Ethics Complaint filed today about noon.RE: Senator John Thrasher (District 8 – Duval )Todd W. Byars
6555 Tom Roberts One
Tallahassee, FL 32305April 20, 2010
Philip Claypool
Executive Director and General Counsel
State of Florida Commission on Ethics
P.O. Drawer 15709
Tallahassee, Florida 32317-5709RE: Senator John Thrasher (District 8 – Duval )
Dear Mr. Claypool:
This letter, and the attached complaint Form 50, do serve as a filed complaint against Senator John Thrasher, representing Senate District 8. Based on newspaper, television and Internet news being reported, it appears Senator Thrasher has, on numerous occasions violated the public trust, particularly Florida Statues as listed below.
Accordingly, the Florida Commission on Ethics has jurisdiction over these matters and Senator Thrasher pursuant to Florida Statutes, Section 112.322. The investigation of John Thrasher may also include State and Federal agencies separate from this filing.
The following discussion and attached documents will demonstrate a violation of Florida Statutes, Section 112.311(1), which provides that “public office may not be used for private gain”.
News Agencies and on-line resources indicate a conflict of interest and financial gain by Senator John Thrasher who was until recently, a paid Lobby for Testing Companies and Charter School groups. The referring stories are attached with links or other information to the source. Due to a request for brevity in the instructions for Complaint Form 50, only 2 Items are attached.
Discussion of each item and its relevance to this complaint:
Item 1: Article from Florida Times Union – ‘Testing Companies paid Thrasher’s former lobbying firm.’ John Thrasher was a paid lobby for the firms until very recently. As such he is paid to promote these causes.. This is a conflict of interest when he proposes legislation that benefits his testing companies and charter schools statewide. Senator Thrasher is being paid as a Senator and a Lobby. This is a violation of the Statutes listed above and possibly others.
Item 2: Article from St. Augustine Record – ‘Thrasher denies lobbying for testing firms.’ Similar to Item 1 this article discusses the payments made to Thrasher’s Lobby Firm. Again Senator Thrasher is in violation of Florida Statutes against ‘private gain.’
Attached to this complaint are copies of documents, referenced above.
This complaint requests a complete review of Senator John Thrasher and his promotion of legislation that promotes Testing, Charter Schools, For Profit Schools, or any legislation relating to Education in the State of Florida.
Further, I consider this document to be part of my civic duties and the exercise of my First Amendment right to Free Speech as guaranteed under the Constitution of The United States.
Please contact me in writing with any official requests for additional information. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Todd W. Byars
As filed.
Tangerine, Florida 