RPOF Files Ethics Complaint Against Charlie Crist

The Republican Party of Florida filed its third ethics complaint against former Gov. Charlie Crist on Thursday, this time alleging that Crist tapped a partner at Morgan & Morgan to the Judicial Nominating Committee (JNC) in an apparent exchange for a position at the Orlando-based law firm.

The complaint alleges that Crist appointed Morgan & Morgan partner Joseph Linnehan to the JNC after opening talks to join the law firm. The vacancy was left open for over five months before Linnehan was chosen by then-Gov. Crist to take over.

Less than two weeks after the appointment of Mr. Linnehan, Mr. Crist became employed with Morgan & Morgan, the complaint reads.That fact that Mr. Crist was a public officer during this period of time is without question. At some point, Mr. Crist apparently received a promise of future employment with Morgan & Morgan. It is also apparent that Mr. Crist may have received a special privilege or benefit for himself from Morgan & Morgan.

Thursday's complaint echoes accusations made by former Crist ally and Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein, who says Crist sold judgeships in return for political contributions.

Crist's campaign team dashed the complaint, calling it "absurd."

The camp said:"It doesnt get more ironic than Rick Scott, after pleading the Fifth 75 times to avoid going to jail and leading one of the largest fraud schemes in the history of the U.S., directing his staff to file an absurd ethics complaint against Charlie Crist, the Peoples Governor."