Topic: Ethics Investigation

Miami-area lawmaker refuses to pay $1,500 fine that dates back more than a decade for failure to file a financial disclosure form after he lost his job as a legislative aide in 2002. ... Related Research: Dec. 13, 2013 Florida Commission on Ethics meeting materials.

Commissioners expressed frustration that the Miami lawmaker has ignored a fine it levied against Fresen in 2004. It will revisit his case during its December meeting. Fresen had called allegations that he failed to properly disclose his finances baseless political attacks but conceded he made errors on financial disclosure for four consecutive years.

Scott asked the state's ethics commission whether a blind trust he set up to handle his assets meets a new state ethics law. Integrity Florida says the new law doesn't go far enough. ... Related Research: Sept. 13, 2013 Florida Commission on Ethics meeting agenda and meeting materials.

Public records exemption complements the sweeping package he signed May 1. It will keep initial complaints to the Ethics Commission under wraps until a determination has been made on their validity.

Former director of the Florida Commission on Ethics says pending reforms bills don't go far enough to address the issue of cleaning up public corruption.

This week we learned that Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is considering putting state lands under a central managing agency, that Gov. Rick Scott's new education agenda would lift enrollment caps on charter schools, that not all Gulf Coast counties like the Gulf Consortium idea and that even though it's a success, there's no permanent funding source for the war on pill mills.

The case stems from an expenditure listed on a 2008 campaign finance report.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on April 27 requested more information about DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr.'s employment prior to being appointed in January 2011. Environmental groups petitioned for an investigation into a possible conflict of interest under the federal Clean Water Act. DEP has yet to respond but a spokeswoman said the issue is a high priority and is complex. ... Related Research: Documents related to the challenge to Vinyard's qualifications.

Edgar is the longest-serving PSC member, having been appointed first by Gov. Jeb Bush in 2005. The PSC Nominating Council will offer the governor the names of at least three applicants most qualified to be appointed to the commission. ... Related Research: list of applicants to the Florida Public Service Commission.

Watchdog group Integrity Florida says the state led the nation in federal corruption convictions from 2000 to 2010. ... Related Research: Read Integrity Florida's "Corruption Risk Report: Florida Ethics Laws."

Sen. Jim Norman has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing, but could still face fines for failing to disclose a $500,000 Arkansas home his wife purchased with the help of Tampa businessman Ralph Hughes, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Former state GOP Chairman Jim Greer is suing the party, Haridopolos and others for $5 million, while he faces an indictment for charges including theft and money laundering. Haridopolos said the severance agreement was contingent on Greer not having committed any crimes.

This week there's a training session for LobbyTools subscribers, the Florida Legislative Everglades Caucus announces its creation, and the Senate deadline looms for submitting requests for drafts of general bills and joint resolutions.

Legislation would have them reporting to the full Cabinet instead of just to the governor. The change would make IGs more independent, Dockery says