07-04-2008, 08:13 PM
Interseting article found in today's edition of the Tallahassee Democrat.
July 4, 2008
Accusations, investigations mark Jefferson sheriff's race
By Jim Ash
FLORIDA CAPITAL BUREAU CHIEF
Allegations of a shakedown by state liquor agents, an angry sheriff calling for an internal investigation of his political opponent, pages of inspector general reports.
It's just another election season in rural Jefferson County, where the gently-rolling terrain is lush, the watermelon queen is just beginning her reign and a tough election struggle has erupted for control of the 60-member sheriff's department and its $3.1 million budget.
"I never would have expected this race to get this dirty," said Capt. Ron Cave, a veteran officer with the state Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco and a Democrat who hopes to unseat Sheriff David Hobbs in the Aug. 26 primary.
When he opened his campaign account in January, Cave had no idea that he would be investigated — and cleared — by his own agency and a local prosecutor of accusations that he ordered a liquor sting against a local business owner who declined to support him.
Neither did he know a fellow beverage agent and supporter would have his state computer scoured by department technicians to see if he was on duty and improperly using state equipment when he sent a blistering campaign e-mail to a handful of friends.
The same inspector general of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation who cleared Cave of any wrongdoing in the liquor sting also concluded that his friend, Agent Charles Bryan, was off duty and using a personal computer when he sent the e-mail.
Bad blood
The trouble started in March when Hobbs saw a copy of Bryan's e-mail screed.
It accuses Hobbs, among other things, of encouraging deputies to "ride around and wave or do nothing at all unless absolutely necessary." Bryan once served as deputy under Hobbs and acknowledges there is bad blood between them.
Hobbs acknowledges that when he saw a copy of the e-mail he picked up the phone and called the beverage agents' superior officer. Hobbs said he merely wanted the department to know what their agents were up to.
The e-mail was a pack of lies, Hobbs said.
"I was trying to make them aware of the conduct of a fellow officer," Hobbs said. "If it was my department, I would sure want to know whether he was on duty and using my computer."
Hobbs denies having anything to do with the second investigation involving the alcohol sting.
'All a coincidence'
According to the inspector general's report, Cave drove to W.T. Grant's Automotive Center on the morning of April 15 and asked Grant to support his campaign. Owner Bill Grant declined.
A short time later, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco agents conducted a routine survey of the store, using an under-age informant to illegally purchase alcohol. A clerk who took the bait was arrested and given a summons to appear in court.
Cave was on sick leave that day and had been excused from supervising any investigations involving Jefferson County when he launched his campaign. He said he returned to the store to assure Grant that the sting was not related to his campaign request.
Shortly after, an unknown person approached Assistant State Attorney John Fuchs and asked him to investigate. Fuchs began an inquiry but quickly concluded that there was nothing to the charges.
"I started it and stopped it in a hurry," he said. "It was obvious it was all a coincidence."
Fuchs said there is no case file and he declined to say who filed the complaint.
"I can tell you the complaint did not come from the sheriff, or anybody in the sheriff's office," he said.
'Small town'
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation launched its investigation when Fuchs requested an interview with the agents involved in the sting.
The agents told investigators that they were conducting a series of stings in Jefferson County that day and that Cave had nothing to do with the planning or the operation.
Grant said he has no hard feelings and doesn't think Cave did anything improper.
After observing countless campaigns since he opened his business in 1992, Grant says he's learned not to risk offending his customers by letting politicians hang signs at his shop.
"It's a small town," he said. "Everyone knows everyone."
July 4, 2008
Accusations, investigations mark Jefferson sheriff's race
By Jim Ash
FLORIDA CAPITAL BUREAU CHIEF
Allegations of a shakedown by state liquor agents, an angry sheriff calling for an internal investigation of his political opponent, pages of inspector general reports.
It's just another election season in rural Jefferson County, where the gently-rolling terrain is lush, the watermelon queen is just beginning her reign and a tough election struggle has erupted for control of the 60-member sheriff's department and its $3.1 million budget.
"I never would have expected this race to get this dirty," said Capt. Ron Cave, a veteran officer with the state Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco and a Democrat who hopes to unseat Sheriff David Hobbs in the Aug. 26 primary.
When he opened his campaign account in January, Cave had no idea that he would be investigated — and cleared — by his own agency and a local prosecutor of accusations that he ordered a liquor sting against a local business owner who declined to support him.
Neither did he know a fellow beverage agent and supporter would have his state computer scoured by department technicians to see if he was on duty and improperly using state equipment when he sent a blistering campaign e-mail to a handful of friends.
The same inspector general of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation who cleared Cave of any wrongdoing in the liquor sting also concluded that his friend, Agent Charles Bryan, was off duty and using a personal computer when he sent the e-mail.
Bad blood
The trouble started in March when Hobbs saw a copy of Bryan's e-mail screed.
It accuses Hobbs, among other things, of encouraging deputies to "ride around and wave or do nothing at all unless absolutely necessary." Bryan once served as deputy under Hobbs and acknowledges there is bad blood between them.
Hobbs acknowledges that when he saw a copy of the e-mail he picked up the phone and called the beverage agents' superior officer. Hobbs said he merely wanted the department to know what their agents were up to.
The e-mail was a pack of lies, Hobbs said.
"I was trying to make them aware of the conduct of a fellow officer," Hobbs said. "If it was my department, I would sure want to know whether he was on duty and using my computer."
Hobbs denies having anything to do with the second investigation involving the alcohol sting.
'All a coincidence'
According to the inspector general's report, Cave drove to W.T. Grant's Automotive Center on the morning of April 15 and asked Grant to support his campaign. Owner Bill Grant declined.
A short time later, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco agents conducted a routine survey of the store, using an under-age informant to illegally purchase alcohol. A clerk who took the bait was arrested and given a summons to appear in court.
Cave was on sick leave that day and had been excused from supervising any investigations involving Jefferson County when he launched his campaign. He said he returned to the store to assure Grant that the sting was not related to his campaign request.
Shortly after, an unknown person approached Assistant State Attorney John Fuchs and asked him to investigate. Fuchs began an inquiry but quickly concluded that there was nothing to the charges.
"I started it and stopped it in a hurry," he said. "It was obvious it was all a coincidence."
Fuchs said there is no case file and he declined to say who filed the complaint.
"I can tell you the complaint did not come from the sheriff, or anybody in the sheriff's office," he said.
'Small town'
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation launched its investigation when Fuchs requested an interview with the agents involved in the sting.
The agents told investigators that they were conducting a series of stings in Jefferson County that day and that Cave had nothing to do with the planning or the operation.
Grant said he has no hard feelings and doesn't think Cave did anything improper.
After observing countless campaigns since he opened his business in 1992, Grant says he's learned not to risk offending his customers by letting politicians hang signs at his shop.
"It's a small town," he said. "Everyone knows everyone."