Ray Sansom

Last updated

Ray Sansom
Rep. Ray Sansom.jpg
95th Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives
In office
November 18, 2008 March 2, 2009

Prior to his election to the Florida House of Representatives, Sansom served on the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners from 1992 to 2000. He received the Okaloosa County Management Association's Presidents Award in 1999. [3]

In 2008, Sansom was one of the driving forces pushing to create an "oversight board for community colleges that emphasizes undergraduate education". This proposal received resistance from some community college presidents who were not for the change and also from private colleges who offered 4-year degrees on these community college campuses. [9]

Also in 2008, Sansom was appointed Vice President for Development and Planning at NWF State College - his former alma mater from his hometown. The college's Board of Trustees appointed Sansom to this position. This was the same week Sansom was sworn in as the Florida Speaker of the House. [10]

In response to his appointment, Sansom said, "The work that I will be doing at Northwest Florida State College is something I've been preparing for throughout my career. I'm honored and excited to be associated with an institution that's at the forefront of educating the workforce that will sustain the economy of northwest Florida well into the future. Beyond that, it means a lot to me to return to an institution that my wife and I both attended as students and that enabled me to get a college education. Throughout my time in the Legislature, I have tried to help the college grow and prosper, precisely because its success is so important to the future of our region." [11]

One of his duties, as outlined by College President Bob Richburg, would be to assist with "...formalizing agreements with local governments for training emergency personnel and for the use of the college's Community Services Complex during times of natural disaster. The 120,000 square--foot facility, currently under construction on the college's Niceville campus, will house the Okaloosa County 911 Emergency Operations Center, college athletic and instructional programs, and serve as the county's primary hurricane shelter. Sansom's new role will include leading the conferencing and training efforts of the college, including statewide training opportunities related to the joint use facility." [11]

However, it was this appointment and specifically, this area of his responsibility, that would subsequently raise questions and eventually create the controversy the resulted in Sansom's decision to resign.

Scandal and resignation

In December 2008, an unnamed resident of Clearwater, Florida, filed a complaint against now Speaker of the House Sansom asserting that over a period of two years he had secured about $35 million in extra or accelerated funding for Northwest Florida State College in spite or other statewide budget cuts. The college then rewarded Sansom with a $110,000 a year job as vice president of development. [12] [13]

According to the Orlando Sentinel , part of that state funding was a $6 million appropriation for an "education facility" for Northwest Florida State College. However, several Florida newspapers alleged that the money actually went to pay his salary as a new vice president, and build an aircraft hangar on state land to house jet aircraft for a political campaign contributor. [12]

On January 6, 2009, at the urging of Republican leaders, Sansom resigned from his post as vice president of development at Northwest Florida State College amidst statewide criticism. [14]

On January 10, 2009, Rep. Sansom wrote an open letter, published in his district's newspaper, the Northwest Florida Daily News, to clarify his position. [15]

On January 30, under growing pressure from his fellow Republicans, Sansom announced that under a little-known House rule, he would temporarily "recuse" himself from his authority as Speaker. Under that rule, Speaker Pro Tem Larry Cretul, Sansom's roommate while the House is in session, would serve as Speaker in Sansom's absence. [16] [17]

In April 2009, a grand jury indicted Speaker of the House Ray Samson, president of Northwest Florida State College Bob Richburg and businessman and political campaign contributor Jay Odom. They were charged with official misconduct, a third-degree felony which could result in a five-year prison sentence.

On February 21, Sansom resigned as Speaker of the House and his seat as a State Representative under threat of expulsion by the Republican House, on the eve of the beginning of his trial for misconduct. Charges were dismissed, appealed, and dismissed again, until all charges were dismissed. [17]

Speaker Pro Temp Cretul was unanimously elected his successor, and was formally elected Speaker on March 3, the first day of the regular legislative session. [4]

Criminal case

A circuit judge dismissed most of the charges in October and an appellate court reaffirmed the judge's ruling on the last day of 2009. [18]

After losing the appeal on the first round of charges, on January 6, 2010, the Leon County State Attorney Willie Meggs charged the trio with grand theft and conspiracy. Attorneys for Sansom and his co-defendants in the criminal trial - former college President Bob Richburg and developer Jay Odom - wanted Meggs removed from the case for "prosecutorial misconduct". [19]

March 28, 2011, Prosecutors dropped all charges against former House Speaker Ray Sansom and Odem. The abrupt decision to abandon the case followed a statement by Circuit Judge Terry Lewis that he didn’t believe prosecutors had made any progress in their attempt to prove a conspiracy. [7] [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Kottkamp</span> American politician

Jeffrey D. Kottkamp is an American politician, lawyer, and arbitrator from the State of Florida. He served as the state's 17th Lieutenant Governor from 2007 until 2011. A member of the Republican Party, Kottkamp previously served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2006

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Sikes</span> American politician

Robert Lee Fulton Sikes was an American politician of the Democratic Party who represented the Florida Panhandle in the United States House of Representatives from 1941 to 1979, with a brief break in 1944 and 1945 for service during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northwest Florida State College</span> Public college in Niceville, Florida, United States

Northwest Florida State College is a public college in Niceville, Florida. It is part of the Florida College System and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Northwest Florida State College has multiple campuses but has operated continuously on its Niceville campus since 1963. The college also operates a charter high school, the Collegiate High School at Northwest Florida State College, which opened in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Cretul</span> American politician

Larry Cretul is a Florida real estate broker and Republican politician who served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives from 2009 to 2010. He represented House District 22, based in Ocala, from 2002 to 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Albritton</span> American politician

Ben Albritton is a Republican politician, current member of the Florida Senate and a former member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 56th District, which includes DeSoto County, Hardee County, and southwestern Polk County, from 2012 to 2018. Albritton previously represented the 66th District from 2010 to 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Broxson</span> American politician

Douglas Vaughn Broxson is an American politician who is a Republican member of the Florida Senate, representing the 1st district, which includes Escambia, Santa Rosa, and part of Okaloosa Counties in the Florida Panhandle, since 2016. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives, representing northern Okaloosa County and Santa Rosa County from 2010 to 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Rudy Wallace</span> American politician in Florida (born 1954)

Peter Rudy Wallace is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives from 1994 to 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Corcoran</span> American politician (born 1965)

Richard Michael Corcoran is an American politician who was speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. A Republican, Corcoran represented the 37th district, which includes central Pasco County, from 2012 to 2018, and previously represented the 45th district from 2010 to 2012. From 2019 to 2022, Corcoran was the state's education commissioner. In 2023, he became president of the New College of Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Florida Commissioner of Agriculture election</span>

The 2018 Florida Commissioner of Agriculture election occurred on November 6, 2018, to elect the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam was term-limited and could not seek a third consecutive term. Democrat Nikki Fried narrowly defeated Republican Matt Caldwell. Fried became the only statewide elected Democrat in Florida, as U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, who had held Florida's Class I U.S. Senate seat since 2000, lost reelection. As of 2023, this remains the last time that a Democrat has won a statewide election in Florida, and the only time since 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank White (Florida politician)</span> American politician

Frank White is an American attorney and politician who served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2016 until 2018. He represented southern Escambia County, including the city of Pensacola.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Andrade</span> American politician from Florida

Robert Alexander Andrade is a Republican member of the Florida Legislature representing the state's 2nd House district, which includes parts of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Byron Donalds</span> American politician (born 1978)

Byron Lowell Donalds is an American politician and financial professional serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 19th congressional district since 2021. His district includes much of Southwest Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spencer Roach</span> American politician from Florida

Lal Spencer Roach, III is a Republican member of the Florida Legislature representing the state's 79th House district, which includes part of Lee County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toby Overdorf</span> American politician from Florida (born 1969)

Tobin Rogers "Toby" Overdorf is a Republican member of the Florida Legislature representing the state's 85th House district, which includes parts of Martin and St. Lucie counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida's 4th House of Representatives district</span> American legislative district

Florida's 4th House district elects one member of the Florida House of Representatives. The district is represented by Patt Maney. This district is located in the Florida Panhandle, and encompasses part of the Emerald Coast, as well as part of the Crestview metropolitan area. The district covers southern Okaloosa County. The largest city in the district is Crestview. As of the 2010 census, the district's population is 158,781.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robin Bartleman</span> American politician and educator

Robin Bartleman is an American legislator and educator serving as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 103rd district. She assumed office on November 3, 2020. She is a Democrat, supporting affordable housing, resolving the state's property insurance crisis, dealing with flooding and increasing healthcare affordability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fred Hawkins (politician)</span> Florida politician

Fred Hawkins is an American politician who served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2020 until his resignation in 2023, representing parts of Central Florida around Osceola, Orange, and Polk Counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joel Rudman</span> American politician

Dr. Joel Rudman is an American politician and physician who currently serves as a state representative for the 3rd district in the Florida House of Representatives. Rudman resides in Navarre, his legislative district's largest community, and is a member of the Republican Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carolina Amesty</span> American politician in Florida

Carolina Amesty is an American politician serving as a member of the Florida House of Representatives for the 45th district. She assumed office on November 8, 2022. Carolina won the Republican primary with 45% of the votes in a five-way race. Her main opponent was Allie Braswell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dixie Sansom</span> American politician

Dixie Newton Sansom is an American politician in the state of Florida. A Republican, she was a member of the Florida House of Representatives for the 32nd district between 1984 and 1992. She ran for the United States House of Representatives in 1992 to represent Florida's 15th district, although she lost in the Republican primary. She later worked as executive director of the Medical Society of Brevard County, director of communications for the Division of Community Colleges and director of governmental relations and public affairs for the Canaveral Port Authority. She founded The Sansom Group/Dixie Sansom Government Relations Consulting in 2006.

References

  1. "Our Campaigns - FL State House 004 Race - Nov 05, 2002".
  2. "Ray Sansom - 2008 - 2010 ( Speaker Cretul )". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Ray Sansom - 2008 - 2010 ( Speaker Cretul )". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Fla. House Speaker Ray Sansom Resigns Archived 2009-02-07 at the Wayback Machine . Associated Press via WFOR-TV, 2009-02-03
  5. McLaughlin, Tom. Sansom says resignation was his decision alone. The (Panama City) News Herald , 2009-02-03.
  6. "Palm Beach Post accessed August 23, 2010" . Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  7. 1 2 Alex Leary (March 26, 2011). "Case against Ray Sansom and Jay Odom is dropped". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 11, 2012.
  8. 1 2 Steve Bousquet (May 15, 2018). "A decade after scandal, Ray Sansom plots comeback". tampabay.com.
  9. "Tampa Tribune Article" . Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  10. "NWF College Official Web Site" . Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  11. 1 2 "NWF College Official Press Release" . Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  12. 1 2 Miami Herald [ dead link ]
  13. Miami Herald [ dead link ]
  14. Gulf Breezen News [ dead link ]
  15. Florida News [ dead link ]
  16. Leary, Alex; Steve Bosquet and Marc Caputo. State House is in chaos as Sansom steps aside. St. Petersburg Times , 2009-01-30.
  17. 1 2 "Florida legislator forced to resign jumps back into politics". apnews.com. January 10, 2019.
  18. Leary, Alex: "Sansom charges in airport deal escalate to grand theft" St. Petersburg Times, 2010-01-07
  19. Herald Tribune [ dead link ]