MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. - The affidavit released after the arrest of Governor Crist's handpicked Republican party chairman Jim Greer raises some serious questions about the governor's interaction with Greer and the RPOF under his leadership.
"While the Governor denies that he was 'complicit' in his handpicked Republican party chairman's wrongdoing, these court documents show that the Governor won't be able to escape the legacy of his tainted Republican chairman. Governor Crist stood with and vouched for Jim Greer even as Greer controlled access to the governor and, in one case, tried to profit from it. Even senior Crist aides were aware of allegations against the governor's Republican chairman. Greer and other Republican leaders like Marco Rubio charged thousands of dollars on party issued credit cards under his watch. All of this while Governor Crist praised Greer's leadership of the Republican Party. Obviously, Governor Crist's denials don't meet the smell test. The governor needs to come clean about what he knew about Greer, when he knew it and why he kept this person at the helm of his Republican Party," said the Kendrick Meek campaign.
For months, Governor Crist stood by Greer, even telling him "not to consider resigning" while questions swirled over Greer's leadership. Now, we find out that Greer controlled access to the governor and, in one case, limited it for those who refused to let him profit from this access. Court documents show Greer tried to profit from a fake poll for the Crist campaign and that senior level Crist aides were aware of allegations made against Greer by those inside the party. Under Greer's watch, Republican leaders like Marco Rubio were allowed to charge thousands of dollars in personal expenses to the party's credit card. While all of this was happening, the governor continued to lavishly praise Greer and fend off criticism of his leadership.
The document states these events occurred in the months following the governor's election, September of 2009, and December of 2009. In each instance, Governor Crist made statements supporting Greer's leadership of the Republican Party of Florida. Here are a few choice samples:
On Nov. 15, 2009 the St. Petersburg Times' Buzz reported, "The party tonight released an e-mail Charlie Crist today sent out letting GOP activists know the state GOP Chairman - his hand-picked, narrowly elected party leader two years ago - has 'my full support' and endorsement for re-election as RPOF chairman: 'During Jim's term, he has provided decisive leadership, energy, and a tireless commitment to building our Party and promoting the Republican Party's principles and values.'"
On Dec. 19, 2009 the St. Petersburg Times reported that with the controversy against RPOF Chairman Jim Greer swirling the governor told Jim Greer that he is "not to consider resigning."
On December 30, 2009 the Tallahassee Democrat reported that Crist supported Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer even after the state party pressured him to resign. It reported that Crist "expressed confidence" in Greer, saying in a small statement from his campaign that he "strongly support[s] Jim Greer as the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida."
On Apr. 21, 2010 the Miami Herald reported, "Crist picked Greer to be party chairman and stood by him after months of blistering criticism from Republicans who said Greer mismanaged party finances."
Posted By: Kendrick Meek
Thursday, June 3rd 2010 at 2:47PM
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