In the News

Scandals Rock Florida GOP

With 42 days until the election and with absentee ballots dropping next week, these are certainly not the headlines the GOP was hoping for… 

State Legislature

Orlando Sentinel: State Rep. Mike Horner ends campaign after being named in racketeering, prostitution case

“State Rep. Mike Horner of Kissimmee, a leading Osceola County Republican and a rising star in state GOP circles, abruptly ended his re-election campaign Monday after he was named as a client in a prostitution and racketeering case.”

Times/Herald: Florida Rep. Mike Horner resigns amid prostitution ring investigation

“His name surfaced during the investigation of alleged brothel owner, Mark David Risner, 54, who faces racketeering and prostitution charges and is accused of running a prostitution ring out of his Orange County home. Investigators found hundreds of names as they investigated Risner’s operation, and Horner shut down his campaign website shortly after his name was publicized.”

WTSP: Florida State Rep. Mike Horner drops out after name is linked to prostitution arrest

“A state lawmaker from central Florida is dropping out of his re-election race after his name was linked to a prostitution arrest. The speaker-designate of the Florida House of Representatives said Monday that State Rep. Mike Horner will not seek re-election.”

Huffington Post: Mike Horner Prostitution Scandal: GOP State Rep. Resigns After Name Reportedly Surfaces On Client List

“Florida State Rep. Mike Horner (R-Kissimmee) ended a reelection bid Monday amid reports he allegedly used prostitutes. The married, two-term state legislator resigned from his post in the Florida House after his name surfaced in evidence against accused prostitution ring leader Mark D. Risner, according to the Orlando Sentinel.”

Daytona Beach News Journal: Hukill’s son gets $100,000 as campaign’s consultant

“On Hukill’s side, the veteran Republican state representative has spent more than $100,000 with a single consulting firm for this election, state Division of Elections records show. Until the latest expense reports were filed Friday — including costs for big ad buys — the consulting fees represented three-quarters of the campaign’s total expenses. The firm is Crimson Atlantic Consulting. State Division of Corporations records show it’s managed by Jonathan Hukill, the candidate’s son. ‘It doesn’t meet the smell test in anyone’s kitchen,’ said Wayne Bailey, a Stetson University political science professor.”

Congress 

Miami Herald: From shoplifting sandals to shooting at her ex (while naked), David Rivera’s pal in FBI probe has checkered past

“When Justin Lamar Sternad met Ana Sol Alliegro at a Kendall Ale House, he didn’t know the political consultant would help lead his campaign into the FBI’s crosshairs or that she had prior legal run-ins — including the time she shot at her ex-husband while naked. Alliegro is a key figure in a federal investigation of Sternad’s campaign finances that focuses on the funneling of tens of thousands in cash tied to U.S. Rep. David Rivera.” 

RPOF

Orlando Sentinel: Attorney: Jim Greer out of money 

“An Orlando judge on Monday grudgingly once again delayed the fraud and theft trial of Jim Greer, the former chairman of the Florida GOP, saying a money dispute between Greer and the party he’s accused of victimizing has ground the case to a halt.Two months ago, Circuit Judge Marc Lubet ordered the party to surrender to Greer tens of thousands of emails, records that defense attorney Damon Chase says will prove his client is innocent.”

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