Did Sansom Steer Tax Dollars For Europe Junket To His Then-Employer

NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY

For Immediate Release: December 22, 2008

Did Sansom Steer Tax Dollars For Europe Junket To His Then-Employer

Tallahassee, FL - The Florida Democratic Party today demanded that Governor Charlie Crist stop blocking an FDLE investigation into embattled Speaker Ray Sansom, with new questions about Sansom improperly steering taxpayer dollars to his old company, as well as the St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau reporting that documents show Sansom was allegedly involved in an illegal criminal conspiracy and  massive corruption.  

"First embattled Speaker Ray Sansom was given a $110,000 part-time job with Northwest Florida State College after delivering more than $34 million to the College. Then we learned Sansom is mired in an alleged criminal corruption scandal after funneling $6 million dollars of taxpayer hard earned money to build his friend and major donor Jay Odom a hangar to store his jets. Given Sansom's record, Sansom must prove that he did not improperly steer $150,000 from Enterprise Florida, so his company could send him to visit Charlie Crist on their respective junkets to Europe. To prove that he has the courage to root out corruption in his own party, Charlie Crist needs to stop blocking an FDLE investigation of Sansom and join the Florida Democratic Party in calling on Sansom to resign," said Florida Democratic Party Spokesman Eric Jotkoff.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Sunday that while Gov. Charlie Crist, RPOF Chair Jim Greer, and embattled Speaker Ray Sansom were all on junkets to Europe, "The Republican Party of Florida spent more than $45,000 this summer on chauffeurs, a luxury hotel, meals and attractions in London about the same time Gov. Charlie Crist and others traveled there on a trade mission."

The same article noted that, "At least two party leaders went to London: state Chairman Jim Greer and House Speaker Ray Sansom.  Sansom, through a spokeswoman, referred questions to the party. He told the Sun Sentinel that his former employer, an Alabama electric cooperative, paid for his trip."

A press release from Sansom's company dated May 19, 2008 however shows that Sansom used a taxpayer financed grant for his junket to Europe. Sansom's attempt to deceive the Sun-Sentinel raises questions about his role in obtaining the funding.

When one visit's Sansom's old company's website (which still has him listed as a staff member on their Our Team page) you are told to click on a graphic link to get more info that brings visitors to Florida's Great Northwest.

Sansom, who is listed as a Sustaining Partner on FGN's Executive Committee as well as a Board Member of a member of Florida's Great Northwest:

http://www.floridasgreatnorthwest.com/WhoWeAre/BoardDirectors.html

The press release announcing the grant (copied below) is listed on FGN's website:

http://www.floridasgreatnorthwest.com/PressEvents/20080519-grant.pdf

Yesterday, the St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau confirmed that "Although college officials dispute it, public records show that the airport facility Northwest Florida State College plans to build with tax money secured by House Speaker Ray Sansom is the same hangar Sansom's friend wanted for his jet business."

On December 3, 2008, Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman called on Sansom to resign. On December 9, Thurman demanded that Crist and Attorney General Bill McCollum order FDLE to investigate. Instead, Crist and McCollum have chosen to ignore the facts and allow Republican corruption to fester under their watch.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Florida's Great Northwest

Media Contact: Cristie Kedroski

850.337.3410 (Direct)

850.337.3469 (Office)

FLORIDA'S GREAT NORTHWEST RECEIVES

STATE GRANT FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM

Destin, Florida (May 19, 2008) - Florida's Great Northwest (FGNW) has been awarded a

$150,000 state grant through the Florida International Business Expansion Initiative by Enterprise Florida, Inc. The Florida International Business Initiative grant is a matching grant and is part of Florida's Great Northwest's Northwest Florida International Trade Initiative, an on-going effort to assist local businesses expand their import and export activities as well as attract foreign investment capital to Northwest Florida.

Partially funded by the grant, Florida's Great Northwest will host two outbound trade missions in 2008.

• Farnborough, England (July 14-20) - This trade mission targeting the Aerospace & Defense Industry will be held in conjunction with the Farnborough Air Show. A delegation of eleven economic development professionals including Florida's Great Northwest staff, county economic development organizations from Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Bay, and Leon Counties, and utilities are registered to attend. The economic development professionals are focused on attracting foreign investment to Northwest Florida. Florida's Great Northwest is seeking qualified Northwest Florida aerospace and defense businesses interested in expanding their import and export opportunities to join the delegation. Space is limited.

• Panama City, Panama (November 11-13) - The 3-day trade mission to Panama will focus on international business meetings in the targeted industries of Renewable Energy; Life Sciences (medical devices and medical technologies); Aerospace and Defense; and Transportation and Logistics. Panama is strategic to Florida for a number of reasons.

Historically, the country is a significant trading partner. To facilitate trade development opportunities, one-on-one business meetings with foreign companies will be the primary focus under the EFI grant. Strategically, the expansion of the Panama Canal offers significant increased international commerce as international shippers seek to diversify their ports of entry. To explore opportunities based on the canal expansion, the Panama Mission will also

4471 Legendary Drive, Suite 100 %uF0AD Destin, Florida 32541 USA

Phone: (850) 337-3469 %uF0AD Fax: (850) 337-3418 %uF0AD www.FloridasGreatNorthwest.com

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focus on experiential learning opportunities for the region's rural and urban economic development organizations.

Florida's Great Northwest Chairman Fred Leopold stated, "This is the second year Florida's Great Northwest has received the Enterprise Florida International Business Initiative Grant. This award will allow Northwest Florida to continue to develop its international trade and investment initiatives."

"Two deep-water ports, an extensive rail system and four regional airports make Northwest Florida ripe for international trade. Although all of Northwest Florida is well-positioned for the development of international commerce, the construction of the new international airport in West Bay and the ongoing increases in cargo through the Port of Panama City strategically position the central part of our region to be a hub for international commerce," added Florida's Great Northwest President, Al Wenstrand.

Businesses in the Northwest Florida region are invited to participate in either of the two trade missions. These missions will provide opportunities to make international contacts and meet with foreign businesses interested in trade development and international investment in Northwest Florida. For more information, please contact Cristie Kedroski at (850) 337-3469 or

ckedroski@fgnw.org.

The Florida International Business Expansion Initiative grant was funded by the 2008 Florida Legislature and is administered by Enterprise Florida, Inc., Florida's statewide economic development organization. The grant will be used by Florida's Great Northwest in 2008 to expand international trade development and foreign direct investment activities in Northwest Florida.

About Florida's Great Northwest, Inc.

Florida's Great Northwest is a regional economic development organization serving 16 counties in Northwest Florida from Pensacola through Tallahassee. Florida's Great Northwest provides regional leadership in workforce and economic development, including its primary mission of creating high-wage, high-skill jobs, branding and marketing, as well as supporting the local economic development organizations in the region.

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