Orlando grand jury not to press criminal charges but criticizes political manipulation

Central Florida state's attorney Lawson Lamar said today that a Grand Jury he impanelled to consider corruption charges against staff and board members of the Orlando Orange County (Toll) Expressway Authority (OOCEA) will not be pressing any criminal charges. Instead they will merely present criticism of political fund raising and other dubious practices at the toll agency.

"There are some changes that need to happen at the expressway authority," the prosecutor said. He said the state can't continue to be run by "old boys networks."

A preliminary "presentment" has been prepared by the Grand Jury listing criticism of the OOCEA. The document is being submitted to those criticized for comment.

In 15 days time a final version may be released. The preliminary document is "sealed" by the court.

Lamar said today that state agencies like the OOCEA must not be used for political fundraising, suggesting one line of criticism in the report. The prosecuting attorney also said developers "have too much influence" - an apparent swipe at former OOCEA board chairman Alan Keen who stepped down in the wake of a furore over revelations he and top OOCEA staff were involved in toll authority payoffs of $107k to the leading anti-toll activist and a talk radio man in the area, Doug Guetzloe, in preparation for a toll increase.

Guetzloe was reported to be involved in numerous shakedowns involving developers and a local ball team The Magics, but so far has only been charged with an electioneering offense for which he got a short jail sentence.

OOCEA's marketing and PR consultant Ron Pecora who made the $107k payments to Guetzloe on behalf of the toll authority has been charged with bribery but not of Guetzloe. He has been charged with $2,600 bribery of the then toll authority chairman Alan Keen, getting him theme park tickets.

Some employees complained that under Keen toll authority staff were forced by the chairman to attend fundraisers on behalf of Republican candidates.

COMMENT: The Orlando toll authority has had the strong odor of a cesspool the past couple of years, so it is surprising to there are no criminal charges. Instead the miscreants will be treated to a "presentment." This is a constitutional as well as a semantic monstrosity. It is the business of prosecutors and grand juries to investigate and prosecute if the investigation warrants. If not they should shut up. Their job is to enforce the laws, not to give sermons on civics. TOLLROADSnews 2007-10-09