Lawyer accuses Sheriff Balkwill of fraud

[News Flash]

Lawyer says Sheriff Balkwill's actions fishy

SARASOTA — Health care company executive Doyle Moore wanted a $9 million contract with the Sarasota Sheriff's Office.

Records uncovered by lawyers who are suing Sheriff Balkwill over the jail contract show that Armor treated Balkwill to hundreds of dollars between 2006 and 2007.

Florida law forbids sheriffs from accepting lobbyist gifts worth more than $100.

For one free fishing trip, Balkwill said that he thought the $748 could be broken down individually -- the guides, the bait and the tip.

Even with that complicated arithmetic, the cost of the guides still amounts to more than the $100 legal limit.

"I never saw the receipt," Balkwill said. "This is the first time I've seen the receipt."

In all, Armor officials spent about $1,500 to see Balkwill -- from a night out for Balkwill and his wife at Sam Snead's Tavern to a meeting at Cafe L'Europe.

Balkwill says that Armor did not win the jail contract until after the free trip.

When Sheriff Balkwill received bids from three companies, Balkwill rejected them all. He then opened negotiations solely with Armor, trying to get the firm to lower the price. He did not put the contract out to bid again.

The jail contract has been wrapped in controversy for months -- accusing Balkwill of picking Armor without taking competitive bids.

Lawyers with Sarasota's Kirk Pinkerton law firm subpoenaed expense documents detailing multiple free gifts to Balkwill.

Balkwill also reported receiving free trips to other resorts.

A violation of the gift law can result in punishments ranging from:
- public censure
- fines
- removal from office.

Staff writer Doug Sword contributed to this story.

Click here for the full story.

Click here for a secondary source.

Balkwill is a bafoon. :? We, the employees of the Sarasota Sheriff's Office, have been saying this since Balkwill got elected, but nobody believed us. Now the dirt is starting to rise to the surface and the public is finally starting to see what we've been saying all along. He's dirty and he's left a dirty stain on the office of sheriff.

Does this even warrant a response the Sheriff will be retired in 6 months. The case will be continues over and over just as our criminal cases do then we know the rest. A settlement and move on.

Besides this a attorney speaking in the article to a news reporter. The only truth to the entire article is they were alive and breathing when it was written. :roll: :roll:

Balkwill is a bafoon. :? We, the employees of the Sarasota Sheriff's Office, have been saying this since Balkwill got elected, but nobody believed us. Now the dirt is starting to rise to the surface and the public is finally starting to see what we've been saying all along. He's dirty and he's left a dirty stain on the office of sheriff.

If you're a sworn officer and if you know that Balkwill is engaged in corrupt activities, then why didn't you take action?

[News Flash]

Follow-up Herald-Tribune story:

Hook, line and sheriff

Lawyers with Sarasota's Kirk Pinkerton law firm subpoenaed expense documents detailing multiple free gifts to Balkwill.

http://www.kirkpinkerton.com/ :devil:

[quote=Citizen Kane]

Balkwill is a bafoon. :? We, the employees of the Sarasota Sheriff's Office, have been saying this since Balkwill got elected, but nobody believed us. Now the dirt is starting to rise to the surface and the public is finally starting to see what we've been saying all along. He's dirty and he's left a dirty stain on the office of sheriff.

If you're a sworn officer and if you know that Balkwill is engaged in corrupt activities, then why didn't you take action?[/quote:25hvzwqd]


Hello,

How do we even know this is a crime? There has to be intent to defraud. Show me where the intent is... Without the elements of the crime there is no crime.

No its not a crime but its ethical unsound and poor leadership...If you do not recognize that its a problem then your just as sad as they are...

No its not a crime but its ethical unsound and poor leadership...If you do not recognize that its a problem then your just as sad as they are...

Point taken.

Isn't it ironic when someone calls another an "idiot' and mis-spells the word? You can't make this stuff up. Too frickin funny.

The Crime is the fact that those jail medical staffers are as worthless as tits on a boar hog. Hire 10 RN's as SSO employess. Simple and cost effective