Commissioner Kevin Beckner has written a letter that was published in this morning’s St. Petersburg Times regarding the Kevin White sexual harassment lawsuit.
Beckner takes exception to a Times editorial written last week:
This editorial incorrectly implies that I, as well as some of my colleagues, believe that Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin White should not be held financially responsible for the costs to the taxpayer for his indiscretions. If you watch the Oct. 7 County Commission meeting or review the transcripts, it is very clear that my colleagues and I are in unanimous agreement that Commissioner White should be held accountable for his actions and participate in reimbursing the taxpayers for related costs.
You may recall last week that Commissioner Rose Ferlita’s motion to have the county sue White died when the board deadlocked at three votes apiece.
Beckner followed with a substitute motion to table further discussions until the county learns how much (if any) of the debts owed could be covered by their liability insurance program. (His motion also failed when it tied at 3 votes apiece as well.)
The county was told last week that it has another eight months to decide on whether or not they do want to sue Commissioner White.
As he said last week during the board’s meeting on the topic, Beckner writes that:
This article appears in Oct 8-14, 2009.
