We now know that Ex-Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom ran up at least $170,000 in inappropriate charges on his Republican Party of Florida American Express card including a lavish European vacation for himself and his family, expensive out-of State restaurants and even the New York City Apple store.

Chairman Jim Greer

RPOF Chairman Jim Greer has been privy to the itemized American Express bills and was clearly aware of the Speaker's spending spree - yet he said and did nothing. Why? Because Greer's spending on himself and his family makes Samson's expenditures look small-time. Greer has used the RPOF as his personal piggybank, spending donor's money on 5-star resorts, spa services, highly rated restaurants, green fees, luxury jet aircraft, limousines , sporting equipment, $800 bottles of wine, sports tickets and worse.

Former Party Chairmen Tom Slade and Al Cardenas flew commercial and drove themselves in low-budget rental cars when on Party business. Reimbursement for meals was limited to real Party business, not taking the wifey out for a night on the town. Both Chairmen presided over the growth and electoral success of the state GOP.

Governor Charlie Crist, who talks endlessly about transparency, has been aware of Greer's wild and inappropriate spending as it was an issue when Greer ran for re-election to his party post. When news leaked of one wild and expensive weekend Greer spent at the Breakers in Palm Beach, where the cost of his room service alone could have elected a Republican to Congress, Greer said it was all a mistake - and sadly, the Governor did nothing.

Meanwhile, Greer continues to resist any attempt by party funders to see the actual American Express Bills, perpetuating the cover-up of the misuse of party funds. Having lost the State for the McCain-Palin ticket (with left-over funds in the RPOF Federal account) Jim Greer is the first Republican State Chairman since 1964 to preside over the loss of the State by the GOP in a Presidential year, not to mention the loss of a Congressional seat.

One Republican State Chairman from a neighboring State described Greer to me as "a perfect ass." Complete understatement. Why won't Governor Crist order Greer to release the entire American Express record?