Charlie Crist Denies Knowledge Of Alleged Jim Greer Scam Despite Accusations Of Involvement

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist denies he had any knowledge of former state GOP chairman Jim Greer's alleged plot to defraud the state party despite accusations that the Republican-turned-independent Senate candidate was involved in the scheme.

Greer attorney Damon Chase recently charged Crist with signing off on the ex-party chair's plan to divert state party funds to pay for his own personal expenses, but according the Florida governor, the claim isn't true.

Here's what Crist had to say about Greer's accusation when asked about the matter on CNN's State of the Union with Candy Crowley over the weekend:

CROWLEY: If I could just interrupt, because the attorney for Jim Greer, who is the former RNC chief, is quoted as saying: "The governor knew about Victory Strategies from the very beginning, they all worked on it together." Is that true?

CRIST: Absolutely untrue. You know, sometimes desperate people say desperate things. And it's very sad.

The St. Petersburg Times reports on Greer's suggestion that Crist played a role in the scheme. Greer, the former Florida GOP chair, was arrested on charges of fraud, felony grand theft, and money laundering last week:

Chase said Greer and Crist discussed the fundraising deal at least three times last year: at the golf tournament in February, over the summer; and in the fall at the Fisher Island home of the governor's wife.

"The governor knew about Victory Strategies from the very beginning," Chase said. "They all worked on it together. ... They saw it as a way to save money."

When news first broke of Greer's arrest, Crist said that he didn't feel "complicit" in the charges of criminal misconduct against Greer and that he doesn't anticipate the ongoing investigation into the allegations will hurt his Senate campaign.

Comments

[donasanya]

10:51 AM on 06/08/2010

He was on camera with Obama during Obama's last two trips to Louisiana, while Jindall did not appear with Obama. Are they sending a subtle message to dems to vote for Crist in November?

[WeirdScience]

06:26 PM on 06/08/2010

Is Jindal running for office in Florida?

[HouseProletariat]

09:34 AM on 06/08/2010

He's had my respect ever since the Florida Climate Protection Act a couple of years ago. I was amazed the GOP didn't kick him out before he left.

[gypsylcd]

09:00 AM on 06/08/2010

South Carolina will forever be known as the author of this playbook.

[opinioned1]

08:58 AM on 06/08/2010

Ahhh the good old FEAR and SMEAR GOP machine is still alive and thriving I see, now turning on one of their own who told the GOP power brokers, suck eggs.

They don`t like anyone upsetting their GOP man Rubio who isn`t going to win in Nov. That`s what this is all about.

[Meggie]

08:13 AM on 06/08/2010

He doesn't expect an investigation to interfere with his senate campaign, and he doesn't FEEL "complicit" but none of that means he's innocent. Over the past decade, we've had a lot of this type of thing. The man had to play Florida politics through Katherine Harris and Jeb Bush and all to get where he is in the Florida GOP. If that was the game that was being played...

[studana51]

01:30 AM on 06/08/2010

Yeah, they hate Charlie Crist because he's honest and cares about Florida, something none of the GOP crooks in Tallahassee can say for themselves.

[SPQR1052]

12:53 AM on 06/08/2010

GOP fabrication with more to follow --- ignore it.

I am waiting for the GOP(Gang of Predators) to manufactor a "sex-tape" and photos of Governor Crist engaged in alleged homosexual acts.

The GOP want his hide and will stop at nothing.

[Jennifer Hagan]

04:36 AM on 06/08/2010

You don't have to manufacture a sex tape of Charlie Crist. He is gay. He is gay and he makes antigay legislation. He's a sellout. Pure and simple. I hate those family values Republicans and he is apparently one of them. I hope they take him down and the whole GOP falls with him.

[Guscat]

05:09 AM on 06/08/2010

How do you know Charlie Crist is gay? Do you have evidence?

[tangelan]

11:45 PM on 06/07/2010

Where is Marco Rubio? There's an oil spill where Crist is showing him up. Shouldn't he be in front of every camera so he can get equal time? He's disappeared since these investigations started. Where fore art thou Rubio? Hiding from the po po?

[tamparob]

12:20 AM on 06/08/2010

He has zero ideas beyond what the baggers tell him. He's nowhere near qualified to lead this state.

[Meggie]

08:15 AM on 06/08/2010

Good point, but seems to be GOP style.
Notice all of their potential presidential candiates have no opinion on anything. Mitt, the supposed financial superstar can't think of anything to say that might help America, and yet he will expect votes because he "loves America so" when the time comes.

[LovelyGirl]

11:27 PM on 06/07/2010

This guy is lying. The Republicans are so mad with Charlie Crist, they are simiply trying to frame him or hurt him. It's so obvious. They need to try something else.

[sulalives]

10:38 PM on 06/07/2010

republicans willing to throw someone under the bus ok what is new...Reagan told america that going through the depression was a good thing for america and people with aids are being punished by god and unions are asking for too much money to pay the high cost of living in america, now there is a republican charged with fraud, felony grand theft, and money laundering -had the nation forgotten the drug dealers that gave large donations to the republican party in Florida so what is new - handle the business for the people and if there is clear proof of the governor of Florida involvement let justice handle the business of justice and focus more on the needs of people jobs and why businesses are not hiring and new businesses are allowed to open

[lj9283]

10:16 PM on 06/07/2010

Smells like Republican dirty tricks, or business as usual, in Florida.

[flabingo]

10:05 PM on 06/07/2010

the only issue for Florida, is who is most qualified for being elected to the position of US Senator
for Florida. Please pick wisely, it matters to thr rest of the country

[jeg]

10:29 PM on 06/07/2010

While he's not my preferred candidate, Charlie Crist is most likely to win, barring actual proof of wrongdoing. Rubio won't appeal to the moderates or liberals, and Kendrick Meek is too... for lack of a better word, meek.

While Mr. Meek has my support, he doesn't have the name recognition he needs to combat Crist, a name every Floridian knows, and so far, I haven't seen any indications that Mr. Meek's recognition extends past Lake Ochechobee, short of a few events. It's possible that some high profile campaigning by the DNC may help, at the moment I suspect he's going to win the primary, and lose the general.

[Gronkie]

10:53 PM on 06/07/2010

I've posted similar thoughts about the Florida Senate race, specifically questioning Meek's ability to win, but this recent article from Time.com made some good points, and has led me to think differently about Meek:

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1994060,00.html

He might have a good chance in an election in which the scandal-embroiled Republican party splits the vote in a state that has been very pro-Obama. People may not know him but he hasn't really started to run hard yet. It's still a long way to November, I wouldn't count him out yet.

[FLVolFan]

10:56 PM on 06/07/2010

jeg - THANK YOU and fanned.

I have been writing and saying almost exactly the same thing as you. I like Meek very much, I have donated to his campaign, however, he is running an awful campaign. Good, hard core, democrats here in Broward don't know a thing about him.

The closer this election gets, the closer I am moving to Crist and that kills me to say that. I am so sorry that we don't have a strong progressive candidate, with statewide appeal, in this race. It would have been an easy win.

[ropadopa]

09:58 PM on 06/07/2010

Charlie Crist is showing enormous leadership in the midst of the BP Gulf Crisis. Making all the right decisions without any ridiculous fanfare. I wish him well, he is the right fit for Florida.

With regards to the abuse of funds, Greer's issues are well publicized alongside that of Marco Rubio. We await the next shoe to drop in this scandal as Greer sings to save his soul.

[tamparob]

12:38 AM on 06/08/2010

Crist also stood up to the R's when he vetoed SB6, which was being pushed hard by the right, and would have made a bad education system into a practically non-existent one.

[Meggie]

08:19 AM on 06/08/2010

A pity he lacks imagination and could not think that this "spill" could happen to his precious shores before they were already endangered.
He was as dismissive of environmentalists as any other radical right republican.

[flabingo]

09:55 PM on 06/07/2010

If the Florida voters vote against Crist, they are fools

[jeg]

10:36 PM on 06/07/2010

It's an uphill battle for an independent candidate. Crist has the name recognition, and a moderate enough record to win, but he's been a little too tied in with the Republican party of the past few years for me to be comfortable with him.

So, no, you don't have to be a fool to vote against Crist-- You can be quite intelligent and rational, and choose someone else. On the other hand, if it comes down to Rubio vs. Crist vs. Greene, it's a no-brainer.

[FLVolFan]

11:10 PM on 06/07/2010

If it becomes a race between Crist and Rubio, Crist voters will be hero's to the rest of the country

[Meggie]

08:19 AM on 06/08/2010

He looks like Lieberman to me, and that's no hero status.

[MiamiWatchDog]

09:40 PM on 06/07/2010

Ah, yes. Let's send in the dogs of war now that the fair haired boy of yesteryear has followed his conscience into a new life. Hats off to you, Governor! Long may you serve the people of Florida and our country.