By Jim Ash • Florida Capital Bureau Chief • May 27, 2008
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080527/NEWS0120/305280015/1075
TALLAHASSEE -- House Speaker Marco Rubio on Tuesday named five House members to look into an election-related complaint against Rep. Paige Kreegel, R-Punta Gorda.The probable cause panel is headed by Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland and Rep. Loranne Ausley, D-Tallahassee. The other members are Rep. J.C. Planas, R-Miami; Rep. Dick Kravitz, R-Jacksonville and Rep. Curtis Richardson, D-Tallahassee.Rules Chairman David Rivera, a Miami Republican, determined a little more than a week ago that a recent complaint filed by the head of a political watchdog group contained at least one charge that was worth investigating.
The complaint, filed by Robert Anderson of Lehigh Acres, alleges that Kreegel's former legislative aide used a state computer to smear a political opponent while he was on state time, in violation of state election laws.
Rubio gave the panel until June 30 to make a recommendation.
Kreegel was in meetings in Lee County on Tuesday and declined, through a spokesman, to comment. Kreegel said he intends to cooperate with the panel."He respects the process and he doesn't want to say anything that may influence the panel," said Kreegel's legislative aide, Zachary Burch.Kreegel's former legislative aide, Barry Millman, resigned in November after House staff members investigated a complaint that he used a state computer to check on the education credentials of Keith Richter, who is running against Kreegel in the November Republican primary.
According to a House report, Millman contacted Richter's supervisor at Hodges University and questioned a master's degree that Richter obtained from an online university in the Seychelles. The investigation also found that Millman twice lied to Anderson about the existence of e-mails he sent to Hodges.
Millman told House investigators that Kreegel directed him to make the calls to Hodges.The probable-cause panel, a House version of a grand jury, will have the power to subpoena witnesses and documents and conduct hearings, but Rivera has narrowed its focus to the potential election-law violation.
It will report its findings to Rubio, who will then decide whether to name a select committee that would hold the House version of a trial. Possible sanctions could range from public reprimand to expulsion. The probable cause panel has until June 30 to vote on a recommendation.
Anderson said he was surprised."I am quite thrilled that the House is actually taking action," he said. "I don't like (Kreegel) using his authority to slander someone else. There are laws against that."
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Complaint filed against Rep. Kreegel moves ahead
