Lars Hafner: Democrat of the Week

Did State College of Florida President Lars Hafner, a former Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives, forge signatures on college documents? The investigation into whether he did or didn't became a formal criminal probe when the case was referred to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on Friday.

In June, College trustees reported Hafner to the commissioner of education after a former employee claimed in an affidavit that Hafner forged the signature of former BOT Chairman Steve Harner.

A particularly incriminating piece of evidence: The whistleblower saved a document that appears to show Hafner practicing the signature before signing it.

According to the story from Saturday's Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Hafner admits he signed Harner's name on a few occasions but said he had permission from the Venice restaurant and marina owner.

Hafner has been president of the college in Manatee and Sarasota counties for four years. Before that, he spent 12 years as a Democratic House member from Pinellas County.