Rubio Lecturing On Ethics...Really?

NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY

For Immediate Release: February 4, 2009

Tallahassee, FL - Today, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that Florida Atlantic University will open its new Public Ethics Academy. As part of a panel discussion on "Public Corruption and the Need for Reform," FAU has chosen Marco Rubio, who oddly accepted FAU's invitation according to the Academy's website. Odd, given that Rubio mentored disgraced House Speaker Ray Sansom and has been involved in many of his own ethics scandals.

"With rampant Republican corruption festering across Florida, we applaud FAU's efforts to shine a light on the problem by opening their Public Ethics Academy with a discussion focusing on reforms," said Eric Jotkoff, Florida Democratic Party spokesman.

In reaction to Rubio's involvement, Jotkoff added, "Marco Rubio is the last person in Florida that should be lecturing anyone on ethics. As disgraced former Speaker Ray Sansom's mentor, Rubio taught Sansom how to personally benefit from bringing home the bacon. After delivering millions of tax dollars for Florida International University, Rubio turned around and got a $69,000 per year part-time job at the school... sound familiar? Unfortunately, that is only the tip of the iceberg to Rubio's ethics problems. As Speaker, Rubio was involved in countless ethics scandals revolving around sweetheart mortgages, legislative favors for big donors, and other shady dealings."

More information on Rubio's ethics scandals can be found here:

Lawmakers cash in with campus jobs
Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau, 12/20/08
http://www.miamiherald.com/295/v-print/story/821328.html
 
FIU: FIU gives Rubio a job
Miami Herald, 7/25/08
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/617215.html

Rubio: The 69K professor
St. Petersburg Times, 7/24/08
http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2008/07/rubio-the-69k-p.html

Rubio defends added language
Miami Herald, 4/8/08
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/story/486913.html

Dems: Rubio 'reeks of corruption'
St. Petersburg Times Blog, 4/7/08
http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2008/04/dems-rubio-reek.html

Rubio's budget wording benefits ally
Miami Herald, 4/7/08
http://www.miamiherald.com/458/story/485704.html

Rubio's Fast $135,000
Palm Beach Post, 4/7/08
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2008/04/07/m18a_rubio_edit_0407.html

Rubio Amends Disclosure Forms After Newspaper Investigation
Associated Press, 4/1/08
http://www.nbc6.net/news/15766474/detail.html

Rubio Home Equity Loan Questioned
Miami Herald, 3/29/08
http://www.miamiherald.com/top_stories/story/474645.html

Tax Flip Benefits Richer Families
Palm Beach Post, 3/30/08
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/search/content/state/epaper/2008/03/30/m1a_prop_tax_0330.html

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