Oops! Another GOPer biting the dust?
Exclusive: Florida GOP Congressman Vern Buchanan Facing Seven Legal Complaints, Accusations Of Wrongdoing From Employees
John S. Friedman | August 19, 2008 02:22 PM
Vern Buchanan, the Republican fundraiser who took over Katherine Harris's seat in southern Florida, is the fourth richest man in Congress. With assets including some fifteen auto dealerships in Florida and elsewhere, properties in several states, and offshore companies, his net worth is estimated to be well over $100 million.
First elected to Congress in 2006 by only 369 votes after a controversial recount, Buchanan is currently in a tight rematch with Democrat Christine Jennings.
But this former co-chair of the Republican National Finance Committee and top fundraiser for Jeb
Bush and Senator Mel Martinez may find his career derailed by seven civil suits that were filed against him, his executives, and his dealerships over the past three months in Sarasota County and Pasco County courts.
The explosive allegations indicate that Buchanan and his dealership employees may have taken part in conspiracy, fraud, and retaliatory personnel actions. The plaintiffs, mainly former employees, describe incidents in which Buchanan and his staff appear to have violated campaign finance laws, hired undocumented workers, bilked customers, threatened employees, sent fraudulent information to banks, and misappropriated funds. Additional lawsuits are expected soon.
On August 13, the Florida Democratic Party called on the FBI and other authorities to investigate the allegations that Buchanan violated the law. But the lawsuits do not appear to be a partisan hit job. Three of the former employees who filed lawsuits--Joe Kezer, Carlo Bell, and Willie Lee--are longtime Republicans, while two others, Scott Russ and Richard Thomas, are political independents. The sixth and final plaintiff, Jeffrey Sutton, was never an employee of Buchanan's and his political affiliation could not be confirmed.
Some of these allegations have trickled into the local Florida media in recent weeks, but a fresh investigation by The Huffington Post of internal company documents, public records, and interviews with key players buttresses the plaintiffs' charges and provides a more detailed--and shocking--picture of Buchanan's apparently extensive wrongdoing.
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