Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate: Rubio And Sansom, Mentor and Mentee
TALLAHASSEE – The Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate campaign today responded to a St. Petersburg Times story outlining Marco Rubio’s hand-picked budget chief and successor, former Speaker Ray Sansom’s, abuse of Republican Party money through the use of his aide’s party credit card.
“It’s clear that, as one of Rubio’s ’12 disciples,’ Ray Sansom learned how to work the system directly from his mentor – Marco Rubio,” said Communications Director Andrea Saul. “Whether spending other people’s money for personal perks or siphoning funds to a college only to then be paid back with an unadvertised job, Rubio showed Sansom firsthand how it was done.”
The Facts:
First: Speaker Rubio charged personal expenses to the Republican Party, on his and others’ credit cards (who could forget the family reunion …)
Following: Speaker Sansom charged personal expenses to the Republican Party, on his and others’ credit cards
First: Speaker Rubio earmarked millions to a college and then took an unadvertised job at the college
Following: Speaker Sansom earmarked millions to a college and then took an unadvertised job at the college
“With Speaker Rubio, it’s not just what we know,” concluded Saul, “It’s what we don’t know.”
Background Information
Speaker Rubio’s Abuse Of Florida GOP Credit Card: “Explanations … Just [Don’t] Make Sense”
Rubio’s Spending Of Party Money For Personal Uses While Messaging About Fiscal Responsibility Is Hypocritical. “Part of [Rubio’s] whole message is about responsibility and being fiscally wise, and, so for a guy’s who’s pounding that publicly, to not be equally careful about not spending his party’s money for personal uses could look hypocritical.” (CNN, Jessica Yellin, 2/26/10)
Speaker Rubio Charged $109,618 To His GOP Credit Card. “During his two-year stint as House speaker, Rubio charged $109,618 to his GOP credit card, and repaid about $16,000 for personal expenses (including the infamous haircut, though not the minivan repair or the Apple splurge).” (The Miami Herald, Carl Hiaasen, GOP offer even a liberal couldn’t refuse,” 2/27/10)
The Republican Party Of Florida Paid $109,618 In Rubio’s Credit Card Bills Over Two Years. “The party paid the rest of Rubio’s $109,618 in credit card bills over two years, which included a $412 charge at All Fusion Electronics in Miami on April 24, 2007, a day when travel records show he was in Tallahassee.” (St. Petersburg Times/ Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard, Scott Hiaasen and Adam C. Smith, “Marco Rubio: Double-billing of flights ‘a mistake’,” 2/27/10)
Speaker Rubio’s Personal Expenses Were Covered By The Party. “His campaign said Friday it had not identified any additional expenses that need to be repaid. The credit card records, however, indicate that at least some of Rubio’s personal expenses were covered by the party.” (St. Petersburg Times/ Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard, Scott Hiaasen and Adam C. Smith, “Marco Rubio: Double-billing of flights ‘a mistake’,” 2/27/10)
Party Spokeswoman Said “Card Was Not Supposed To Be Used For Personal Expenses.” “Party spokeswoman Katie Gordon said the card was not supposed to be used for personal expenses. ‘The RPOF American Express card is a corporate card and is meant to be used for business expenses,’ Gordon said when asked about the party’s policy.” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
Under IRS Rules, Party Donations “Must Go Exclusively Toward Influencing Elections,” Not Personal Expenses. “Donations to parties must go exclusively toward influencing elections under IRS rules.” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
Law Experts Say Rubio’s Card Should Have Only Covered Expenses Aimed At Influencing Elections. “Election law experts say party credit cards should cover only expenses aimed at influencing elections — fundraising, voter registration, candidate recruitment — under IRS rules for tax-exempt organizations.” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
Speaker Rubio Identified At Least $1,265 In Personal Expenses Billed To The Party Between March And November 2008, … But Rubio Repaid Only $982.” “Rubio has identified at least $1,265 in personal expenses billed to the card between March and November 2008: $1,024 in charges from a Tallahassee property management company, and $241 for a flight to Las Vegas after a relative’s death. But during that eight-month period, Rubio repaid only $982 toward the credit card, the records show. Rubio’s campaign would not provide a list of all the personal expenses he repaid.” (St. Petersburg Times/ Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard, Scott Hiaasen and Adam C. Smith, “Marco Rubio: Double-billing of flights ‘a mistake’,” 2/27/10)
Rubio Failed To Pay Off Bills Every Months And “The Party Picked Up His Late Fees Several Times.” “Rubio has declined to itemize personal expenses for which he reimbursed the state party. And Rubio’s credit card statements show that, in fact, he did not always pay off the bills every month. There was at least one six month period when he did not pay, and the party picked up his late fees several times.” (St. Petersburg Times’ Buzz Blog, “Marco Rubio denies $130 hair cut,” 3/4/10)
Rubio Made No Payments To His Card During A Six-Month Stretch, Leaving The Party With The Bills. “Records show Rubio sent payments to American Express totaling $16,000 for his personal expenses during his tenure as House speaker. But those payments were not made monthly. He made no contributions to the bill during a six-month stretch in 2007, records show.” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
Rubio Has Not Answered If He Paid Interest On The Payments And Late Fees The Party Picked Up For Him. “But for those fortunate enough to carry Republican plastic, even reimbursement is painless. During one stretch, Rubio went six months before covering his own expenses. Whether he paid any interest or late fees is one of many unanswered questions facing his busy spokesperson.” (The Miami Herald, Carl Hiaasen, GOP offer even a liberal couldn’t refuse,” 2/27/10)
Speaker “Rubio Charged Grocery Bills, Repairs To The Family Minivan And Purchases From A Wine Store … to the Republican Party of Florida.” “U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio charged grocery bills, repairs to the family minivan and purchases from a wine store less than a mile from his West Miami home to the Republican Party of Florida while he was speaker of the Florida House, according to records obtained by The Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times.” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
Speaker Rubio Even “Billed The GOP For Expenses In Tallahassee During the Legislative Sessions.” “Rubio also billed the GOP for expenses in Tallahassee during the legislative sessions in 2007 and 2008.” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
Speaker Rubio Charged $4,100 To The GOP In Restaurant Tabs, From $409 At Macaroni Grill To $7.09 At Chick-Fil-A. “The bills include nearly $4,100 in restaurant tabs during the 2007 and 2008 sessions — from a $409 bill at a Macaroni Grill to a $7.09 charge at a Chick-fil-A.” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
Speaker Rubio Charged The GOP $4,000 For Repairs To His Family Minivan. “When his family’s minivan got banged up, the former speaker charged the party nearly $4,000 for repairs and a five-week car rental. That’s so much nicer than having to pay for it yourself, the way ordinary folks do.” (The Miami Herald, Carl Hiaasen, GOP offer even a liberal couldn’t refuse,” 2/27/10)
The Republican Party Of Florida Picked Up $1,000 Of Rubio’s Repairs To His Family’s Minivan. “Those expenses include a $1,000 charge at Braman Honda in Miami for repairs to the family car in January 2008.” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
Speaker Rubio Charged $2,976 To The Party To Rent A Car In Miami For Five Weeks. “The party also paid $2,976 for him to rent a car in Miami for five weeks, according to the records provided by a confidential source.” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
Speaker Rubio Charged $765 To The Party At Apple’s Online Store. “Charges covered by the party as political expenses include: $765 at Apple’s online store for ‘computer supplies.’” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
Rubio Racked Up $765 At Apple Citing The Expense “Was For A Hard Drive ‘To Store Political Files.’ … As If Political Data Require Gobs Of Extra Gigabytes.” “Here’s another cool way to score with a GOP credit card: Go to the Apple store online and explore. That’s where Rubio racked up $765 in ‘computer supplies.’ His spokesperson — and you’ll definitely need your own spokesperson if you get this credit card — says that the $765 expenditure was for a hard drive ‘to store political files.’ The GOP’s bean counters actually bought this lame story, as if political data require gobs of extra gigabytes.” (The Miami Herald, Carl Hiaasen, GOP offer even a liberal couldn’t refuse,” 2/27/10)
Rubio Spent $765 For An Alleged Hard Drive When In Reality “You Can Buy Four For That Price.” ““Go to the Apple store online and explore. That’s where Rubio racked up $765 in ‘computer supplies.’ … (Just for fun, try to find an Apple hard drive that costs $765. You can buy four for that price.)” (The Miami Herald, Carl Hiaasen, GOP offer even a liberal couldn’t refuse,” 2/27/10)
Speaker Rubio Charged $25.76 To The Party At Everglades Lumber. “Charges covered by the party as political expenses include$ 25.76 from Everglades Lumber for ‘supplies.’” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
Rubio Charged Expenses For Groceries and Alcohol To The Party. “Some of Rubio’s more modest bills came from Winn Dixie, Farm Stores, even a store called Happy Wine.” (The Miami Herald, Carl Hiaasen, GOP offer even a liberal couldn’t refuse,” 2/27/10)
Speaker Rubio Charged $53.49 To The Party At His Hometown Winn-Dixie. “Charges covered by the party as political expenses include$ 53.49 at Winn-Dixie in Miami for ‘food.’” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
Speaker Rubio Charged $68.33 To The Party At Happy Wine. “Charges covered by the party as political expenses include: $68.33 at Happy Wine in Miami for ‘beverages’ and ‘meal.’” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
Speaker Rubio Charged $78.10 To The Party At Farm Stores In His Hometown. “Charges covered by the party as political expenses include: $78.10 for two purchases at Farm Stores in suburban Miami.” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
Speaker Rubio Charged $412 To The Party At A Music Equipment Store In His Hometown. “Charges covered by the party as political expenses include: $412 at All Fusion Electronics, a music equipment store in Miami, for ‘supplies.’” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
Rubio Charged Expense To Miami Store While In Tallahassee. “The party paid the rest of Rubio’s $109,618 in credit card bills over two years, which included a $412 charge at All Fusion Electronics in Miami on April 24, 2007, a day when travel records show he was in Tallahassee. The campaign says the bill was for ‘computer repairs.’” (St. Petersburg Times/ Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard, Scott Hiaasen and Adam C. Smith, “Marco Rubio: Double-billing of flights ‘a mistake’,” 2/27/10)
Rubio Claims The $412 He Charged To The GOP At “All Fusion” Was For “Computer Repairs.” However, “If You Visit All Fusion, You Won’t See Many Computers. … The Company Does Sell Drum Kits, Guitars And Karaoke Machines.” “Here’s another good one. On a day in 2007 when Rubio’s travel records said he was in Tallahassee, he charged $412 at a shop called All Fusion Electronics in Miami. His campaign claimed the bill was for ‘computer repairs,’ although the GOP lists the expense as ‘supplies.’ If you visit All Fusion, you won’t see many computers. However, the company does sell drum kits, guitars and karaoke machines.” (The Miami Herald, Carl Hiaasen, GOP offer even a liberal couldn’t refuse,” 2/27/10)
“Rubio’s Campaign Could Not Find Records To Explain … These Expenses.” “Rubio’s campaign could not find records to explain many of these expenses Wednesday night.” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
Speaker Rubio Charged Six Flights To The Party, Even When She Didn’t Fly. “Rubio also booked six plane tickets for his wife using the card. It was unclear how many, if any, of those trips his wife actually took; in some instances, she did not fly and Rubio was credited by the airline.” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
Speaker Rubio Made Odd Claim That His Wife ‘Was The First Lady Of The Florida House’ To Justify Her Republican Party Paid-For Flights. “‘My wife was the First Lady of the Florida House of Representatives and it is absolutely appropriate for her to accompany me to official events and party functions,’ Rubio said.” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
MSNBC Chides Rubio For Flimsy Defense Of Wife’s Free Flights. “And don’t miss this statement from Rubio defending purchasing airplane tickets for his wife on the state party’s credit card. “My wife was the first lady of the Florida House of Representatives, and it is absolutely appropriate for her to accompany me to official events and party functions,” Rubio said. First lady of the Florida House of Representatives? Have you heard Harry Reid, Denny Hastert, etc. refer to their wives that way?” (MSNBC’s First Read, “incoming!” 2/25/2010)
Speaker Rubio Criss-Crossed Florida On The Party’s Dime. “The majority of the expenses on Rubio’s card covered travel costs as he trekked across the state and the country in his dual role as House speaker and party leader. Rubio visited Orlando, St. Petersburg and Pensacola, flew to New Hampshire in 2008 to campaign for Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, and went to the party’s national convention that year in Minneapolis.” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
Speaker Rubio Billed The Party For A Campaign Junket To New Hampshire. “The majority of the expenses on Rubio’s card covered travel costs as he trekked across the state and the country in his dual role as House speaker and party leader. Rubio visited Orlando, St. Petersburg and Pensacola, flew to New Hampshire in 2008 to campaign for Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, and went to the party’s national convention that year in Minneapolis.” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
Speaker Rubio Charged The GOP More Than $7,000 For Flights During Legislative Session. “The GOP also paid more than $7,000 for Rubio’s flights between Tallahassee and Miami during the 2007 and 2008 sessions, the records show.” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Scott Hiaasen, “Marco Rubio charged personal bills on GOP card,” 2/24/10)
Charter Planes, Chauffeurs And Fancy Hotels For Rubio Were Charged To The Republican Party. “Days before he was sworn in as speaker of the Florida House, Marco Rubio and his top deputies hopped on a charter plane to Washington, checked into a $600-a-night hotel hosting a Republican party conference and hired a chauffeur to squire them around the city. The costs were charged to the state party-issued credit card belonging to Rubio’s chief of staff, Richard Corcoran, a Republican operative recently transferred to the state payroll.” (St. Petersburg Times/The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Adam Smith, “Marco Rubio’s ex-aide put hefty expenses on GOP credit card,” 3/23/10)
Rubio’s Family Reunion Was Charged To The Republican Party. “Though the Internal Revenue Service requires party money to be spent on political activities, many of Corcoran’s charges were personal: a $20 haircut, more than $400 in airline fees for a canceled family trip to Spain, $1,600 at a frame shop, $1,200 for handcrafted chairs for top Republican officials and $6,773 at a Georgia resort for a Rubio family reunion.” (St. Petersburg Times/The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Adam Smith, “Marco Rubio’s ex-aide put hefty expenses on GOP credit card,” 3/23/10)
CNN: “I’ve Been Reading Through [Rubio’s] Explanation Of How This Happened, And I’ll Just Be Honest With You, It Doesn’t Make Sense. It Just Doesn’t Make Sense.” “I’ve been reading through his official explanation of how this happened, and I’ll just be honest with you, it doesn’t make sense. It just doesn’t make sense.” (CNN, Rick Sanchez, 2/26/10)
Rubio Earmarked Big Sums Of Money To FIU, Was Awarded With Unadvertised Job
After Having Obtained Millions For FIU, Rubio Got A $69,000 A Year Unadvertised Teaching Job While Still Speaker. “Florida International University leaders were eager for one of their hometown legislators to become speaker of the House, and Marco Rubio delivered. ‘We had a great year,’ FIU’s lobbyist said of millions in new funding in 2007, crediting Rubio and the Miami-Dade delegation. The following year, as term limits forced Rubio to exit the Legislature and contemplate his next political move, FIU offered him a $69,000, part-time job that was never publicly advertised.” (St. Petersburg Times/The Miami Herald, Alex Leary and Beth Reinhard, “Rubio’s relationship with university raises questions,” 12/12/09)
Rubio Earmarked Big Sums Of Money To FIU, Was Awarded With A Job. “Crist has also criticized Rubio’s teaching contract with Florida International University, which hired Rubio as a part-time professor for $69,000. The turkey list ties Rubio to a total of $21 million for an FIU hurricane center and medical school during Rubio’s last years in office.” (St. Petersburg Times/ Miami Herald, Marc Caputo, “Rubio sent his share of pork,” 3/9/10)
FIU Was Eager For Speaker Rubio To Deliver For Them. “Florida International University leaders were eager for one of their hometown legislators to become speaker of the House, and Marco Rubio delivered.” (St. Petersburg Times/The Miami Herald, Alex Leary and Beth Reinhard, “Rubio’s relationship with university raises questions,” 12/12/09)
FIU Brags Speaker Rubio Was “Worth Every Penny.” “Former FIU president Mitch Maidique, who hired Rubio, repeatedly has defended Rubio as being ‘worth every penny’ as an accomplished young politician-teacher.” (St. Petersburg Times/ Miami Herald, Marc Caputo, “Rubio sent his share of pork,” 3/9/10)
FIU Credits Speaker Rubio For Great Year. “‘We had a great year,’ FIU’s lobbyist said of millions in new funding in 2007, crediting Rubio and the Miami-Dade delegation.” (St. Petersburg Times/The Miami Herald, Alex Leary and Beth Reinhard, “Rubio’s relationship with university raises questions,” 12/12/09)
FIU Offered Speaker Rubio A $69,000, Part-Time Unadvertised Job. “The following year, as term limits forced Rubio to exit the Legislature and contemplate his next political move, FIU offered him a $69,000, part-time job that was never publicly advertised.” (St. Petersburg Times/The Miami Herald, Alex Leary and Beth Reinhard, “Rubio’s relationship with university raises questions,” 12/12/09)
Rubio Secured Job During “The Most Serious Budget Crisis In [FIU’s] History.” “Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio has landed a part-time job at Florida International University that pays $69,000, amid layoffs and tuition hikes caused by what the university president called ‘the most serious budget crisis in our history.’” (The Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard and Oscar Corral, “FIU gives Rubio a job,” 7/25/08)
“Critics Questioned Rubio’s Soft Landing As FIU Trustees Grappled With A $32 Million Budget Shortfall That Led To Tuition Hikes And The Loss Of 23 Degree Programs And 200 Jobs.” “Critics questioned Rubio’s soft landing as FIU trustees grappled with a $32 million budget shortfall that led to tuition hikes and the loss of 23 degree programs and 200 jobs.” (St. Petersburg Times/The Miami Herald, Alex Leary and Beth Reinhard, “Rubio’s relationship with university raises questions,” 12/12/09)
A Concerned Citizen Complained Of Rubio’s Special Treatment Citing “Ordinary Citizens Aren’t Privy To Inside Deals Associated With Politicians Who Secure University Funding.” “Florida International University President Mitch Maidique created a new job for state House Speaker Marco Rubio. Thousands of students will be negatively affected by increases in tuition and cuts in curriculum that were mandated from budget shortfalls. However, Maidique had no problem creating a position and spending thousands of dollars on an arrogant politician. Ordinary citizens aren’t privy to inside deals associated with politicians who secure university funding.” (The Miami Herald, Arthur Kaplan, Letter to the editor: “Rubio’s New Job,” 7/30/08)
“Ah, It Must Be Good To Be King. Just Ask House Speaker Marco Rubio. … The Herald Quoted An FIU Professor Who Had To Shut Down A Program Because Of Budget Cuts As Saying Rubio’s Hiring Is ‘Ironic.’ Disgusting Is A Better Description.” “Ah, it must be good to be king. Just ask House Speaker Marco Rubio. As The Miami Herald pointed out in a news story last week, the Legislature wasn’t exactly kind to the budget of the state’s universities under Rubio’s watch. Florida International University in Miami, Rubio’s hometown, had to raise tuition by 15 percent because of $14 million in state funding cuts, the newspaper said. The university also cut 23 degree programs and 200 jobs, including faculty positions. So now that Rubio is leaving the Legislature because of term limits, what is he going to do? For one thing, he’s going to take a part-time job at – you guessed it – FIU as a ‘visiting distinguished service professor,’ according to the Herald. For the part-time work, Rubio will be paid $69,000. He told the Herald he would work 15 to 20 hours a week from July to May. The Herald quoted an FIU professor who had to shut down a program because of budget cuts as saying Rubio’s hiring is ‘ironic.’ Disgusting is a better description.” (Florida Times Union, Ronald L. Littlepage, “An ‘ironic’ and cushy job for House speaker,” 7/27/08)
CONTACT:
Crist Communications
(850) 907-1218
News@CharlieCrist.com
