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Floridians
and wannabees
09/15/07 - Florida has always had a well-deserved reputation for
shady dealings and corrupt officials, but rarely does it extend to the
top ranks of law enforcement. This month, however, the
long-rumored federal charges against Broward County Sheriff Ken
Jenne came to fruition. The sheriff resigned on September 4 and
pled guilty to federal tax evasion and mail fraud conspiracy charges
over at least $80,000 in hidden payments and financial favors. He will
be sentenced in November for a period expected to be from 18
months to two years.
Ken Jenne made his mark on Broward County in a number of ways,
but one of them is understandably troubling to the county. You see,
most Florida sheriffs just identify their agency's property with the
name of the office, but Mr. Jenne insisted that his name be
incorporated into the Sheriff's Office logo. This could be because he
had a big ego, but more likely because the name recognition by
voters would help him in the next election, which, of course, he will not
now be entering. Unfortunately, the agency, and ultimately the
taxpayer, is stuck with both the embarrassment of having a convicted
felon's name on everything from stationery to squad cars, but the cost
of removing it.
Do we need a constitutional amendment to prohibit elected officials
from putting their name on the taxpayer's property?
shady dealings and corrupt officials, but rarely does it extend to the
top ranks of law enforcement. This month, however, the
long-rumored federal charges against Broward County Sheriff Ken
Jenne came to fruition. The sheriff resigned on September 4 and
pled guilty to federal tax evasion and mail fraud conspiracy charges
over at least $80,000 in hidden payments and financial favors. He will
be sentenced in November for a period expected to be from 18
months to two years.
Ken Jenne made his mark on Broward County in a number of ways,
but one of them is understandably troubling to the county. You see,
most Florida sheriffs just identify their agency's property with the
name of the office, but Mr. Jenne insisted that his name be
incorporated into the Sheriff's Office logo. This could be because he
had a big ego, but more likely because the name recognition by
voters would help him in the next election, which, of course, he will not
now be entering. Unfortunately, the agency, and ultimately the
taxpayer, is stuck with both the embarrassment of having a convicted
felon's name on everything from stationery to squad cars, but the cost
of removing it.
Do we need a constitutional amendment to prohibit elected officials
from putting their name on the taxpayer's property?
