Florida Taj Mahal scandal
Encyclopedia
Florida Taj Mahal scandal is an investigation by Chief Financial Officer of Florida
Alex Sink
(D) for possible misuse of state funds by one or more individuals on construction of the $48 million First District Court of Appeal of Florida courthouse located in Tallahassee, Florida
. As of September 10, 2010 this investigation was ongoing.
The term "Taj Mahal" (a reference to the Taj Mahal
of India
) is a common American idiom to describe a project or facility which contains features (usually lavish or extravagant) that far exceed its real utility.
Additionally, a play on this name, "Taj MaHawkes," has been coined and references one of the key judges who allegedly lobbied intensively to get the building financed, current First District Court of Appeal Chief Judge Paul M. Hawkes. The news of the courthouse and its associated expense was first reported on by Lucy Morgan of the St. Petersburg Times
on August 9, 2010.
for every justice with each suite having 60-inch LCD flat screen televisions trimmed in mahogany
as well as kitchen
facilities with microwave ovens and refrigerators. They were to also have full private bath
facilities with polished granite
countertop
s. In addition, around twelve 40-46 inch flat screen TVs were slated to be spread throughout the courthouse. After the news of these items was released on August 9, 2010 by Lucy Morgan of the St. Petersburg Times
, the flat screens were reduced to 4 located in common areas. The cost for the building is $425 per square foot.
investigative story on August 9, 2010 by Lucy Morgan that dubbed the project Florida’s Taj Mahal, CFO Sink ordered a preliminary review of documentation to support payments for the project, which found cause for an audit.
On August 30, 2010 Sink sent letters to the Florida Supreme Court
and Florida's Department of Management Services that preliminary findings warranted an audit
via her DFS, Bureau of Auditing for excessive spending on the First District Court of Appeal of Florida courthouse
, known as the "Taj Mahal" by judges around Florida.
The CFO's office states that money may have been misused and as much as $16 million may have spent in a financial raid on the state's Workers' Compensation
Trust Fund. A $30 million bond for construction was attached to a 142 page transportation bill and passed on last day of the 2007 legislative session.
on January 2, 2003. Judge Hawkes allegedly "lobbied furiously" amongst state legislators to get financing for the 48 million dollar project approved by lawmakers. In e-mails which circulated amongst judges of the 1st District Court of Appeal's building committee a list of so-called legislative "heroes" was named, the e-mails even went so far as to arrange the "heroes" into categories based on the level of appreciation they deserved.
This letter spawned controversy of its own within the courthouse as Judge Peter Webster responded to the letter with concern, writing in an e-mail to Hawkes,
(R) Inverness
was chairman of the committee which had oversight over the construction of the courthouse. After touring the existing facility, Dean said he rejected funding due to budget constraints of the state during the recession
.
Dean stated that both First District Chief Judge Paul Hawkes, point man on the and Judge Brad Thomas, both appointees under Gov. Jeb Bush
, circumvented the legislative process and with help from Jeremiah Hawkes, Rep
. Marco Rubio
's Chief counsel
(son of Judge Hawkes) and Richard Corcoran, former Chief of Staff
for Rep. Marco Rubio and candidate for the Florida House got it done.
(R) Hillsborough
/Pasco counties
(no relation to Charlie Crist) stated that he attached the court construction amendment to the transportation bill after a request by Senate President Ken Pruitt
(R) Palm City
. Pruitt however denies playing any role in the measure. On May 8, 2009 Pruitt announced his retirement.
maintains that Ken Pruitt was the principal senator driving the construction measure, with heavy lobbying from Chief Justice Hawkes and Justice Thomas. Sen. Crist says the idea was given to him as a collaboration between the courts, Florida State University
and the Department of Management Services, or DMS.
, Chief Justice in 2007, states he was shocked to find his 1st District Court of Appeal judges, legislators, and Florida State had reached a deal in secret that approved the bond issue. That they gave the old courthouse to the Florida State University School of Law, eliminating the State Court Administrator's office space in the old building. Upon discovery of said deal, Lewis stated that he tried to establish meetings with legislators and FSU officials. Lewis further states that no one would discuss the courthouse deal or consider a change. He claims he was "snookered" and Lewis asked Gov. Charlie Crist
to veto
the budget item but this was not considered. Gov. Crist says he does not recall the request. (St. Petersburg Times)
Sen. Dean stated that the final budget negotiations for 2007 and the decision about funding for the courthouse was moved to the Appropriations Chairman Rep. Ray Sansom
(R) Ft. Walton Beach, and Rep. Marco Rubio (R) Miami, Florida
now running for U.S. Senate. The final budget included $7.9 million to begin planning and construction of the courthouse.
, and Jay Odom, a Destin
businessman and a major Republican contributor were indicted by a grand jury
in April 2009. They were charged with official misconduct
, a third-degree felony
with a possible 5-year prison sentence. A circuit judge dismissed most of the charges in October and an appellate court reaffirmed the judge's ruling on the last day of 2009.
asked his staff to write a bill banning judges from lobbying, or come up with suggestions for changing legislative rules requiring judges to register as lobbyists. Current rules exempt judges from having to register to lobby.
Loranne Ausley
, daughter of high powered attorney DuBose Ausley
of Tallahassee, former state representative and a Democratic candidate for Chief Financial Officer voted against the bill because it lacked transparency and was not aware of the inclusion of courthouse in the bill which is in her home town. Ausley criticized the financing and pledged to use the CFO office to stop wasteful contracts.
Chief Financial Officer of Florida
The Chief Financial Officer of Florida is a statewide constitutional officer of Florida. The office was created in 2002 following the 1998 reforms of the Florida Cabinet....
Alex Sink
Alex Sink
Adelaide "Alex" Sink is an American politician of the Democratic Party. Sink was the Chief Financial Officer for the state of Florida and treasurer on the board of trustees of the Florida State Board of Administration...
(D) for possible misuse of state funds by one or more individuals on construction of the $48 million First District Court of Appeal of Florida courthouse located in Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee is the capital of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County, and is the 128th largest city in the United States. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In 2010, the population recorded by...
. As of September 10, 2010 this investigation was ongoing.
Etymology of Taj Mahal
In 2006, the justices of the First District Court of Appeal of Florida looked into having a new court house and rejected expanding and refurbishing the existing facility.The term "Taj Mahal" (a reference to the Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is a white Marble mausoleum located in Agra, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal...
of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
) is a common American idiom to describe a project or facility which contains features (usually lavish or extravagant) that far exceed its real utility.
Additionally, a play on this name, "Taj MaHawkes," has been coined and references one of the key judges who allegedly lobbied intensively to get the building financed, current First District Court of Appeal Chief Judge Paul M. Hawkes. The news of the courthouse and its associated expense was first reported on by Lucy Morgan of the St. Petersburg Times
St. Petersburg Times
The St. Petersburg Times is a United States newspaper. It is one of two major publications serving the Tampa Bay Area, the other being The Tampa Tribune, which the Times tops in both circulation and readership. Based in St...
on August 9, 2010.
Amenities
The courthouse was originally to have sumptuous chamber suitesSuite (hotel)
A suite in a hotel or other public accommodation, denotes a class of luxury accommodations, the key feature of which is multiple rooms. Many properties have one or more "honeymoon suites", and sometimes the best accommodation is called the "presidential suite".Suites offer multiple rooms, with more...
for every justice with each suite having 60-inch LCD flat screen televisions trimmed in mahogany
Mahogany
The name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored hardwood. It is a native American word originally used for the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, known as West Indian or Cuban mahogany....
as well as kitchen
Kitchen
A kitchen is a room or part of a room used for cooking and food preparation.In the West, a modern residential kitchen is typically equipped with a stove, a sink with hot and cold running water, a refrigerator and kitchen cabinets arranged according to a modular design. Many households have a...
facilities with microwave ovens and refrigerators. They were to also have full private bath
Bathroom
A bathroom is a room for bathing in containing a bathtub and/or a shower and optionally a toilet, a sink/hand basin/wash basin and possibly also a bidet....
facilities with polished granite
Granite
Granite is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, felsic, igneous rock. Granite usually has a medium- to coarse-grained texture. Occasionally some individual crystals are larger than the groundmass, in which case the texture is known as porphyritic. A granitic rock with a porphyritic...
countertop
Countertop
Countertop usually refers to a horizontal worksurface in kitchens or other food preparation areas, bathrooms or lavatories, and workrooms in general. It is frequently installed upon and supported by cabinets...
s. In addition, around twelve 40-46 inch flat screen TVs were slated to be spread throughout the courthouse. After the news of these items was released on August 9, 2010 by Lucy Morgan of the St. Petersburg Times
St. Petersburg Times
The St. Petersburg Times is a United States newspaper. It is one of two major publications serving the Tampa Bay Area, the other being The Tampa Tribune, which the Times tops in both circulation and readership. Based in St...
, the flat screens were reduced to 4 located in common areas. The cost for the building is $425 per square foot.
Investigation
Following the St. Petersburg TimesSt. Petersburg Times
The St. Petersburg Times is a United States newspaper. It is one of two major publications serving the Tampa Bay Area, the other being The Tampa Tribune, which the Times tops in both circulation and readership. Based in St...
investigative story on August 9, 2010 by Lucy Morgan that dubbed the project Florida’s Taj Mahal, CFO Sink ordered a preliminary review of documentation to support payments for the project, which found cause for an audit.
On August 30, 2010 Sink sent letters to the Florida Supreme Court
Florida Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of Florida is the highest court in the U.S. state of Florida. The Supreme Court consists of seven judges: the Chief Justice and six Justices who are appointed by the Governor to 6-year terms and remain in office if retained in a general election near the end of each...
and Florida's Department of Management Services that preliminary findings warranted an audit
Audit
The general definition of an audit is an evaluation of a person, organization, system, process, enterprise, project or product. The term most commonly refers to audits in accounting, but similar concepts also exist in project management, quality management, and energy conservation.- Accounting...
via her DFS, Bureau of Auditing for excessive spending on the First District Court of Appeal of Florida courthouse
Courthouse
A courthouse is a building that is home to a local court of law and often the regional county government as well, although this is not the case in some larger cities. The term is common in North America. In most other English speaking countries, buildings which house courts of law are simply...
, known as the "Taj Mahal" by judges around Florida.
The CFO's office states that money may have been misused and as much as $16 million may have spent in a financial raid on the state's Workers' Compensation
Workers' compensation
Workers' compensation is a form of insurance providing wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured in the course of employment in exchange for mandatory relinquishment of the employee's right to sue his or her employer for the tort of negligence...
Trust Fund. A $30 million bond for construction was attached to a 142 page transportation bill and passed on last day of the 2007 legislative session.
Chief Judge Paul M. Hawkes
Paul M. Hawkes, a former member of the Florida House of Representatives, was subsequently appointed to Florida's 1st District Court of Appeal by then governor Jeb BushJeb Bush
John Ellis "Jeb" Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. He is a prominent member of the Bush family: the second son of former President George H. W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush; the younger brother of former President George W...
on January 2, 2003. Judge Hawkes allegedly "lobbied furiously" amongst state legislators to get financing for the 48 million dollar project approved by lawmakers. In e-mails which circulated amongst judges of the 1st District Court of Appeal's building committee a list of so-called legislative "heroes" was named, the e-mails even went so far as to arrange the "heroes" into categories based on the level of appreciation they deserved.
Letter in Response to Criticism Spawns Own Backlash
In an effort to defuse criticism of the project Judge Hawkes issued a 6 page letter on court letterhead defending the project. Some highlights from Hawkes’ letter:This letter spawned controversy of its own within the courthouse as Judge Peter Webster responded to the letter with concern, writing in an e-mail to Hawkes,
Charles S. Dean
Florida Senator Charles S. Dean, Sr.Charles S. Dean, Sr.
Charles S. Dean, Sr. is a Republican member of the Florida Senate, representing the 3rd District since June 2007. Previously he was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2002 through 2007. Dean was Sheriff of Citrus County from 1981 to 1996. His father had previously served as...
(R) Inverness
Inverness, Florida
Inverness is a city in Citrus County, Florida, United States. As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 7,210. It is the county seat of Citrus County.-Geography:...
was chairman of the committee which had oversight over the construction of the courthouse. After touring the existing facility, Dean said he rejected funding due to budget constraints of the state during the recession
Recession
In economics, a recession is a business cycle contraction, a general slowdown in economic activity. During recessions, many macroeconomic indicators vary in a similar way...
.
Dean stated that both First District Chief Judge Paul Hawkes, point man on the and Judge Brad Thomas, both appointees under Gov. Jeb Bush
Jeb Bush
John Ellis "Jeb" Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. He is a prominent member of the Bush family: the second son of former President George H. W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush; the younger brother of former President George W...
, circumvented the legislative process and with help from Jeremiah Hawkes, Rep
Florida House of Representatives
The Florida House of Representatives is the lower house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The House is composed of 120 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 156,677.The House convenes at...
. Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio
Marco Antonio Rubio is the junior United States Senator from Florida . A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives ....
's Chief counsel
General Counsel
A general counsel is the chief lawyer of a legal department, usually in a corporation or government department. The term is most used in the United States...
(son of Judge Hawkes) and Richard Corcoran, former Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
for Rep. Marco Rubio and candidate for the Florida House got it done.
Victor Crist and Ken Pruitt
Sen. Victor CristVictor Crist
Victor Crist is a Republican member of the Florida Senate, representing the 12th District since 2001; he won his first term by beating Democrat Kathy Castor in the general election...
(R) Hillsborough
Hillsborough County, Florida
As of the census of 2000, there were 998,948 people, 391,357 households, and 255,164 families residing in the county. The population density was 951 people per square mile . There were 425,962 housing units at an average density of 405 per square mile...
/Pasco counties
Pasco County, Florida
Pasco County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 344,765. The July 1, 2007 census estimate according to the U.S. Census Bureau for the county is 462,715. Its county seat is Dade City, Florida which is in the northeast part of the county - somewhat...
(no relation to Charlie Crist) stated that he attached the court construction amendment to the transportation bill after a request by Senate President Ken Pruitt
Ken Pruitt
Ken Pruitt was a Republican member of the Florida Senate, representing the 28th District from 2000 to 2009. His district includes portions of Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie Counties...
(R) Palm City
Palm City, Florida
Palm City is a census-designated place in Martin County, Florida, United States. The population was 20,097 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Port St...
. Pruitt however denies playing any role in the measure. On May 8, 2009 Pruitt announced his retirement.
J.D. Alexander
Senate appropriations chairman, J.D. Alexander (R) Winter HavenWinter Haven, Florida
Winter Haven is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,487 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 estimates, the city had a population of 32,577, making it the second most populated city in Polk County...
maintains that Ken Pruitt was the principal senator driving the construction measure, with heavy lobbying from Chief Justice Hawkes and Justice Thomas. Sen. Crist says the idea was given to him as a collaboration between the courts, Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
and the Department of Management Services, or DMS.
Justice R. Fred Lewis
Florida Supreme Court Justice R. Fred LewisR. Fred Lewis
R. Fred Lewis was appointed to the Supreme Court of Florida on December 7, 1998. While serving as Chief Justice, he founded Justice Teaching, an organization that now has over 3,900 volunteer lawyers and Judges placed with and active in all Florida public schools, which enhances civic and...
, Chief Justice in 2007, states he was shocked to find his 1st District Court of Appeal judges, legislators, and Florida State had reached a deal in secret that approved the bond issue. That they gave the old courthouse to the Florida State University School of Law, eliminating the State Court Administrator's office space in the old building. Upon discovery of said deal, Lewis stated that he tried to establish meetings with legislators and FSU officials. Lewis further states that no one would discuss the courthouse deal or consider a change. He claims he was "snookered" and Lewis asked Gov. Charlie Crist
Charlie Crist
Charles Joseph "Charlie" Crist, Jr. is an American politician who was the 44th Governor of Florida. Prior to his election as governor, Crist previously served as Florida State Senator, Education Commissioner, and Attorney General...
to veto
Veto
A veto, Latin for "I forbid", is the power of an officer of the state to unilaterally stop an official action, especially enactment of a piece of legislation...
the budget item but this was not considered. Gov. Crist says he does not recall the request. (St. Petersburg Times)
Sansom and Rubio
Ray Sansom
Ray Sansom was a member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing portions of Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties from 2002 to February 21, 2010....
(R) Ft. Walton Beach, and Rep. Marco Rubio (R) Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
now running for U.S. Senate. The final budget included $7.9 million to begin planning and construction of the courthouse.
Ray Sansom indicted
Ray Sansom along with Bob Richburg, former president of Northwest Florida State CollegeNorthwest Florida State College
The Collegiate High School at Northwest Florida State College is a charter school in Niceville, Florida that was established in 2000. The Collegiate High School at Northwest Florida State College is an innovative charter school that enables 10th, 11th and 12th grade students to simultaneously earn...
, and Jay Odom, a Destin
Destin, Florida
Destin is a city located in Okaloosa County, Florida. It is a principal city of the Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.Located on Florida's Emerald Coast, Destin is known for its white beaches and emerald green waters...
businessman and a major Republican contributor were indicted by a grand jury
Grand jury
A grand jury is a type of jury that determines whether a criminal indictment will issue. Currently, only the United States retains grand juries, although some other common law jurisdictions formerly employed them, and most other jurisdictions employ some other type of preliminary hearing...
in April 2009. They were charged with official misconduct
Malfeasance in office
Malfeasance in office, or official misconduct, is the commission of an unlawful act, done in an official capacity, which affects the performance of official duties. Malfeasance in office is often grounds for a for cause removal of an elected official by statute or recall election.An exact...
, a third-degree felony
Felony
A felony is a serious crime in the common law countries. The term originates from English common law where felonies were originally crimes which involved the confiscation of a convicted person's land and goods; other crimes were called misdemeanors...
with a possible 5-year prison sentence. A circuit judge dismissed most of the charges in October and an appellate court reaffirmed the judge's ruling on the last day of 2009.
Response
Sen. Mike Fasano, (R) New Port RicheyNew Port Richey, Florida
New Port Richey is a city in Pasco County, Florida, United States. It is a suburban city included in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area...
asked his staff to write a bill banning judges from lobbying, or come up with suggestions for changing legislative rules requiring judges to register as lobbyists. Current rules exempt judges from having to register to lobby.
Loranne Ausley
Loranne Ausley
Loranne Ausley is a politician and attorney from Tallahassee, Florida-Background:With over 20 years of public service at the State and Federal level, Ausley, a Democrat, was a member of the Florida House of Representatives, 9th District, from 2000 - 2008...
, daughter of high powered attorney DuBose Ausley
DuBose Ausley
DuBose Ausley is an attorney in Tallahassee, Florida, USA.DuBose Ausley is the senior partner and former Chairman with the law firm of Ausley & McMullen, P.A. in Tallahassee. He is also Director of TECO Energy, Inc...
of Tallahassee, former state representative and a Democratic candidate for Chief Financial Officer voted against the bill because it lacked transparency and was not aware of the inclusion of courthouse in the bill which is in her home town. Ausley criticized the financing and pledged to use the CFO office to stop wasteful contracts.