Former Speaker Ray Sansom Resigns From the Florida House of Representatives
Feb 21, 2010
Above: Former House Speaker Ray Sansom
Former House Speaker Ray Sansom submitted his resignation from Florida House of Representatives District 4, effective today, Sunday, February 21, 2010.
His resignation letter is attached.
Blog coverage from the St. Petersburg Times is reprinted below.
Should you have any questions or comments, please contact Colodny Fass.
Ex-Speaker Ray Sansom resigns from Florida House
The Buzz, February 21, 2010
TALLAHASSEE – Ray Sansom resigned from the Florida House of Representatives on Sunday night, a dramatic decision on the eve before his colleagues were to begin an ethics trial over his dealings with a Panhandle college.
“Let me state that this shall not be received as an admission of any wrongdoing,” Sansom wrote in a letter. “On the contrary, I have steadfastly maintained that I am innocent of any wrongdoing and I will never relent from that position.”
The decision, reached just before 8 p.m., ends a legislative career that once put Sansom at the apex of Florida politics but unraveled in scandal as he took a job at Northwest Florida State College on the same day in November 2008 that he was sworn in as House speaker.
“This is a resolution that’s in the best interest of everyone involved. He’s is no longer a member of the Florida House,” said Rep. Bill Galvano, the Bradenton Republican who chaired the disciplinary panel.
“We are his colleagues and that makes it heart wrenching,” Galvano said.
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