House Dismisses Ethics Complaints Against Ron Saunders

The House Rules & Calendar Committee dismissed the complaints filed by a Tea Party activist against incoming House minority leader Rep. Ron Saunders, D-Key West.

Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, chairman of the committee, wrote a letter to James Barnes in response to allegations that Barnes filed against Saunders. Barnes claimed that Saunders raised campaign funds during the legislative session and that the House member filed incorrect reimbursements for travel and per diem expenses.

Galvano dismissed the charges on several grounds. He wrote, The document received contains no evidence of a properly administered oath or affirmation. He also noted, The complaint has numerous other deficiencies. Galvano then rebutted the specific complaints, noting that the allegation about incorrect per diem and transportation reimbursements contained no evidence and that, while the Saunders campaign desposited checks on the first day of session, the money was raised before the session began.

The ruling came as no surprise to Saunders. We anticipated it, he said on Friday. Once they looked into it, we knew they would find the allegations to be groundless.

Were glad these charges were dismissed eight months before the election, Saunders said, as opposed to right before it.