06-14-2007, 02:58 PM
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/pbcwest/co ... _0614.html (http://www.palmbeachpost.com/pbcwest/content/local_news/epaper/2007/06/14/s3b_ethics_0614.html)
The Florida Commission on Ethics dismissed a political rival's complaint about Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw's hiring practices and tossed out Palm Beach Gardens Fire Chief Peter Bergel's complaint about Councilwoman Jody Barnett's involvement in a personnel dispute.
In a series of orders filed Wednesday, the ethics panel also rejected complaints against 11 state lawmakers - including three Palm Beach County delegation members - over the legislature's decision not to reimburse a man who was wrongfully imprisoned for 24 years.
The dismissals all were based on "legal insufficiency," which means the commission didn't make a factual determination of any allegations, but determined that the complaints failed to state any violation of Florida ethics laws.
Bradshaw was targeted in an April complaint by former Lt. Patrick O'Hara, who claimed the sheriff rewarded political supporters with jobs after taking office in 2005. O'Hara left the sheriff's office last year, then opened a campaign challenging Bradshaw's 2008 reelection.
The commission said O'Hara's complaint failed to contain any "specific, factual allegations" suggesting Bradshaw made any deals promising jobs in exchange for support.
The Florida Commission on Ethics dismissed a political rival's complaint about Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw's hiring practices and tossed out Palm Beach Gardens Fire Chief Peter Bergel's complaint about Councilwoman Jody Barnett's involvement in a personnel dispute.
In a series of orders filed Wednesday, the ethics panel also rejected complaints against 11 state lawmakers - including three Palm Beach County delegation members - over the legislature's decision not to reimburse a man who was wrongfully imprisoned for 24 years.
The dismissals all were based on "legal insufficiency," which means the commission didn't make a factual determination of any allegations, but determined that the complaints failed to state any violation of Florida ethics laws.
Bradshaw was targeted in an April complaint by former Lt. Patrick O'Hara, who claimed the sheriff rewarded political supporters with jobs after taking office in 2005. O'Hara left the sheriff's office last year, then opened a campaign challenging Bradshaw's 2008 reelection.
The commission said O'Hara's complaint failed to contain any "specific, factual allegations" suggesting Bradshaw made any deals promising jobs in exchange for support.