Charlie Crist, Scott Rothstein Q&A redux

Here's three day's-worth of Q-and-A between the press (Miami Herald, St. Petersburg Times, Palm Beach Post and Bay News 9) and Gov. Charlie Crist re: His relationship with accused Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein:

Q: Why did Rothstein give you so much money?

A: I think he wanted me to win. I think he thinks I'm a good public servant. I hope that's why.

Q: What was you relationship?  

A: He was a contributor that worked hard.

Q: Was he a friend?

A: We had a friendship

Q: Didn't you fly down to his wedding?  

A: Carole and I went to a wedding reception.

Q: Would you call him a close friend?

A: I'd call him a friend.

Q: What were your first thoughts when you heard the allegations.  

A: I thought it was horrific. When you meet anybody in life and at a later point in life they run into an issue like that it is a tragedy. It's terrible for their family. Imagine you're his mother. It's just very, very sad.

Q: From a practical basis you can't pick and choose the people that donate money to you, can you?  

A: To a degree you can. I think the issue here is what kind of knowledge you had before somebody launched an investigation. None of that had happened yet.

Q: What lessons have you or should you or other candidates learn from the fact that there are these tainted donations you’ve received (e.g., Harry Sargeant, Alan Mendelsohn, Scott Rothstein)?

A: As Alex Sink has learned, as some of my primary opponents have learned, you do the best that you can. And I’m the kind of person who gives a person the benefit of the doubt and had no reason to believe there would be any problems with any of those people until after those problems surfaced.

Q: When’s the last time you spoke to Rothstein:

A: It's been weeks, at least

Q: Can you describe your relationship with him?

A: He had supported me like he did many others, I think CFO Sink and many people. That's about the extent of it.

Q Why not return all the contributions from any of Rothstein’s partners?

A: Are there allegations against those other people? Not that I'm aware of. Fair enough?

Q: Did you consult with Rothstein on South Florida issues?

A: No.

Q: Did you consult with Rothstein, Mendelsohn and Sargeant on a daily or weekly basis during your 2006 governor’s campaign?

A: No

Q: What’s the connection between public corruption and money?

A: You have to look at those things on a case –by-case basis to be fair. And that’s the only way to tell, honestly.

Q:  What is your statement about Scott Rothstein, the firm and those who were allegedly fleeced?

A: It’s still unfolding, in all candor. It certainly doesn’t look good. And I know the prosecutors will do the right thing.

-- Marc Caputo

Comments

[ipso facto]

It would be nice to see the dates on these, and who they were said to.

[Vern]

This needs to be investigated !!!

Ever notice he is always on the run and can"t answer questions???

That is a man who has something to hide !

[Another Crist Crony Tom Wheeler in the mix]

They really need to fuly investigate Crist and all his cronies who got pay-to-play money from Rothstein

Rothstein Accomplice Still On Lam

By Roger Stone

Rothstein
Bill Brock was introduced to everyone at the RRA law firm as Rothstein's uncle, although whether that is true is unknown. What is known is that Brock's job at RRA was to issue checks for Rothstein's various ventures and contributions. Brock had the sole security pass for the area where records of Rothstein's non-law firm businesses where kept - other than Rothstein himself.

Where is Uncle Bill? If this is what Rothstein is going to plea-bargain with, he is an even worse lawyer than he is a businessman. $16 million is a pittance when you've stolen $500 million.

My own disillusionment with Rothstein began in the final days of the 2008 race for Broward County Sheriff. I agreed to help appointed Sheriff Al Lamberti at a private meeting in the projection room of Rothstein's home in which Lamberti Aides, Tom Wheeler and David Benjamin, asked for my help. "We're cops," said Wheeler. "We don't know anything about getting elected."

Rothstein arranged for a contribution from his partner Tony Bova to a pro-Lamberti electioneering campaign committee. I believe that contribution to be perfectly legal. Democrat Scott Israel should have been an easy victor in the 6-1 Democratic County which Obama carried by a record 350,000 votes.

Imagine my shock when days before the election RRA lawyers Stuart Rosenfeldt and David Boden contributed $180,000 to an electioneering campaign supporting Democrat Scott Israel. I am certain the money was a pass through from Rothstein as neither lawyer has that kind of wealth.

With a skillful and perfectly executed campaign, Lamberti won the overwhelming Democrat ic county, which required 350,000 voters to switch to the Republican line after voting for Obama. Rothstein never explained the double-cross. Lamberti knew Rothstein tried to screw him at the last minute. Rothstein blamed the contributions on Ken Jenne which was ridiculous as Rothstein had never relied on Jenne's political advice before.

Scott Israel and Scott Rothstein lost.

It was in November of last year that I retained a private investigator to try to determine the source of Rothstein's wild spending. Upon entering a room, Rothstein was like Rodney Dangerfield at the country club in Caddyshack, throwing money around, tipping parking valets $100 and generally acting like a douche. The investigator advised me that Rothstein's money had to becoming from private ventures and not from the law-firm and he doubted any of it was Rothstein's.

Although Rothstein complained bitterly when Florida GOP Chairman spent party funds on lavish food, drinks, limousines, luxury jet travel, five-star resorts, premium cigars and five-star restaurants, he still gave the RPOF $100,000 in January of 2009 when Governor Crist, who now claims he barely knew Rothstein, called and asked for it. Chump.

The last straw was Rothstein's unilateral decision to support Democrat Alex Sink for Governor. Rothstein insisted I had to support Sink and told me he had a commitment from Sink that he and Broward money man Austin Foreman would "pick all her gubernatorial appointments" and "all the judges." I declined to support Sink who is a disaster as a candidate and would be no better as Governor.

[Scary]

Imagine you're his mother?

[Maybe press should interview Roger Stone]

Maybe press should interview Roger Stone. He worked for Rothstein and seems know to more than what Crist is saying

...........
Although Rothstein complained bitterly when Florida GOP Chairman spent party funds on lavish food, drinks, limousines, luxury jet travel, five-star resorts, premium cigars and five-star restaurants, he still gave the RPOF $100,000 in January of 2009 when Governor Crist, who now claims he barely knew Rothstein, called and asked for it. Chump.
.............

[Randall Stevens]

And unless there is evidence to the contrary, what is wrong with those responses?

[Ask Roger]

Did Rothstein really charge people $50,000 to get a meeing with Gov. Crist?

[mmm]

who is stone calling a chump? crist or rothstein?

It's a full time job trying to keep up with the Rothstein saga and all of Crist's negative press of late.. but it sure is entertaining.

[Andy Boy]

So Rothstein double crossed Stone and the GOP in the Sheriff's race and again when he went for DEM Sink in the Governor's race. Looks to me like Stone tipped the FEDS. Same trick he did to Eliot Spitzer !

[tired]

Does the name Louis Pearlman ring a bell.Look at the people he hangs with. As long as you have the money he will take it. He does't care who you are.

[hmmmm]

Tom Wheeler was at Crist's birthday party with Rothstein. Tom's daughter, Amanda, is now the Finance Director at RPOF. Someone should investigate all these ties....