The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office is investigating claims that businessman Andrew Korge offered Sen. Dwight Bullard $25,000 to pull out of the Senate District 40 campaign.
The State Attorney’s office told the Miami New Times it was opening a probe and working with Bullard over the claims.
"I have to do a followup on that with their investigator,” Bullard told the New Times.
A bribery conviction under Chapter 838.015 of the Florida Statutes is a second-degree felony punishable by a 21-month minimum jail sentence, 15 years maximum and up to $10,000 in fines. A conviction under FS 104.071 -- pertaining to ethics -- carries with it a permanent ban on holding public office in Florida.
Sunshine State News first broke the news about the cash offer last month.
Bullard, a teacher who has served in the Florida Legislature since 2008, told SSN his new primary opponent had been trying to work his way into the race, suggesting first that Bullard move from SD 40 to SD 38, and then have another candidate (presumably Rivas Logan) move to SD 39 so he could run in SD 40 unopposed. SSN attempted to reach out to the State Attorney's office last month but did not hear back.
“He’s come at it from various angles,” Bullard explained.
Bullard said when he didn’t bite on switching districts, Korge then offered him the cash to go away.
“I told my adviser, 'You can tell him to take that money and shove it where the sun is not permanent,'" Bullard recalled.
Korge said in a statement to the New Times that Bullard was using the claims for “political gain” to gain traction in the primary election.
"Dwight Bullard has completely mischaracterized and exploited for political gain our conversations by saying that I offered him 'cash'... Such an allegation is nothing more than a manipulation of the truth. Plus, now that we are running against each other, he is making this an issue for political gain," Korge said. "I welcome any inquiry by the appropriate authorities so that any manipulation of the facts and misconceptions that have been created for political gain can be cleared up."
Bullard said the notion he would use Korge for political gain is simply untrue, since he, not Korge, is the one holding office.
Korge and Bullard’s third primary opponent Ana Rivas Logan dropped out Tuesday, leaving the race down to Korge and Bullard.
Rivas Logan cited a need to care for her parents and fierce campaign tactics by “some in the race” as part of her decision to drop out.
"The race changed at the close of qualifying and this has a major impact on our path forward," she wrote. "I firmly believe that I could win this race, but unfortunately, know all too well that this race could turn to distractions rather than focus on the best ideas on how to deliver a strong education system and fighting to raise the wages for our workforce.
“Balancing the care my parents need and what will be in-the-gutter campaign tactics by some in the race, I have chosen to suspend my campaign today knowing that my future in public service is not over,” she continued.
Whichever candidate wins the Democratic primary will face off against Rep. Frank Artiles, R-Miami, for the seat in November.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
