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PINELLAS COUNTY-- It's looking more likely that come next year, former Pinellas County sheriff Everett Rice won't be in elected public office for the first time since 1988.
Rice is seeking the Republican nomination for the office of Florida Attorney General which is being vacated by current AG Charlie Crist who is seeking the GOP nomination for Governor.
Rice (R-Treasure Island) had to give up his seat in the Florida House in order to run for Attorney General but even at this early stage of the race, Rice is the distinct underdog in the race.
It also looks like he's using a lot of ink in his campaign. Not only has the law firm of Battaglia, Ross, Dicus and Wein of St. Petersburg donated $500 in ink but firm principal Anthony S. Battagalia, a former member of the Florida Republican National Committee, and Battaglia's law partner Aubrey O. Dicus have each donated $60.24 in ink and Anthony's wife, Catherine, has contributed another $250 in ink.
That's in addition to Battaglia's $250 check and Dicus' two checks in the amount of $250 each for the maximum of $500. With the maximum campaign contribution capped at $500 per person, it appears that Rice may have violated campaign finance law by accepting more than $500 from Dicus.
Dicus has represented the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department and Rice in government related litigation.
All told, the Battaglia law firm and its principals and attorneys have contributed over $2,200 so far to Rice's campaign in money and ink.
The records also indicate that there are multiple contributors to Rice's campaign who did not give their occupation when they donated, a requirement of all individuals who donate more than $100 to a candidate.
The former sheriff who seeks to become the state's chief law enforcement officer seems to be in violation of the law with his campaign financing.
Florida's Division of Elections shows that Rice has raised about $180,000 compared to opponent Joe Negron's $1 million.
Rice's campaign reports also indicate that several principals involved in the Terri Schindler-Schiavo case have contributed to his campaign. Richard Pearse, the Clearwater lawyer who served as the brain damaged woman's guardian ad litem from mid 1998 until 1999, has contributed the maximum $500 to Rice. Pearse had recommended to Rice's long-time friend, Pinellas County probate court judge George W. Greer, that Terri's feeding tube remain because her wishes were unclear and that Michael Schiavo had conflicts of interest.
The election reports also indicate that Pinellas state attorney Bernie McCabe has contributed $250 to Rice's campaign. Both Rice and McCabe steadfastly refused to open investigations into allegations of wrongdoing in the Schiavo case and Rice later hired Michael Schiavo as a nurse for the Pinellas County jail.
House Appropriations chairman Negron (R-Stuart) is also seeking the AG slot and this week, 37 of the 84 Republicans in the House publicly announced their support for Negron over Rice.
So far Rice has received no financial support from the Republican Party. Negron is the recipient of in-kind services from the GOP totaling $15,000 and no doubt the party's cash drawer will be open to Negron in the future. Negron already has over a $1 million in his campaign coffer compared to Rice's $180,000.
Rice, Negron and state Sen. Burt Sanders are being challenged for the Republican nomination by former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum, a likely front-runner because he is the only candidate who has run previously for statewide office and has name recognition statewide. However, McCollum has twice lost his attempts for election to the state Senate. McCollum received national attention in 1998 as one of the House managers who prosecuted President Clinton during his impeachment.
Sen. Walter "Skip" Campbell of Fort Lauderdale is the only announced Democratic candidate.
10-20-05
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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