A high-profile Republican on Thursday filed a second lawsuit against Charlie Crist, this time claiming the governor is violating the Florida public records law.
John Rood, a former U.S. ambassador and Jacksonville businessman, submitted a series of public-records requests to the governor's office, seeking documents pertaining to, among other things, Crist's veto of Senate Bill 6 and his decision to run for U.S. Senate as a No Party Affiliation candidate.
Citing "significant policy shifts as [Crist] pondered running for U.S. Senate without a party affiliation," Rood's complaint said the release of records was crucial to "ensure public confidence and integrity in decision-making."
When Rood received no response to his Aug. 25 requests, he filed a complaint with the Circuit Court in Leon County, seeking an expedited hearing on the matter.
Per Florida Statute 119.11(1), Rood's attorney, Matthew Gaetz III, asked the court to require Crist to produce the requested documents immediately.
In his filing, Gaetz quoted Florida Statute 119.07(1)(c), which states, "A custodian of public records and his or her designee must acknowledge requests to inspect or copy records promptly and respond to such requests in good faith."
"Governor Crist to date has refused to provide even a cost estimate or general time frame for compliance with the requests, leaving the plaintiff to wonder if any public records will be produced."
Gaetz went on to suggest that Crist "is hoping to delay the production of possibly embarrassing public records until after the election."
Crist spokesman Sterling Ivey said, "While we have not been formally served of the pending suit, Governor Crist looks forward to standing on his record and prevailing in court.
"Governor Crist believes government should be open and transparent and his very first executive order after taking office established the Office of Open Government. He has been recognized by the First Amendment Foundation for the last two years for championing open government and public record policies," Ivey added.
Rood, whom Crist appointed finance chairman of the Republican Party in 2009, is also suing the governor to reclaim Republican campaign contributions made to Crist.
Joined in that suit with Linda Morton of Naples, Rood wants Crist to refund some $7.5 million in GOP donations since the governor bolted the party and is running NPA.
President George W. Bush appointed Rood to be U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas, where he served from 2004-2007.
In 1983, Rood founded The Vestcor Companies, which began as a brokerage of multifamily properties in the Jacksonville area.
Gaetz, son of state Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, is the Republican candidate for the 4th House District of Florida.
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Contact Kenric Ward at kward@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 801-5341.
