Crowley Political Report

Jim Greer blames Florida Republican leaders for his downfall

Tampa television station WTSP is airing a two-part series on the downfall of former Florida Republican Party chairman Jim Greer.

Part 2 is the most interesting. The reporter, Mike Deeson, gives Greer free rein. If Greer was challenged about any of his assertions, viewers don't see it. Deeson also interviews Greer's wife, Lisa, Greer attorney Cheney Mason, and other Greer supporters.

An excerpt:

Oviedo, FL - Money, greed and political backstabbing appeared to have been commonplace in the Florida Republican Party's effort to oust former Chairman Jim Greer and undermine former Governor Charlie Crist's Senate bid.

Greer, who ended up in jail, has never talked about the inner workings of the Republican Party until now.

When 10 News asked Greer how this incident affected his life a year later, Greer choked up. He couldn't talk for more than 20 seconds and finally said, "Well, I can't get a job and I have no money to take care of my family because I have to give it all to my attorneys."

Greer says his problems began when he fired party fundraiser Meredith O'Rourke. O'Rourke was making $30,000 a month and a 10% commission on everything she brought in.

Greer says he underestimated her ties to the conservative wing of the party and influential lobbyists.

Charlie Crist's statement to FDLE in Greer case

Gov. Charlie Crist sent a sworn written affidavit to FDLE agents investigating former Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer.

Crist responded with eight points:

1. I personally know Jim Greer, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF).

2. Since Mr. Greer's resignation as Chairman of RPOF, I have learned of a company called Victory Strategies, LLC.

3. Prior to Mr. Greene's resignation as Chairman, I had never heard of Victory Strategies, LLC.

Details of the investigation into Jim Greer

Here are 81 pages of details from Florida Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents investigating former Florida Republican Party Jim Greer. Greer investigation

There is some fascinating reading....including increasingly desperate text message that Greer and his wife Lisa sent Delmar Johnson III as everything was starting to unravel.

Excerpts from call taped by Delmar Johnson

"I was hearing all last week that you were throwing me under the bus."

"I'm not doing that at all."

That's the opening of a 56 minute conversation on March 25, between the then ousted chairman of the Florida Republican Party, Jim Greer, and the also ousted executive director Delmar Johnson III.

And Greer repeatedly tells Johnson that the two have to stick together. "All the attorneys say that - you and Delmar need to be talking a lot." and later "All the lawyers told me you and Delmar need to stick together."

At one point, Greer says, "We've got to sit down and get back on track and neither one us have to worry about the other person."

"You never have to worrry about me," Johnson replies.

Delmar Johnson trades "controlled phone calls" for freedom

Delmar Johnson III got a nice deal from prosecutors investigating former Florida GOP chairman Jim Greer and the company he set up with Johnson - Victory Strategies LLC.

According to a report  by the Orlando Sentinel, Johnson, the party's former executive director, got "No prison. No probation. No fine. No criminal record." Johnson does have to pay back $65,000 he was accused of stealing from the Republican Party.

Greer was arrested and charged with six felonies. Greer says he did nothing wrong. Prosecutors say Greer got $125,000 from Victory Strategies - money paid by the RPOF. Greer is fighting the charges.

Buried in the Orlando Sentinel story is this nugget - Johnson agreed to make "controlled telephone calls" for the investigation.

Which leaves us wondering - Did Johnson call anyone besides Greer?

 

RNC discovers possible wrongdoing in Florida

Shocking but true - the Republican National Committee has apparently become aware of the arrest of former Florida GOP chairman Jim Greer.

The RNC's quick response team must have been distracted. But by golly they are now officially disturbed by what has happened calling Greer's conduct, if true, "unacceptable," according to CNN.

RNC spokesman Doug Heye said donors "have a right to know that that their hard earned money is being used, as they expect, to elect candidates who stand for their principles."