Attorneys for indicted clients rarely shy away from hitting hyperbolic high notes. To say that Jim Greer's lawyer, Damon Chase, is heated up is an understatement.
"It's outrageous," the Orlando attorney said of the ex-Republican Party chairman's arrest Wednesday morning. "Twelve armed gunmen stormed his house and held his wife and children at bay while ransacking the place for 3 1/2 hours."
Saying "Elian Gonzalez was treated better," Chase denounced the "government thugs" who pressed the state's case against Greer.
"My client committed the unforgivable sin of getting into a political dispute with the people who run Florida."
Chase said Greer crossed the Republican Party power structure, "which resulted in a civil dispute over contracts and compensation."
"It's all over money. (Greer) used a contract (for his Victory Strategies LLC) that is a form used by the Republican Party. It's always been done that way and always will be."
"The people who were supposed to know did know. The use of fund-raising fees was ratified by the CEO and the attorney for the party. (Senate President-Designate) Mike Haridopolos and (RPOF Chairman) John Thrasher denied it, and they were lying through their teeth."
But, Chase fumed, "the grand jury only heard half the story."
Expect him to tell Greer's half of the story in the days and weeks to come.
RPOF spokeswoman Katie Gordon Betta responded:
The sad reality here is that Mr. Chase represents a man who was arrested today by the FDLE and indicted by a grand jury on six felony charges. Under these unfortunate circumstances, his comments can be taken for what they are worth.
Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, and Thrasher, R-Jacksonville, were not immediately available for comment.
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Contact Kenric Ward at kward@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 801-5341.
