Greer reaches out to help "the maestro"

Republican Party of Florida chairman Jim Greer last week sent out an e-mail from his personal e-mail that told people how they could reach George LeMieux, aka "the maestro" and former chief of staff for Gov. Charlie Crist.

"Dear Friends,'' reads the e-mail. "Many of you have recently asked me for George LeMieux's new contact information and what professional services George will be providing since his recent departure as Chief of Staff for Governor Charlie Crist. George has joined the law firm of Gunster, Yoakley, and Stewart P.A., which has opened a new office in Tallahassee. The firm provides legal and governmental services. As you know, George's (sic) has extensive experience serving as Deputy Attorney General, Campaign Manager for Governor Crist, and then serving as Chief of Staff and primary advisor to the Governor. George can be reached at 215 S. Monroe Street, Suite 618, Tallahassee, Florida 32301. The phone number is 850-521-1980. I've also attached a link to his professional biography.

I am sure that George would like to hear from you. Thanks, Jim Greer."

When asked about it, LeMieux said he did not ask Greer to do it, but said Greer did it to respond to people who were asking where LeMieux could be reached. "He offered and I was appreciative,'' said LeMieux. "I think he's trying to let people know where I am since I left the governor's office."

Comments

[Brett Ryan]

Cudos to you! It is wonderful to see there’s at least one newspaper in this state not giving Charlie Crist yet another pass on ethical issues like this. This is the reality: George Lemieux is pretending to be a lawyer when, in fact, he is an unregistered lobbyist who is already violating his two-year “revolving door ban” by lobbying the Governor's office. This Greer email is just another marketing effort to blatantly solicit clients for Lemieux. But he can't have it both ways. If he's a lawyer, he's in violation of the ethical rule against soliciting clients. If he's a lobbyist, he isn't registered to represent clients (which is required by law). And if you're Charlie Crist, look out, because you're laying the groundwork for the biggest ethics scandal Tallahassee has seen in many years.