8/2/2019 Letter from Rep. Scott Plakon

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Florida House of RepresentativesRepresentative Scott Plakon

District 37

Reply to:1855 West State Road 434, Suite 242

Longwood, FL 32750(407) 262-7520 Phone(407) 262-7522 Fax

317 House Office Building402 South Monroe StreetTallahassee, FL 32399-1300(850) 488-2231

Seminole County Legislative DelegationOrange County Legislative Delegation

Energy & Utilities Subcommittee, ChairBusiness & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee

Congressional Redistricting SubcommitteeCivil Justice Subcommittee

Rules & Calendar CommitteeState Affairs Committee

April 25, 2012

Governor Rick ScottState of Florida

The Capitol

400 S. Monroe St.Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001

Dear Governor Scott,

Reports by the Miami Herald, the Tampa Bay Times, the Associated Press, Sunshine State News,

the Orlando Sentinel, the Herald Tribune, the Florida Times Union, the Tallahassee Democrat,and the Palm Beach Post claim that on the morning of April 20, 2012, Justices Fred Lewis,

Barbara Pariente and Peggy Quince interrupted an official proceeding of the Supreme Court for

more than an hour, in order to prepare and file campaign documents for their merit retention

elections. The reports further claim that the Justices used at least three different court systememployees to prepare the campaign documents.

Section 106.15, Florida Statutes provides in relevant part as follows:

(3) A candidate may not, in the furtherance of his or her candidacy for nomination or election topublic office in any election, use the services of any state, county, municipal, or district officer oremployee during working hours.

* * *

(5) Any person violating the provisions of this section commits a misdemeanor of the firstdegree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

8/2/2019 Letter from Rep. Scott Plakon

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Governor Rick Scott

April 25, 2012Page Two

If correct, the news reports indicate that Florida law may have been violated by the Justices. OnJanuary 12, 2012, each of the Justices signed and filed with the Division of Elections, statements

providing that they are candidate[s] for the office of Justice of the Supreme Court and havebeen provided access to, read and understand the provisions of Chapter 106, Florida Statutes.

We have a responsibility to the people of Florida to see that our laws are followed by all,regardless of status or position. I respectfully request that you direct the Florida Department of

Law Enforcement to investigate these matters and, if necessary, refer its findings to the

appropriate officer or entity.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Representative Scott Plakon

Cc:

Attorney General Pam Bondi

Commissioner Adam Putnam

Chief Financial Officer Jeff AtwaterSpeaker Dean Cannon

President Mike Haridopolos