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In 2010, Jess Santamaria's opponent, Andy Schaller, published information that Santamaria might be a convicted felon. He sent it out all over the place and even printed it on his web site. In politics, all the sleaze of the game is realized but this took it to new lows. Schaller's information was false and based on a totally different Santamaria so the real Jess Santamaria sued him.
Back several years ago the Lake Worth Herald printed that Jim Exline, the convicted felon, was Ron Exline's son. The criminal Jim Exline was all over the news back then and in everyone's mind. The Herald never officially apologized to Ron Exline who was running for Lake Worth District 1 at the time and printed something stupid in the Pelican Pete section of its newspaper, like, ooops, we made a slight boo boo. The damage to Exline had already been done. The Herald was supporting Retha Lowe, Ron Exline's opponent, who later and once in office again, came up on charges from the Florida Elections Commission and was heavily fined.
I admire Jess Santamaria for standing up for what is right in this evil game of politics. Although the Court just found Schaller's egregious actions "without malice," they were definitely malicious lies and printed with only one goal in mind--to smear Santamaria so that he could win. Perhaps he had a better attorney than did Santamaria. How can any body of people think there was no malice--that it was just an innocent mistake? It's the ooops defense again--I just made a mistake, folks--don't hold me accountable. Sort of like the Twinkies did it.
The Palm Beach Post says Jess was wrong by not forgetting and moving on like it never happened and condemned him for refusing to shake Schaller's hand after the trial. If everyone has to endure political smears and lies, the sleaze will never end. Next time, there will be a totally different jury that might see the slime for what is is--defamation to bring down an opponent.
This should not be allowed. Politics is bad enough without allowing Bullies and punks to use these tactics, besmirching the reputation of opponents. It seems that anything goes in the political arena. It is difficult enough separating the seed from the chaff.
Thanks Jess, for not shaking Schaller's hand. Our laws seem to protect these people.
7 comments:
Which of the 4 or 5 times that Commissioner Lowe defeated Ron Exline were you referencing?
You certainly were correct about the $2,500 fine Commissioner Lowe paid for the egregious offense of listing the addresses on the checks of contributors instead of their legal addresses.
I wonder if Commissioner Maxwell is considering an action similar to Commissioner Santamaria’s?
Name the 4 or 5 times...please give me the dates. Thanks.
One more time now on the Retha Lowe incident--
THE TRUTH:
The Florida Elections Commission found her guilty on 5 violations. It said that she filed and prepared FALSE reports for the purpose of preventing the public from finding out the actual source of the contributions and concluded that her actions were WILLFUL.
She received a civil penalty of $2,500 and Retha Lowe admitted, signed and agreed to the finding of her GUILT.
MUCH more important than the Herald, The PALM BEACH POST printed that RON exline,not JIM Exline was going to jail!!!!!Not so much as a whisper of appology was ever made to RON Exline from the Palm Beach Posy.
Commissioner Maxwell has a grievance about something? I thought he complained about everything. If he has a grievance, I would suspect he will confer with Jack and Peggy first who are always right.
Exline ran against Lowe 3 times. He has always said that he never wants to see someone skate into office like Maxwell just did. Every candidate should have an opponent. District 1 has always had a problem getting qualified candidates to run. There is the strong minority vote in that district.
Interesting comment about:
Robert Waples
Mark Rickards
and of course
Lynn Anderson
Katie McGiveron
Tripp Cioci
Jennifer Cioci
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