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Fasano, Aubuchon cleared of ethics complaints

A Republican state lawmaker is in the clear, after the Florida Ethics Commission dismissed a complaint against him. As Sascha Cordner reports, the panel decided the case during a closed-door meeting Friday.

State Senator Mike Fasano says he’s happy the ethics panel dismissed the complaint. The New Port Richey lawmaker says the commission members understood Fasano was not trying to “intimidate” anyone by comments he made last year. It was while Fasano was serving spaghetti at an event to raise money for his county.

“An individual back in Pasco had filed an ethics complaint against me because he felt that my comments to him were inappropriate in regards to just shaking his hand and telling him that bad-mouthing our sheriff here in Pasco County probably is not going to help his business. But, I believe he took it the wrong way, and of course, I did not mean it that way.”

The ethics commission also found a complaint against Representative Gary Aubuchon was unfounded. The complaint said he missed a financial disclosure deadline, but the panel found he had actually asked for and received an extension.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.