Florida is the third most corrupt state in the nation and the Legislature needs to do something about it, according to the government watchdog group, Integrity Florida.
The group’s latest figures show there were 622 convictions for federal corruption charges in Florida between 2003 and 2013.
That may sound like a lot, but it’s actually an improvement, says the group’s research director, Ben Wilcox.
Florida used to be number one.
Wilcox admits federal conviction rates may not paint the most accurate picture.
“It may be that the FBI and the Justice Department are just doing a better job in some states at arresting people. But still, it’s all we have.”
But it’s enough to suggest that modest reforms over the past two years are having some effect, including a new requirement that all constitutional officers take four hours of ethics training.
And it’s enough to show a lot more needs to be done, Wilcox says.
He wants lawmakers to expand the definition of public official to include government contractors, so they would be subject to anti-corruption laws, too.
