Latest Member Of The Club
You can add another to the list of a group of Florida Republicans currently under investigation of one kind or another: Leader of the movement to defund Planned Parenthood, Cliff Stearns:
A private clash became public Wednesday when Clay Clerk of the Court James Jett accused U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns of plotting to buy him out of this fall’s Republican congressional primary. Stearns’ office turned the table, calling Jett’s actions a “contemptuous” ploy to solicit compensation.
Jett said the FBI wiretapped his phone and recorded conversations about offers to withdraw.
The FBI wouldn’t confirm or deny an investigation, and no one would corroborate Jett’s accusations.
Jett is running against Stearns in newly drawn Florida District 3, which includes much of Clay County. Stearns now represents Clay in 6th District from his home in Ocala, but that city is now in U.S. Rep. Rich Nugent’s district. Stearns said he will move to Orange Park.][Jett said one offer included a job on Stearns’ campaign staff that would pay him to cover the approximately $25,000 he had spent on his congressional run. He also said he was told there could be a job heading the Florida Department of Law Enforcement or a U.S. marshal position once there are vacancies.]
[According to paperwork Jett provided to the Times-Union, he also gave Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll’s name to the FBI. Jett said Carroll, a former Clay County state representative, confirmed the job offer to his political consultant, Matt Justice.
Stearns has led the push in Congress to defund Planned Parenthood. Stearns is endorsing U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV in his bid for the Senate and will be fund raising for him.
Stearns joins the group of several Florida Republicans who are currently under investigation:
Rep. Vern Buchanan is under investigation over campaign contributions, an investigation that is widening. In spite of that, John Boehner recently held a fundraiser for Buchanan.
David Rivera and Marco Rubio have both been under investigations for their financial disclosure problems. Rubio recently also asked that an ethics investigation against him be closed, I suppose just in time for a hopeful VP run?
Let's hope the Stearns investigation will keep him busy enough to keep him from further policing women's unteri.
Photo: Cliff Stearns, U.S. House
