Ex-con helps raise money for attorney general candidate
by Michael C. Bender | July 9th, 2009State Sen. Dave Aronberg’s campaign for Florida’s top law-enforcement job is getting fund-raising help from an ex-convict whose latest arrest came as recently as last year.
Gibson
But court records from Arkansas, California and South Florida show the champion kickboxer-turned-businessman has an arrest record that doesn’t match the squeaky-clean image a law enforcement candidate might want from someone publicly supporting his campaign and soliciting contributions.
Read the rest of Post reporter Tony Doris’ story here.
Tags: Dave Aronberg, ex-cons, felons, fund-raising
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Sentenced to die for crimes judged heinous and cruel, inmates await execution in a 9 feet by 6 feet cell.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:00 am
And the point of this story is…???
Did the “ex-convict” serve out whatever sentence was handed down? Is he now a productive, tax-paying, member of society?
Does the “ex-convict” have an interest in the Florida and the future of our state?
This man has taken an active as opposed to passive or non-interest in the state in which he lives and works.
The shame is that so many others do not.
Let’s crucify all those who sit on the sidelines and do nothing.
They are the true criminals.
An apology from the Palm Beach Post is in order. The only story is the one you made.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
If a contribution is legal, and the way the contribution is raised is legal, then it’s up to Dave Aronberg to decide whether or not he wants those people and businesses represented on his contribution reports and fundraising invites. I’ve seen many candidates ask a person or two to disassociate themselves from a campaign, or at least do what they do discreety. I’ve also seen some candidates really not sure what they should do when some crazy person is supporting them - because sometimes making waves can make it worse.
But there’s really no story here if the contributions are legal. Just like there really is no story with someone accepting a contribution from Jay Odom. If the donations are legal, the only issue is when people misuse those funds or give undue deference to the donor of those funds.
A bigger story is someone like Dan Gelber raising money during Session, a couple years back. A bigger story is a Ray Sansom doing numerous favors for Jay Odom and a college in exchange for essentially payment. A bigger story is Franklin Sands handing out committee preference based on how much House Democrats would raise for their caucus. A bigger story is Ron Saunders telling House Democrats that essentially they will be requiring pay to play as their principle strategy for their caucus.
July 9th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Wow, this screams unethical.
No thanks, Senator Aronberg.
July 14th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
I am Jeff Gibson and I’m proud to say that I have helped spread the word for Senator Aronberg, President Obama, and a few others through my contacts here in South Florida. I did get in trouble seventeen years ago, story not quite accurate in the post, but none the less I was wrong and was punished.
For those of you who have stood up for me I thank you and for the others I suggest you look a bit more clear at those around you. You might be surprised just who has had issues in their past. I was singled out by a reporter for his personal gain to bash me and he did well. But would you have felt different to judge if he just said I was a Captain in the US Marine Corp, a graduate of Georgetown University with a masters degree?
I’ll stand by my beliefs and not be afraid to express myself. Because I know the man that I am today!
December 8th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
[...] big fundraising help from accused Palm Beach Gardens scammer and ex-con Jeffrey R. Gibson (More here). And his political committee, Citizens for Political Accountability, received a $50,000 check from [...]