Gov. Charlie Crist and two Cabinet members who sit on a panel that invests state money chastised their top staffer for failing to keep them updated on a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation. But the State Board of Administration on Tuesday also praised Ash Williams' overall performance and unanimously reaffirmed his appointment for another year overseeing more than $130 billion in investments. Crist, Attorney General Bill McCollum and Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink had... Read Full Story
A South Florida lawyer suspected of operating a $1 billion Ponzi scheme is asking for his own disbarment. A Florida Bar committee has approved the disbarment request submitted by attorney Scott Rothstein. A spokeswoman said Wednesday the final decision must be made by the state Supreme Court. The FBI says Rothstein sold investments in legal settlements that did not exist. The total amount lost could top $1 billion. No criminal charges have been filed yet. Once disbarred, Rothstein would no... Read Full Story
Former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, who criticizes Gov. Charlie Crist for being a fan of President Barack Obama's stimulus package, is himself a fan of one of Obama's campaign ads. Rubio's U.S. Senate campaign posted a Web ad criticizing Crist, a fellow Republican also running for the Senate seat. The ad uses the same music, lettering and style of an ad Obama ran against Republican John McCain. The Obama ad pointed out McCain's comment that the fundamentals of the economy are strong... Read Full Story
In a heated race for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, Gov. Charlie Crist keeps moving away from his support of President Barack Obama's stimulus package that the governor called "fantastic" and "remarkable" when lobbying for its passage. Faced with an increasingly difficult primary challenge from former House Speaker Marco Rubio of West Miami, the governor now claims he didn't endorse the $787 billion economic stimulus that included a generous contribution for Florida. "It seems to be... Read Full Story
Gov. Charlie Crist is seeking a special legislative session next month in hopes that lawmakers will approve a commuter rail system in central Florida. Crist has the authority to call a special session, but wants agreement from legislative leaders before doing so. It would likely be scheduled the week of Dec. 7 when legislators are at the Capitol for committee meetings. "It's important to be able to do it sooner than later," Crist said Thursday. Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm... Read Full Story
Former journalist David Klement is getting an early start in his new job as a Florida utility regulator, after Gov. Charlie Crist on Thursday appointed him to immediately succeed Public Service Commissioner Katrina McMurrian. McMurrian resigned from the five-member commission last month after Crist refused to reappoint her and Commission Chairman Matthew Carter. Their terms expire in January. Crist instead appointed two new members without utility backgrounds to an agency that's been hounded... Read Full Story
When Barack Obama came to Florida in February, GOP Gov. Charlie Crist gave him a hug. This time, Crist says he didn't even know the president was in his state. Crist told reporters Tuesday that he wasn't aware Obama was honoring sailors and Marines less than 200 miles from the Capitol on Monday. Crist is running for U.S. Senate and has been trying to distance himself from Obama and the $787 billion federal stimulus bill. His Republican primary opponent frequently reminds voters that Crist... Read Full Story
Democratic heavyweight Bob Butterworth is going to advise Florida Power & Light Co. on its proposal to raise base rates about 30 percent. The utility's announcement Thursday that it had hired the former Florida attorney general adds another political aspect to the rate case. Gov. Charlie Crist, a Republican, has voiced opposition to the FPL increase and a rate hike of similar proportions being sought by Progress Energy Florida. The Public Service Commission this week granted Crist's request... Read Full Story
The Crist/Rubio match up in Florida is heating up with the arrival of new campaign manager Eric Eikenberg in the Crist camp. Via Memeorandum , the National Journal's On Call reports that the Crist campaign is going on the offensive, challenging Rubio's "failure to advance some conservative causes while leading the state House, for spending excessively while in the Speaker's office and for dragging his feet on immigration legislation that many Republicans favored." Eikenberg said, ""Over the... Read Full Story
Embattled Florida State coach Bobby Bowden is getting help from a key supporter: Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. Crist's press office released a statement Saturday from the governor, wishing Bowden luck for the Seminoles' night game against Georgia Tech. It was a highly unusual form of public backing from Crist, a longtime fan who graduated from Florida State in 1978. Typically, his press office sends statements out on significant state events and celebrations of holidays. "As a loyal 'Nole, I... Read Full Story
