BEFORE THE

STATE OF FLORIDA

COMMISSION ON ETHICS

 

 

 

In re WILLIAM G. SMITH,       )

                              )     Complaint Nos. 89-6 and

     Respondent.              )     89-13 (Consolidated)

                              )     Final Order No. COE_____

______________________________)

 

 

 

FINAL ORDER AND PUBLIC REPORT

 

 

 

This matter came before the Commission on Ethics for final action on review of the Recommended Public Report of the Hearing Officer (a copy of which is attached and incorporated by reference).  The Respondent filed exceptions to the Recommended Public Report, which recommends that the Commission find that as Sheriff of Calhoun County he violated Section 112.313(6), Florida Statutes, by using Deputies and County vehicles for his personal benefit, but that he did not violate Section 112.313(6), Florida Statutes, by using County jail inmates for his personal benefit.       Having reviewed the Recommended Public Report, the Respondent's exceptions, and the record of the public hearing of this complaint, and having heard the arguments of counsel for the Respondent and of the Commission's Advocate, the Commission makes the following findings, conclusions, rulings, and recommendation:

 

Findings of Fact


The findings of fact set forth in the Recommended Public Report are approved, adopted, and incorporated herein.

 

Conclusions of Law

 

The Conclusions of Law set forth in the Recommended Public Report are approved, adopted, and incorporated herein.

 

Rulings on Respondent's Exceptions

 

The Respondent's takes exception to the Hearing Officer's conclusion that he acted "corruptly," arguing that the findings of fact and the Hearing Officer's analysis do not form a sufficient basis from which to reach this conclusion.  However, the facts as found demonstrate that the Respondent used public resources to achieve the benefit he sought, that he directed personnel of the Sheriff's office to take these actions as part of their duties, and that he knew at the time that these actions were solely for a private purpose.  Therefore, the Commission denies the Respondent's exceptions.

 

Recommended Penalty

 


Having found that the Respondent violated Section 112.313(6), Florida Statutes, as described in the Recommended Public Report, pursuant to Sections 112.317(1) and 112.324(4), Florida Statutes, it is the recommendation of the Commission on Ethics that he be publicly censured and reprimanded and that a civil penalty be imposed upon him in the amount of $1,000.00.

 

ORDERED by the State of Florida Commission on Ethics meeting in public session on January 24, 1991.

 

 

                                              _______________________________

                                              Date Rendered

 

 

                                              _______________________________

                                              Scott G. Williams

                                              Chairman

                                              Commission on Ethics

 

 

THIS ORDER CONSTITUTES FINAL AGENCY ACTION.  ANY PARTY WHO IS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THIS ORDER HAS THE RIGHT TO SEEK JUDICIAL REVIEW UNDER SECTION 120.68, FLORIDA STATUTES, BY FILING A NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL PURSUANT TO RULE 9.110, FLORIDA RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE, WITH THE CLERK OF THE COMMISSION ON ETHICS, 2107 THE CAPITOL, TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA  32399-1450; AND BY FILING A COPY OF THE NOTICE OF APPEAL ACCOMPANIED BY THE APPLICABLE FILING FEES WITH THE APPROPRIATE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL.  THE NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL MUST BE FILED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE DATE THIS ORDER IS RENDERED.

 

 

Copies furnished to:

 

     Mr. Mark Herron, Attorney for Respondent

     Mr. Craig B. Willis, Commission Advocate

     Mr. Rodney Smith, Complainant

     Mr. James Glenn Downum, Complainant