Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineApril 21, 2017

The Florida Commission on Ethics voted unanimously Friday to resist efforts by House and Senate leaders to exert control over its hiring, firing, travel, and other business, citing fears for its independence. The panel agreed to back Chairman Matthew Carlucci in rejecting a “delegation of authority” issued on March 21 by House Speaker Richard Corcoran […]

Jim RosicaMarch 28, 2017

State Rep. Cary Pigman did not misuse his official position to retaliate against a school principal in his district, an administrative law judge ruled this week. In a 22-page order, Judge June C. McKinney recommended that the Florida Commission on Ethics dismiss its case against the Avon Park Republican, first elected in 2012. He still faces a DUI […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 1, 2017

Three Florida lobbying concerns are being reported to Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet for incorrectly tallying their income, the Florida Commission on Ethics said Wednesday. In at least two of the cases, however, the errors were basic accounting mistakes. Lobbyists’ compensation is subject to random audits, some of which are reviewed by the commission. In […]

Michael MolineJanuary 3, 2017

Former state Sen. Steven Geller marked his election to the Broward County Commission in November by resigning from the Greenspoon Marder law firm and launching a solo legal and lobbying practice. Geller had been warned that under the Florida Commission on Ethics’ interpretation of state law, his continued presence at Greenspoon could prevent any of the […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 3, 2017

I have been reading in dismay about Monday’s vote in the House of Representatives on changes to the Office of Congressional Ethics. These changes will potentially have the impact of eliminating investigations and reviews of unethical behavior by those holding office on the federal level. As a matter of fact, because this proposal has been moved […]

Michael MolineDecember 7, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court has declined to hear former Florida House member David Rivera’s appeal of a recommendation he pay nearly $60,000 in penalties for alleged ethical violations. Chief Justice Jorge Larbarga and justices Barbara Pariente, Peggy Quince and James E.C. Perry signed an order dated Tuesday declining to hear the case. Justice Fred Lewis voted […]

Jim RosicaOctober 21, 2016

The Florida Commission on Ethics has approved an opinion that Tena Pate, former chair of the state’s parole panel, is not subject to the state’s two-year lobbying ban on high-level employees. Commissioners unanimously OK’d the staff-written advisory opinion at their Friday meeting. She did not appear. The document finds Pate would be banned from “representing persons or entities for compensation” before the Florida Commission […]

Jim RosicaOctober 6, 2016

A proposed Florida Commission on Ethics opinion says Tena Pate, former chair of the state’s parole panel, is not subject to the state’s two-year lobbying ban on high-level employees. A staff-written advisory opinion, released Friday, will be considered for approval at the commission’s Oct. 21 meeting. Pate chaired the Florida Commission on Offender Review, formerly known as the Florida Parole […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 14, 2016

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State Rep. Cary Pigman was slammed by the state’s ethics board Wednesday after accusations of an extramarital affair, “obscene gestures” and other intimidation. The Florida Commission on Ethics found probable cause to believe that Pigman “link(ed) his efforts to obtain legislative funding for the School District to retaliate or attempt to retaliate against an employee” of the […]

Jim RosicaJuly 29, 2016

The Florida Commission on Ethics says a legislative bill drafting staff director isn’t covered by the state’s lobbying ban on some state workers. The commission approved a staff-written advisory opinion at its meeting Friday. Joseph Gillespie, the staff director of the House of Representatives Bill Drafting Service, requested the opinion last month. The office’s bill drafters write the first […]

Tag: Florida Commission on Ethics
Rodney Guttman, image via University of West Florida.

Ethics commission bucks legislative leaders’ assertion of authority

Cary Pigman cleared in state ethics case

Lobbying firms misreported income, ethics panel finds

Steven Geller leaves Greenspoon Marder, cites ethics requirement

Matt Carlucci: Office of Congressional Ethics is more important than ever

Supreme Court won’t hear David Rivera’s appeal in ethics case

State ethics panel OKs Tena Pate to lobby

Draft opinion says Tena Pate not banned from lobbying

Ethics panel finds probable cause that Cary Pigman “misused his position”

Ethics Commission clears staff director for lobbying