Scandal brewing? Fake Twitter account tied to RPOF

A fake Twitter account aimed at discrediting a prominent critic of state GOP leaders appears to have been linked back to a senior official at the Republican Party of Florida. Brevard County Republican Chairman Jason Steele says three months after discovering someone was tweeting inflammatory messages using his name and his picture, law enforcement investigators have determined the account was created on a computer in the home of Tim Nungesser, who last month was promoted to director of the party's field operations department.

"Tim Nungesser is no longer with the RPOF,'' party spokesman Katie Gordon Betta said in an e-mail yesterday.

Buzz is awaiting more response from the state party, but Steele says Nungesser told him the party's executive director, Delmar Johnson, had been long aware of the fake Twitter account and laughed it off. The party denies that.

"Tim is a young man who made a mistake. I don't want to see him prosecuted. I want to see Delmar Johnson and Jim Greer resign from the Republican party,'' said Steele, who was put on probation earlier this year for sending e-mails critical of party actions. "I am sick about this. This is not about me, It's about the Republican party of the state of Florida cleaning up its act and doing the right thing and getting back on a positive footing so people have confidence in the party again."

Steele said he has recently informed Gov. Charlie Crist and Attorney General Bill McCollum about the matter, urging them to step in. "All of this deception and all of these dirty tricks have got to stop. I truly believe Charlie Crist, once he learns of all this stuff, will ask for the chairman's resignation."

The state GOP released a statement: "RPOF recently learned that several months ago an RPOF employee may have established and used a Twitter account under the name Jason Steele.  RPOF investigated the matter and determined that while the activity was done without the knowledge or approval of the RPOF or any RPOF employees and did not involve the use of RPOF computers, the activity is totally unacceptable.  We have taken all appropriate action and the employee has been terminated. This is a continuation of a long-standing political feud between those Brevard County individuals involved and is not in any way connected with the Republican Party of Florida."

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Comments

[ufalumni]

Are the spelling errors Steele or Buzz?

[joey greenfield]

What is the big deal,this is just how things work now.
People don't care if an outright lie is looking them in the eye,its the manor you attack any person who dares point out these tactics.
Any person that would claim these tactics are wrong are NOT good Americans,you will see those comments coming from the anti Patriotic socialists in the Democrat party.

[RPOF worker]

Timmy is going to have to resign. Just fire Greer (R-AMEX) and Delmar and maybe RPOF can regain some credibility!!

[Snowfall N. Florida]

yeah, sure, like his demands mean much.

[Coach]

One would think that the Dem hacks who manage this site realize that Dems wrote the book on astroturfing.

[Told you so]

ONCE AGAIN, Greer and his fat boys' motive of destroying the state party to benefit one person (Charlie) comes to light. I'll ask, ONCE AGAIN, what is it going to take to get them out of office and save our party?

Tim is a great guy. It just goes to show how toxic the building and most of the people in it are.

[RPOF is a disaster]

The RPOF under Delmar has been an absolute disaster...its been one thing after another. Talk about not being ready for prime time. Truthfully though its not really his fault, he's just not up for the job. He should have never gotten the job in the first place. Just one more poor decision by ol' Jim Greer.

[.]

Charlie Crist won't do a thing because of his buddy Greer. Maybe McCollum will actually do something but unless and until something is done about the idiots running the RPOF that are tied to Charlie Crist, this kind of crap will continue.

[Randall Stevens]

Anyone have the Tweets? It would be interesting to see what internal RPOF staff were saying...

[terminator]

talk about a bunch of bumbling idiots.
these guys are like Moe, Larry and Curly.
you've got to laugh. Is this the best the RPOF can do?

[Appalled GOP member]

Real nice scapegoating by Greer and Johnson. Nungesser is taking the fall to cover their own butts. Real classy. Does anyone honestly think Nungesser went rogue and did this himself? He's being fired for obeying his bosses. Greer and Johnson should resign now!

[AJDorsey]

I shall miss talking with Tim.

Whether Tim was asked to form this fake twitter account, or took that action on his own, it is definitely just another indicator of favoritism being portrayed by what is supposed to be an overall neutral (pro-Republican) organization.

[Liz]

Man, I feel so bad for Tim. I have a hard time believing that Delmar or Jeremy or someone else didn't know about the account and even participate in what to say.

Tim was a good kid. Just bought into Greer's kool aide a little too heavily.

[In the Know]

When the RPOF executive board heres about this, it will not be well taken. I know some of them and this could be the straw that will finally break the back of this nonsense. This reminds me of watergate where the cover up is worse than the crime. I hope they prosecute him and he turns states evidence. General McCollum, it is time for you to step up and demand answers and let the heads roll of the ones that are destroying the RPOF!

[Sim]

Wow, the Florida Republicans have some pretty stupid people in their leadership. If they did not realize that it would take all of 2 minutes to figure out who set up a fake Twitter account then they are not qualified to lead anything in the modern world.

[Dave]

Republicans doing something shady?

At least this time it doesn't involve gay sex for a change.

[Moths to a Flame]

What is it with Greer, Delmar and the RPOF and the internet deception? First we have the secret Marco attack by Rich Heffley a consultant that received $250,000 from the RPOF, has an office in the RPOF building and supports Crist. Now we have a RPOF staffer that creates a bogus twitter account that demeans a County Chairman that by the way Greer does not like and is not necessary supporting Crist.

Somehow we are all supposed to believe that Greer and all his boys conveniently don't know anything about all these dirty tricks..sorry no one is buying that, Greer.

This is a really sad period in a great state party's history.

[joey greenfield]

"One would think that the Dem hacks who manage this site realize that Dems wrote the book on astroturfing.

Posted by: Coach | November 04, 2009 at 12:57 PM"
Hey how about the guy who's wife said acorn operatives wearing acorn shirts were at a hospital,This could not be confirmed!!!
This is in of course the race lost by the pubs,don't see the Democrats doing this!
How hard would it be to confirm this?
These people were not hiding according to this second hand source,these people were handing out pamphlets and talking to all the bed ridden people.
So the person reporting this did NOT see anyone nor could a journalist confirm with any other eye witnesses??? Come on this is below lame.
BTW,this story has been picked up by several extremists outlets so I am guessing that's why there is no need to confirm or back up this story.
More Republican corruption? Well duhhhh.

[Bobby Bowden]

I will decide who will be the new Chairman and Executive Director of RPOF

[John]

So somebody working for RPOF, on RPOF time and win an RPOF computer engaged in IDENTITY THEFT?

The Attorney General needs to denounce this and prosecute those involved in this identity theft to the fullest extent of the law.

[True Republican]

HEH HEH HEH Just a good old republican having some innocent fun so back off. Greer just makes me smile and you all should laugh with us. We don't mean any harm we just need you fools to vote for us.

[GatorSphere]

Fake president tied to Democrats.

[Rank and File GOP]

I suppose it is safe to assume that every single campaign across the state is wrapped up and safely in Republican hands. This MUST be the case, because clearly, the fine folks at RPOF have NOTHING to do with their time except play around on the internet creating anonymous websites and fake twitter accounts.

I just have one request: For the love of the Pete, if you're going to waste time creating fake websites to attack people, COULD YOU AT LEAST ATTACK DEMOCRATS INSTEAD OF REPUBLICANS?!?!?!

There is a target-rich environment out there (Sink, Gelber, Meek, etc...) but RPOF only seems to have time to slander, attack and discredit other Republicans!

[State Committee member]

Chairman Greer took the proper steps to remove Tim. The RPOF has bigger issues to tackle and needs to get serious people focused on doing the work needed to win the 2010 elections. The first step is to b uild a statewide e-mail database that will allow us to turnout the vote. Make sure this is sucessful and we will see some exciting things happen. Thank you for leading Chairman Greer

[OR]

4:10 = Cynthia Henderson

[Michelle O Has Backhair]

Excellent job of journalism SPT! A "possible" twitter scandal on the GOP, but where were you on Acorn, Tides Foundation, Free Press, Czar appointments, on and on and on. The problem is that when your head is in the sand, something else is in the air and that pretty much sums up where you stand as an organization.

[Enough is enough: Greer and the fat boys need to go!]

"Thank you for leading Chairman Greer"

With a "leader" like Greer, who needs enemies?

[*]

Proof that twitter can ruin your career. Looks like those MSN and Yahoo articles were right.

[THE Prime Minister]

The real question is when will someone flush these turds down the toilet bowl. Crist will not stand for removal of Greer and Company because they spend their days tweeting & attacking his rivals. Since Crist will not do it, all Republicans need to ask Bill McCollum "Will you allow Jim Greer and the current upper management of RPOF to remain IF you are elected Governor?" It should be a condition of every good Republican that prior to agreeing to support McCollum he state publicly whether or not he will clean house at the RPOF if elected. If he cannot even address this issue, then he lacks the leadership to address important issues. A new broom sweeps clean.

[Ned]

Greer has got to go. This is unacceptable. You get bad apples from a infected tree. Stakes are too great in 2010 to get caught up in this nonsense. With Greer at the helm, the RPOF is becoming a rudderless and leaderless ship. Turn in your AMEX card and the keys to the building. Now more than ever, we need a change at the RPOF. Carole Jean please come home.

[over the cowards who blog]

Okay, let me get this straight, you don't like Greer because he is Charlie's guy, but you want McCollum, who is no longer the heir apparent by the way, to pick his own guy? Also, complain about issues, don't attack people, call them fat, etc. We would all make fun of you all too if we could see you in your undies as you blog in your Momma's basements.

[AWW COME-ON]

Do you mean to tell us that the GOP has been playing dirty?

The next thing you will tell me that they stole the election for " W " in Florida.

You should be ashamed to even suggest that the Family First, bible thumping, homophobic, racist, protector of our morals party would stoop so low.

AWW COME- ON. stop kidding.

[THE Prime Minister]

8:19, you're obviously Greer, an RPOF staffer of a Crist/Greer sychophant. If you are a staffer do not worry, it won't be too long before we have a NEW Chairman.

Ahh.....Nothing lasts forever. Even the longest, the most glittering reign must come to an end someday.

As the Palace Court jesters, clowns, bafoons, and supplicants text & tweet to all their gossipy outside friends word gets out about how mismanaged RPOF is. How the Victory Fund was set up so that Greer and company can't live large anymore.

Those of us who have fought hard to build this Party over the past 30 years remember the days when the GOP was in the minority. Now you all have lived like fat hogs at the trough. But one this about power and status..."it's fleeting." Several RPOF staffers know this, and have already been leaking important information. The HQ and it's Chairman are under siege from all sides. One by one like rats jumping ship the Staffers will continue to leak how bad it is.

Prepare thy resumes! Your mortgages must be paid and your careers are at a dead end and you will have to move on from your RPOF jobs. Get out while you can and still have some dignity left.

Those of us who have worked hard for the GOP will ask McCollum the question: Will you remove the parasites from the infested RPOF??

[Tim Stamper]

Hey Bill McCollum what's up with all the Crist hangers on, who have now signed up for your County Committees? Are you going to run the same game as Crist/Greer for the next 4 years? or are you a "new kind of leader?"

[Tim Stamper]

Hey Bill McCollum what's up with all the Crist hangers on, who have now signed up for your County Committees? Are you going to run the same game as Crist/Greer for the next 4 years? or are you a "new kind of leader?"

[Likely republican voter]

Amen to 7:13

I will not vote for McCollum till Greer resigns or McCollum says whether or not Greer will be chairman if he is elected governor.

[Urquart]

The evidence that McCollum is weak and going to follow in the footsteps of Crist and keep Greer as RPOF Chairman: He has appointed Crist operatives to all of his McCollum County Campaign Committees as Chairs and Vice Chairs. The Crist/Greer cronies are now taking over the McCollum County Campaign Committees to preserve their government jobs or their lobbying connections. McCollum promised Greer he could stay Chairman as long as Greer endorsed him. They are using McCollum to stay in power at RPOF. McCollum will be another 4 years of Greer and corruption.

[THE Prime Minister]

If that's so, it's even more of a reason to demand that McCollum publicly announce whether he intends to keep Greer & Company on at RPOF if he is elected Governor.

[A former Democrat, now NPA]

It is hilarious to read the backbiting and squabbling of the various shades of Republicans on this blog. One might think that the mighty Republican colossus is showing strains of weakness.

My advice to Republicans is not to worry. You still have your secret weapon, the Florida Democratic Party.

I may have changed to NPA, but I cannot imagine going all the way to the dark side. I do thank you all, however, for the funny stories. It rivals Doonsberry.

[LOL]

It's amazing how so many on this forum don't understand how things work or what's really going on in the real world.

Crist is about ready to unload on Rubio to the point that he'll beg to be allowed to switch to the AG's race. When Republican voter's, and I mean Conservatives too, find out about all of Rubio's baggage and dealings, they will run from his campaign. Crist has been a good Governor and a star on the national scene. Along with being a good fiscal conservative.

As far as Eikenberg goes, for those attacking him, he is a smart guy and is going to be a great campaign manager. RPOF Chairman Greer is a Crist loyalist personally but has helped McCollum get to where he is while trying to deal with the wingnuts and win elections.

I'm voting for Crist and I am going to work hard to support him.