Tuesday's Afternoon Pulse
Attorney General's Office Ordered to Pay $7m in Bingo Case
Back in 1995, then-attorney general Bob Butterworth used a secret-type of injunction in an effort to shut down out-of-state interests running bingo parlors as illegal gaming operations. The state eventually lost the case. But the AG's offfice refused to post a $1.4 million bond in case of damages, claiming it had sovereign immunity.
Now a judge has ordered now Attorney General Bill McCollum to pay $7m in a case that could have cost taxpayers far less if it had just settled way back when rather than used the courts and repeated motions to fight a losing case.
"It's the case from hell," says Orlando attorney Steve Mason. "McCollum didn't start this pig. But he kept the pig going."
[Source: Miami Herald]
MUST-KNOW FLORIDIAN |
OUT OF THE BOX From the Times of London: |
Former Taylor Bean Chairman Accused of Siphoning $50 Million
The former chairman of Ocala-based Taylor Bean & Whitaker, which was at one time the largest mortgage company not owned by a bank, is accused of siphoning off $50 million from the company "for his personal benefit." The Wall Street Journal is reporting that allegations against former chairman Lee Farkas surfaced in filings in Jacksonville where the company has filed for bankruptcy.
[Source: Times-Union]
Poll: McCollum Stronger Against Sink than Scott in Gov. Race
A new Rasmussen poll of likely Florida voters finds Republican Attorney General Bill McCollum continuing to hold a modest 43% to 35% lead over Democrat Alex Sink. Eleven percent (11%) like some other candidate in the race, and another 11% are undecided. The current results reflect the lowest level of support yet measured for McCollum and match the lowest total for Sink. Last month, McCollum posted a 45% to 38% lead over Sink, who is currently Florida’s chief financial officer. But Scott is coming up, see the chart below.
| Election 2010: Florida Governor (early polling) |
|
McCollum -vs- Sink |
|
Bill McCollum (R) |
43% |
Alex Sink (D) |
35% |
Some other candidate |
11% |
Not sure |
11% |
| Scott -vs- Sink | |
Rick Scott (R) |
41% |
Alex Sink (D) |
40% |
Some other candidate |
7% |
Not sure |
12% |
| [Source: Rasmussen] | |
'Times' Article Encourages Travel to Cape, Just Don't Stay in Titusville or Cocoa Beach
Chambers of Commerce can't be happy about a Sunday New York Times travel article that recommends people book a trip now to see the last two space shuttle missions, but doesn't recommend staying in Titusville or Cocoa Beach.
"Despite the distance, Orlando may be the best bet for accommodations. Titusville, about 10 miles from space center, is a small, sleepy and, some might say, seedy town with a handful of not too luxurious motels and hotels that jack up their prices whenever there is a scheduled shuttle liftoff. And don’t expect much more than fast food for dining options. Cocoa Beach, 19 miles away, is where NASA engineers, astronauts and their families tend to stay. The town has a larger selection of accommodations and restaurants, but it isn’t a dream destination either (read: crowded, touristy and tacky) and there, too, prices are astronomical during shuttle launchings."
BP: 2,000 Barrels a Day Now Captured From Oil Leak
BP says its mile-long tube siphoning oil from a blown-out well is bringing more crude to the surface.
In a news release Tuesday, BP PLC says the narrow tube is now drawing 2,000 barrels a day for collection in a tanker, double the amount when it started operation Sunday.
BP Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles has said the company hopes the method can draw about half the leaking oil.
[Source: AP ]