By James Call
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-884785.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – A House committee voted Wednesday to subpoena several individuals for a hearing considering allegations of misconduct against ousted Speaker Ray Sansom. However, there is talk of a settlement rather than a full blown public hearing.
The list of witnesses includes former House Speaker Marco Rubio and former Representative Joe Pickens, President of St. Johns Community College. Representative Bill Galvano, chair of the committee investigating Sansom, says he has discussed a possible consent decree, a negotiated settlement, with Sansom's attorney. But he expects to go forward with the hearing scheduled for February 22nd.
"Our rules contemplate the potential for a consent decree, and so there have been discussions before now with regard to that, and so that is always a possibility. I think, as you saw the last time we had a select committee on the same type of issue, it was resolved by consent decree, and I think the last two times I served on one it was."
Galvano says such a recommendation to the House would be up to the committee. A resolution could result in a specific action being taken without Sansom having to admit fault or guilt. He is accused of violating House rules on public trust and integrity by funneling millions to a state college that then gave him a part-time job that paid six figures.