Jim Greer, the former chairman of the Florida Republican Party, who’s now facing felony charges for grand theft, fraud and money laundering, has a small favor to ask of Charlie Crist.
In a letter obtained by the St. Petersburg Times, Greer asks Crist — a former political ally — to return the $9,600 he and his wife gave to the Republican-turned-Independent’s Senate campaign. Greer says he now needs th money “to defend myself and take care of my family.”
Crist appointed Greer to his post as the head of the state party in 2007.
“Charlie over the last three years, I did all that I was asked to do by you and others. Your goals were my goals,” Greer writes. Greer also calls Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum, Party Chairman John Thrasher and other committee members “liars, racists, and extremists.”
“I also now realize that making changes with the organization for the better including trying to make our party more inclusive would have severe consequences because those who wanted to take control of the party from you and I would stop at nothing,” he adds.
Greer stepped down from his position in January, in the midst of a spending scandal. He was arrested on June 2.
The Crist campaign confirmed the letter’s authenticity to the Times, and said they were returning the money.
Read the rest here.
Eric Lach
Eric Lach is a reporter for TPM. From 2010 to 2011, he was a news writer in charge of the website’s front page. He has previously written for The Daily, NewYorker.com, GlobalPost and other publications. He can be reached at ericl(at)talkingpoitnsmemo.com
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