A.G. Bondi says she’s powerless to probe Scott budget-signing
by John Kennedy | June 16th, 2011Attorney General Pam Bondi responded Thursday to West Palm Beach Democratic Rep. Mark Pafford’s request to examine the circumstances surrounding Gov. Rick Scott’s staff stiff-arming Democratic protesters at his budget-signing last month at The Villages.
Bondi hinted she was concerned, but powerless to step in.
“Throughout my nearly two decades in public service, I have been committed to transparency and open government,” Florida’s top legal officer, a Republican, wrote. “While I do not take lightly the questions you have raised, Florida law does not empower me to investigate your concerns.”
Pafford, who earlier wrote Scott seeking a response, was among Florida House Democrats who urged Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, also a Republican, to push for more answers and an apology from the governor for his office’s role in bullying a couple dozen Democratic protesters at last month’s ceremony.
A governor’s staffer apparently urged Sumter County Sheriff’s deputies to rein-in the protesters, claiming the budget-signing was a private event. Deputies confronted the protesters, keeping them out of the governor’s view and ordering them to discard their signs.
For his part, Pafford said in a statement, “While I appreciate Attorney General Pam Bondi’s acknowledgment letter, I remain concerned that constitutional rights protecting Florida’s citizens have purposely been ignored by the Governor’s Office.
“Since January 2011, when members of the press were banned from attending inauguration events in the state capitol building, the pattern of privacy has been the norm. I believe Floridians want answers to what transpired in The Villages and accountability,” he added.
Tags: protesters, Rep. Mark Pafford, The Villages
June 16th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
The longer Scott is in office the better it is for Obama in 2012.
June 16th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
I love the governor, but there’s a difference between kicking out Democrats at a Republican event and when you are a public official in an official capacity.
Staffer probably forgot it wasn’t campaign season. Since the Republican Chairman was at the stage, the Democrat Chairman should also have been invited.
June 16th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Gov Scott is going to be of great benefit to the Democrats in the 2012 election. He stands as a reminder to the voting public just what republicans are all about, Fraud, Greed and cronyism. With his help Obama will no doubt be re-elected.
June 16th, 2011 at 4:44 pm
Bondi can’t do anything because skeletor told her not to.
June 16th, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Skeletor decides what is “transparency” and what is not! No one dare question the master deceiver.
June 16th, 2011 at 6:33 pm
Actually Gov Scott will get benefit from the Democrats in the 2012 election.
June 16th, 2011 at 11:56 pm
@ stein. What???
June 17th, 2011 at 12:20 am
Bimbo Blondi is an idiot. What do you expect from someone like her?
June 17th, 2011 at 11:23 am
Let’s look at this way. What if a governor, any governor, were signing a budget in the governor’s office, would a couple dozen sign-waiving protesters be allowed in?
Mr. Pafford, if you were holding an official function in your office would you let them in?
I’m no fan of Scott but this is just low-level political grandstanding for Pafford’s wrinkled-up Jewish ultra-libs.
June 17th, 2011 at 11:51 am
And why do you think Rick Scott chose the Villages Kindom of King H. Gary Morse? Because he knoew it was a totally controlled environment. King Morse even controls the people and the IRS. Prince Ricky is just a puppet of the King!
June 17th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
@ Bubba. “Wrinkled up Jewish ultra-libs?” I fit none of the above descriptions but still hate that you share the same air that I breathe. Crawl back under your effing rock.
June 17th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
“If the signing were in an office” is just silly. It was in a faux downtown at the open-to-the-public Villages. What is so terrifying about a little band of yo yo protesters? This is Richard Nixon jack-boot moron mentality. He sent mounted park police and later,tear gas thundering down on peaceful hippie protesters in DC. It helped seal his doom. A smart governor would have let that butchered budget become law without his signature.
June 17th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
M. Bubba,
There are always protestors in public spaces, especially at events held in their offices. They especially appear in public spaces, or their office building. You should check your facts.
June 17th, 2011 at 6:10 pm
Thank you Mark Pafford for sticking up for the working people. You are a true public servant.
June 17th, 2011 at 6:42 pm
The Attorney General IS the Gov.’s Attorney. The AG legally represents all agencies in Florida. Bondi is doing what is best for her client under attorney client rules. Change the laws and the AG will no longer function in that capacity.
June 18th, 2011 at 10:34 am
Strong-arm or teaching manners? Liberals believe they’re always victims when they are the rabble rousers. Grow-up.
June 18th, 2011 at 11:55 pm
I wanted to respond the invasion of “Privacy of Medical Records” by AG Blondie.
All Pain Clinics should set-up shop in the Gin Mills because I can’t see any difference between the two. Liquid pain killers or pain pill killers they are the same. However some people actually need the Meds for Medical Reasons. I could care less how many pills people buy or how they dies because of overuse it is none of anyone’s business.
Do you count how many beers people buy? No!!!! Do you maintain a database on the booze sold, NO.
It is none of the Government’s Business when it comes the Medical Records, privacy trumps your database.
Kill the database now it is illegal.
June 19th, 2011 at 12:23 am
@ Ray Barboni. Have some more opiates dude, I think you’re lost. Wrong topic.