Janelle Irwin Taylor
Patrick Bailey, the former Treasurer for the Hillsborough County Republican Party, has been arrested on charges of third-degree grand theft and false entry in books of business.
Bailey is accused of illegally transferring funds and writing himself personal checks from the GOP’s business account. He was arrested Thursday in Brandon by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office’s Economic Crimes Section.
Hillsborough Sheriff’s detectives discovered Bailey had written himself checks from the Hillsborough GOP’s business account and electronically transferred funds to his personal bank account. In all, Bailey is accused of stealing $14,400 from the Hillsborough GOP.
“When someone exploits their position to take what doesn’t belong to them, it hurts the organization and the people who trusted them,” said Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister, also a Republican. “Our detectives worked diligently to uncover the truth and hold this individual accountable. We hope this serves as a reminder that trust and integrity are the foundations of our community, and we are here to protect them.”
A charge of third-degree grand theft is a felony in Florida, and occurs when someone steals something valued at more than $750, but less than $20,000. It carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
The Treasurer position for the Hillsborough County GOP remains vacant, according to the organization’s website. However, Bailey is still listed as the local GOP’s finance contact as of Friday afternoon.
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This is a breaking story, please check back for updates.
4 comments
Paul Passarelli
December 13, 2024 at 5:19 pm
This will be the second Republican scandal I’ve read about in the past two-three weeks. The other one got off without prosecution.
I’m a Libertarian, but for my first 30 years was a registered Republican. My biggest issue with GOP politicians was their inability to do the heavy lifting when they had the opportunity. They always went soft when it came time to push back against the Democrats. They lacked *spines* then they were in power.
Well, no one in the Republican party is going to like me for saying that this guy needs to be prosecuted by the Republican State’s Attorney for the district. But he does, do does the other one, but apparently the decision was made to let it slide.
It’s not that I want to see Republicans punished. What I *REALLY* want is to see corrupt *DEMOCRATS* brought up on charges and *CONVICTED*. But in order to make those crimes get the punishments they deserve, the GOP has to demonstrate that the playing field is level & fair. That means making an example of their own when they commit crimes.
NO POLITICIAN can be allowed a pass on scandal. They need to be held to higher standards.
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Ocean Joe
December 14, 2024 at 10:04 am
Paul, why would no one in the Republican party like you for saying a thief should be prosecuted? Unless you’re coming around to my belief that they’re thick as thieves.
I’m sure that’s not how you feel. You actually think Donald Trump is honest, and that he and his pack of billionaires are going to help the working class. I guess we’ll find out.
Cindy
December 27, 2024 at 6:38 pm
It still about linning my pockets and panhandling your tax dollars to line my pocket some more. And forget the rest.
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