Federal agents have begun investigating numerous Florida politicians at the State Capitol regarding improper campaign fundraising by now-indicted Hollywood ophthalmologist Alan Mendelsohn and former Ft. Lauderdale State Senator Mandy Dawson.
The charges against Dr. Mendelsohn include fraudulently using three Political Action Committees (PAC’s) to funnel $87,000 through an a former Dawson Aide, Venica Blakely, and ultimately to an unnamed public official from 2003 through 2006. Mendelsohn, well known as a high-rolling fundraiser, has reportedly raised over $2 million for Florida legislators, and apparently lied to investigators regarding his supposed connections and influence over Florida Governor Charlie Crist pertaining to an investigation against an insurance company.
Federal agents questioned a number of legislators regarding Mendelsohn and Dawson’s activities at the Capitol, including lobbying practices. Mendlesohn lobbied legislators on medical issues as well as on behalf of race tracks and casinos. Some allegations of fraud are also related to his representation of these types of entities as a lobbyist.
In a relatively unrelated matter, disgraced former Broward County Commissioner Josephus Eggeletion plead guilty in federal court on Thursday to charges of money laundering. He was accused of helping two other co-conspirators of laundering money provided by undercover federal agents, purportedly as proceeds of criminal acts, through banks in the Virgin Islands and Bahamas.
Later the same day, Eggeletion officially resigned as Broward County Commissioner, as he read his resignation letter sent to the Governor’s office.
Eggeletion will likely be sentenced by Judge Donald Middlebrooks in February, and will remain free on bond until then.
Source: Examiner
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