Odom Indicted

beachFool · 05-28-2009, 07:40 AM

Grand jury convenes in Tallahassee | state, jury, hearing - News - Northwest Florida Daily News

It appears the Republican franchise is, hmmm, a bit tainted.

Quote:

A Leon County grand jury added an additional count of perjury Wednesday to the official misconduct charge state Rep. Ray Sansom already faces.

It also indicted prominent local developer Jay Odom for official misconduct.

Both charges are felonies. Read the indictments for Sansom, Richburg and Odom »

The indictments came from the same panel that indicted Sansom and Northwest Florida State College President Bob Richburg on April 17. It was its final act as a grand jury.

The panel took action after hearing testimony from two witnesses and reviewing documents State Attorney Willie Meggs said were obtained from Northwest Florida State College after Richburg left the school.

Richburg stepped down from his post April 20 after he was indicted. The college's board of trustees later fired him.
Odom joins Sansom and Richburg in facing a charge of official misconduct.

Sansom, R-Destin, the former House Speaker, now faces the same charges as Richburg. Both men are accused of perjuring themselves in testimony given to the grand jury.

Meggs, the state attorney for Florida's Second Judicial Circuit, presented the new evidence.

"We got some new documents from the school," Meggs revealed as the grand jury was deliberating Wednesday. "I don't know if they didn't want us to see them or they just didn't give them to us until after Richburg left."

The indictments stem from what the grand jurors say was a conspiracy involving Sansom, Richburg and Odom to use $6 million in state school construction funds to build an airplane hangar at Odom's business, Destin Jet.

Sansom, who then was the speaker designate, quietly had the funds appropriated to the college in 2007, the grand jury said in its April report.

Richburg claimed the funds were to be used for a building at Destin Airport that would serve as an educational facility and as an Emergency Operations Center during a disaster, the report said.

The educational facility, subleased by Northwest Florida State College, would be leased back to Odom and function as a hangar, grand jurors surmised.

Meggs said the perjury charge against Sansom stems from testimony he gave regarding the use of the airport building.

"He testified that no private individual would have use of the building," Meggs said after the indictment was handed down. "There is much evidence to the contrary."

Meggs said one piece of that evidence is a lease, or a partial lease, his investigators uncovered among the documents the college turned over after Richburg stepped down. He said the document indicates "the intent and plan was for Jay Odom to use the building."

College spokeswoman Sylvia Bryan said the lease Meggs spoke of was a document that already had been given to his office and to the Daily News.

She said in a prepared statement that the new documents provided to the state attorney were discovered the week of April 20, as college officials were "compiling files ... for different investigative bodies."

She said the documents "contained both materials previously supplied and materials that appeared not to have been previously supplied (and of which college staff were not previously aware)."

She did not disclose who had discovered the documents.

(Upon their discovery) "The college immediately supplied a copy of all the files to all three investigative bodies," Bryan said.

Meggs said the charge of official misconduct against Odom was justified because Odom acted as a "principal" to Sansom in funneling the $6 million appropriation to the college.

"He was a participant in getting this funding for Sansom," Meggs said.

Odom's attorney issued a response on his behalf.

"He (Odom) said the allegations of the indictment are false. He is not a public figure and he never suggested or advised anyone to falsify any official record or document as alleged," Odom's attorney, Jimmy Judkins, said in a news release.

"Odom will plead not guilty to the charge and expects to be totally exonerated when the facts are presented in an impartial arena and all parties have the chance to present evidence," Judkins said in the release.

Sansom's attorney, Stephen Dobson, said his client would be found not guilty when all of the evidence is presented at trial.
Dobson said the perjury charge "is misguided in its notion and we think we'll be able to show that."

Dobson also stated there is a "mountain of evidence" available to prove Sansom's innocence of colluding to allocate funds for Odom.

"This grand jury hasn't heard about the appropriateness of this building and the need it would have served," Dobson said. "It would have benefitted all the citizens of Destin.

"I'm confident that an unbiased jury will return a verdict of not guilty and Ray Sansom will be vindicated."

ASH · 05-28-2009, 08:38 AM

Politics in general are tainted.
Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely.

Like the song says, it doesn't matter which side you look at, they are both just seperate wings on the same bird of prey.

kkddbb · 05-28-2009, 08:45 AM

the republican franchise is a bit tainted? why, because of this one case? silly. the left would like nothing more than to have a one party nation. as if thats what made this nation what it is. its typical talking points from the olby crowd and these looney blogs.

that said, i have no use for odom. ive seen his lack of interest in anything other than the almighty dollar. ive seen him throw sand in the eyes of grayton residents. so, if he's guilty than so be it. and if elected officials are also guilty than be gone with em. theres no room for crooks in our political system.

but, you can bet if this was a democrat there wouldnt be a peep. just look at the amount of dems that are under the spotlight that you never hear about. its not politically expediant...

beachFool · 05-28-2009, 08:59 AM

>>>but, you can bet if this was a democrat there wouldnt be a peep. just look at the amount of dems that are under the spotlight that you never hear about. its not politically expediant...<<<

Well, Roland Burris's name comes to mind. He may be in the same boat as these clowns.

I should have been more clear. The Northwest FL Republican franchise is a bit tainted.

Odom is a big Republican political operator.

kkddbb · 05-28-2009, 09:54 AM

and so will dick durbin, charlie rangel and numerous others. none of which you hear on any news networks or any daytime tv programmes. again, its simply not on the political radar. corruption is corruption-period. MSLSD isnt interested in providing the american people with anything other than ideology and so does the huffinton posts, media matters and the looney dailykos's of the world. wheres the hope and change and more importantly the open government? another empy suit.....

rapunzel · 05-28-2009, 11:17 AM

Name one local Democrat that is as unsavory as Ray Sansom or Jay Odom. This is, after all, the All About Sowal forum.

And if you don't like politicians, get involved in your local party -- assuming you aren't a corrupt and terrible person -- and change them. Run for precinct committeeman or committeewoman. Change the parties if you don't like them or what they stand for...locally, you can make a huge difference.

kurt · 05-28-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rapunzel

This is, after all, the All About Sowal forum.

....

moved

Interested Girl · 05-28-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rapunzel

Name one local Democrat that is as unsavory as Ray Sansom or Jay Odom. This is, after all, the All About Sowal forum.

And if you don't like politicians, get involved in your local party -- assuming you aren't a corrupt and terrible person -- and change them. Run for precinct committeeman or committeewoman. Change the parties if you don't like them or what they stand for...locally, you can make a huge difference.

Name for me anyone in Walton county that is in office that ran as a Democrat.
Posted via Mobile Device

murray · 05-28-2009, 11:52 AM

Jay Odom is the Vice Chair for the North West Florida Transportation Authority, an authority which has major political pull in determining where public and private roads will be developed, yet his attorney says Mr Odom is not a public figure. Imagine that.

Here4Good · 05-28-2009, 01:35 PM

And I found this interesting...according to their website, the NFTCA has some pretty broad powers, including spending our money:

NFTCA History
The Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority (NFTCA) was created by the 2005 Florida Legislature. The enabling legislation is contained in Florida Statute Section 343.80. The primary purpose of the authority is to improve mobility on the US 98 corridor in Northwest Florida to enhance traveler safety, identify and develop hurricane evacuation routes, promote economic development along the corridor, and implement transportation projects to alleviate current or anticipated traffic congestion. The Authority is authorized to construct any feeder roads, reliever roads, connector roads, bypasses, or appurtenant facilities that are intended to improve mobility along the US 98 corridor. The Authority is further authorized to plan, design, finance, and construct transportation improvement projects. The NFTCA may acquire and hold title to property that will accommodate the development of transportation facilities. Additionally, the Authority may seek financial assistance from local, State and the Federal government as well as private entities. The NFTCA is also authorized to implement toll facilities to aid in funding projects.

goodwitch58 · 05-28-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murray

Jay Odom is the Vice Chair for the North West Florida Transportation Authority, an authority which has major political pull in determining where public and private roads will be developed, yet his attorney says Mr Odom is not a public figure. Imagine that.

It seems to me that Governor Crist might think about asking Mr. Odom to step down from this appointment, until these charges are cleared up, no?

NotDeadYet · 05-28-2009, 06:13 PM

FF 2 · 05-28-2009, 07:49 PM

I think he will be asked to step down, he never donated to Crist as I understand it and was only on the board because of who knows and property he owns.

wrobert · 05-28-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodwitch58

It seems to me that Governor Crist might think about asking Mr. Odom to step down from this appointment, until these charges are cleared up, no?

I am not an Odom fan. But those charges are about as bogus as you can get, imho. Principal to official misconduct? Come on. If he asked Sansom to do something, Sansom is the public figure, he should have said no if it was wrong. Constituents ask public figures to do stuff that is not right all the time.

All they are doing is find a way to get into Odom's financials. Now that is going to be where the real fun begins. Those would be interesting.

SneakyPete · 05-28-2009, 09:19 PM

Knowing how Odom handled the Grayton Grand issue -- KNOWINGLY buying property in a neighborhood with established restrictions and then fighting those restrictions until the opposition could no longer afford to fight -- I have absolutely no sympathy for him. If he's being held accountable for these rather minor transgressions, I can assure you there are many more behind him that will never see the light of day. I won't say the Good Ol'Boy network system will ever be behind us (such is the nature of human beings) but at least this crop of them is facing the serious questions and scrutiny their actions have brought to bear. That has to be a good thing.

Smiling JOe · 05-29-2009, 07:45 AM

I have no clue as to whether or not the charges are bogus, but that published news article in the first post is a rather large story. If he is guilty of using $6 million dollars of public funds to build his own airport hanger business, that is plain wrong, and regardless of the elected official (whom would be just as guilty) with whom he was in cohorts, Odom would be abusing the system.

wrobert, It almost sounds like you think only the politician who is dirty should be held accountable, rather than all who are involved with the dirty money. To me, that sounds counter to the conservative view points involving abuse of tax dollars. Am I misunderstanding you?

beachmouse · 05-29-2009, 07:57 AM

Thing is, if the other two names involved had said 'my bad' back in about November and canceled the project, then everyone would have been in much better shape on the public trust charges. There are eleven million shades of grey you can see in that kind of law, and I think the odds are in the defendant's favor if it goes to trial. The real trouble comes from the perjury charges, which have a much more black and white feel to them.

Wouldn't be surprised to see a not guilty on the original charges and then a guilty on the perjury ones ala Martha Stewart.

wrobert · 05-29-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

I have no clue as to whether or not the charges are bogus, but that published news article in the first post is a rather large story. If he is guilty of using $6 million dollars of public funds to build his own airport hanger business, that is plain wrong, and regardless of the elected official (whom would be just as guilty) with whom he was in cohorts, Odom would be abusing the system.

wrobert, It almost sounds like you think only the politician who is dirty should be held accountable, rather than all who are involved with the dirty money. To me, that sounds counter to the conservative view points involving abuse of tax dollars. Am I misunderstanding you?

The politician should have held him accountable by refusing to do what he asked. Now if there was a bag of cash transferred, or a washtub full, like they did in Escambia County at the Whataburger, that is another story. But if all Odom did was lobby for something, how is that wrong?

How is this so different from the $5 million dollars that got stuck into the budget at the last minute a few years back at the BCC to build the public parks at Hammock Bay? And then the contract was awarded to Crystal Beach Development when it was let out on bids?

SWGB · 05-29-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrobert

The politician should have held him accountable by refusing to do what he asked. Now if there was a bag of cash transferred, or a washtub full, like they did in Escambia County at the Whataburger, that is another story. But if all Odom did was lobby for something, how is that wrong?

How is this so different from the $5 million dollars that got stuck into the budget at the last minute a few years back at the BCC to build the public parks at Hammock Bay? And then the contract was awarded to Crystal Beach Development when it was let out on bids?

The more I read about Odom and Sansom the less convinced I am that either was smart enough to follow Florida bribery law. Simply put that means that you wait until you are out of office to receive your kickback, payback, bribe, whatever, and it's all perfectly legal as you are no longer in office. It's been happening for years. Apparently Mr. Sansom wanted his payback now and got caught. Odom then tried to help him out by lieing to help his buddy out.

At what point does a person become responsible for his own perjury?

I underlined those two key words for you, they seem to be part of a battle cry for the GOP.

SWGB · 05-29-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkddbb

the republican franchise is a bit tainted? why, because of this one case? silly. the left would like nothing more than to have a one party nation. as if thats what made this nation what it is. its typical talking points from the olby crowd and these looney blogs.

that said, i have no use for odom. ive seen his lack of interest in anything other than the almighty dollar. ive seen him throw sand in the eyes of grayton residents. so, if he's guilty than so be it. and if elected officials are also guilty than be gone with em. theres no room for crooks in our political system.

but, you can bet if this was a democrat there wouldnt be a peep. just look at the amount of dems that are under the spotlight that you never hear about. its not politically expediant...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Interested Girl

Name for me anyone in Walton county that is in office that ran as a Democrat.
Posted via Mobile Device

Actually a one party leadership isn't good for anybody. Look at Okaloosa and Walton county. When one party takes control all hail breaks loose, I don't care if it's Republican or Democrat. It's been an orgy of power for far too long.

FF 2 · 05-29-2009, 12:38 PM

No one has run as a Democrat recently and won, but there are a lot of RINO who could have run as a Democrat and still may have won.

beachFool · 05-29-2009, 12:49 PM

E-mails detail construction deal in Ray Sansom case - Breaking News - MiamiHerald.com

This link is a smidgen more, ahh, damaging.

Here4Good · 05-29-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrobert

But if all Odom did was lobby for something, how is that wrong?

How is this so different from the $5 million dollars that got stuck into the budget at the last minute a few years back at the BCC to build the public parks at Hammock Bay? And then the contract was awarded to Crystal Beach Development when it was let out on bids?

He lobbied for something which was illegal, and then took part in the coverup.

And the lobbying was accompanied by heavy "campaign contributions".

wrobert · 05-29-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Here4Good

He lobbied for something which was illegal, and then took part in the coverup.

And the lobbying was accompanied by heavy "campaign contributions".

All lobbying is accompanied by campaign contributions. Go look at the financial reports for the incumbents in State office.

People lobby for illegal things all the time. They are lobbying to either get the law changed or to get the legislature to do it, thus making it legal in their eyes.

Busta Hustle · 05-29-2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrobert

All lobbying is accompanied by campaign contributions. Go look at the financial reports for the incumbents in State office. People lobby for illegal things all the time. They are lobbying to either get the law changed or to get the legislature to do it, thus making it legal in their eyes.

I especialy love county commissioners using tax $$ to pay lobbyist to lobby the state and federal congress and senate in order to understand the paper work to fill out in order to get the state or fed to send tax $$$ back to the county. And then to see the state (Gaetz) singing high praises of the county on their understanding the paper work and getting in line early , as the $$$ exchange takes some time.
And crown thy good with brotherhood (and some cash) from sea to shining sea.

SGB · 05-29-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrobert

How is this so different from the $5 million dollars that got stuck into the budget at the last minute a few years back at the BCC to build the public parks at Hammock Bay? And then the contract was awarded to Crystal Beach Development when it was let out on bids?

In case someone reading this doesn't know - the park is in the middle of Hammock Bay which is Odom's development, and Crystal Beach Development is owned by Odom. So Odom "donated" the land in the middle of his development so the county could develop the park for him, and then the county paid Odom to build said park. Sweet deal for Odom - he gets out of paying to build recreational facilities for his development and then gets paid about $6M to build them for himself, I mean, the county. I couldn't believe it at the time, and still can't. Well, maybe I can after seeing how our county government works.

SWGB · 05-29-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGB

In case someone reading this doesn't know - the park is in the middle of Hammock Bay which is Odom's development, and Crystal Beach Development is owned by Odom. So Odom "donated" the land in the middle of his development so the county could develop the park for him, and then the county paid Odom to build said park. Sweet deal for Odom - he gets out of paying to build recreational facilities for his development and then gets paid about $6M to build them for himself, I mean, the county. I couldn't believe it at the time, and still can't. Well, maybe I can after seeing how our county government works.

I'm not defending the guy in any way shape or form, but have you actually been to and driven through Hammock Bay? The park you are discussing is right down the road from Hammock Bays recreational area and actually mirrors some of the same things. There is a non-gated road from the side street so that one can access the recreational area without driving through the majority of Hammock Bay.

While I'm not thrilled with most of Odom's antics developers have come a long way. I grew up in Tallahassee's big expansion north. in some cases tracts of land much larger than Hammock Bay were developed and large parcels set aside and still owned by the developer, about the size of an elementary school, and once the residents demanded a school so their kids weren't bused all over and the existing school was bursting at the seems, the county got to purchase the land from the developer at a now increased amount. After all it was in a desirable neighborhood.

SGB · 05-29-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWGB

I'm not defending the guy in any way shape or form, but have you actually been to and driven through Hammock Bay? The park you are discussing is right down the road from Hammock Bays recreational area and actually mirrors some of the same things. There is a non-gated road from the side street so that one can access the recreational area without driving through the majority of Hammock Bay.

Yep, been there many times. Went to look at their playgrounds (both the recreation area and county park) to see what they had and figure out what we would like here in SoWal. The playground and park is a huge asset to Hammock Bay and to Walton County. I have complete park envy. I just disagree with the convoluted way it was created and paid for and how $6M of county funds ended up in Odom's pocket. The huge cost of that park just boggles my mind when we can't even get enough funds to put in a playground at Helen McCall. But times are different now.

Smiling JOe · 05-29-2009, 06:29 PM

There is a bit of a difference between the City Park at Hammock Bay and Jay's private Jet business in Destin -- The difference is that the people actually got something out of the Freeport Park, not so in Destin. It wasn't until after the fact, that I learned that Jay's business constructed the Park in Freeport. That is the good ole boy system, and is wrong in my opinion. Coaxing the gov't to give $6 million to use to build the Private Jet business of Jay, when the funds were to supposed to go to build public facilities for education or whatever, is not only wrong, but probably illegal, and shame on all involved if it is true.

wrobert, it still sounds like you think it is wrong for politicians to do illegal things, but you are okay with a civilian asking the gov't to do illegal things. In my opinion, the asking is in the same category as the doing -- wrong, wrong, wrong.

SWGB · 05-30-2009, 11:28 PM

Seems like Odom's cut off for fraud money is 6 million.