Republican U.S. Senate contender George LeMieux denied he had anything to do with the formation of disgraced former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greers fundraising company.
I had no role and was not involved, LeMieux said Wednesday during an appearance at the Florida Press Center in Tallahassee.
LeMieux added that he has not been deposed or contacted in reference to Greer's pending trial on six felony fraud and money laundering charges and four counts of grand theft.
When the information came out, that you all reported in the news, that he might have been taking money and putting it in his own pocket by creating this outside organization, if those allegations are true, then its wrong, and he shouldnt have done it, LeMieux said. He has a fiduciary responsibility, like someone in government does, to make sure those dollars are well spent.
In an interview with Tampa-based WTSP-Channel 10 last month, Greer alleged that LeMieux knew about the fundraising company, Victory Strategies LLC, that was used in the alleged financial scheme.
The campaign for Adam Hasner, who is also seeking the GOP Senate nomination, pounced on LeMieuxs denial.
The facts speak for themselves, stated Doug Mayer, Hasners spokesman. George LeMieux hand-picked Jim Greer, profited off of Jim Greer, and stood by Jim Greers side up until the FDLE agents showed up.
Greer, who allegedly took about $125,000 from the state party for his own use through Victory Strategies, was arrested five months after he was forced from the party chairmanship in January 2010.
LeMieux was paid $10,000 a month as a consultant for the party during 2008 and 2009, after he left the governors office and before Gov. Charlie Crist appointed him to the U.S. Senate.
The Orlando Sentinel reported last week that Greer's attorneys plan to depose Senate President Mike Haridopolos, GOP lobbyist Brian Ballard and others in November.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859 or (772) 215-9889.
