Jeffrey Auslander for Florida State Representative District 89

The School of Unethical Behavior presented by Mary Brandenburg

Click here or on the image above to play this animated political cartoon.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE
FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
IN AND FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA
FALL TERM 2006

IN RE: THE BUSINESS PRACTICES OF
THE CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA
IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY BY
THE STATE OF FLORIDA

The Grand Jury Presentment on the City of West Palm Beach

Part A

“Pay to Play” Introduction

After irregular and illegal practices surfaced regarding Republic Properties and the West Palm Beach City Center project₁, this Grand Jury was convened to investigate corruption, ethics and whether the City of West Palm Beach conducts business under a “pay to play” practice. Witnesses who testified included residents, the mayor, elected city officials, former and present city employees, commissioners, vendors, developers and businesses who have conducted business with or within the city.

In addition to witness testimony, the Grand Jury received and reviewed documents, correspondence, emails and other evidence.

_{1 Republic Properties Corporation, a real estate development company, paid consulting fees to then City Commissioner Ray Liberti in relation to the City Center project. The City Center project is the construction of a civic complex that will house City Hall, the public library, and a non-profit cultural and educational institute in downtown West Palm Beach.}

Pay to play

One of the questions addressed by this Grand Jury is: Is the City of West Palm Beach a “pay to play” city? The question posed in another way: Is it the understanding among developers and businesses that in order to successfully conduct business with the City of West Palm Beach, the developers and businesses must make large financial contributions or other considerations?
The evidence is as follows:

(more…)