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GELLER IS THE LOSER IN DROPPED
INVESTIGATION
July 12, 2010
by Buddy Nevins
What’s Steve Geller to do now?
One of the key legs of his campaign against Sue Gunzburger
collapsed today, kicked out of the way by Sheriff Al
Lamberti.
Geller has argued that Gunzburger is too ethically
challenged to hold office because her husband once sold
recycled plastic lumber to the county.
Then Geller instigated, supported or spurred
on an investigation of Gunzburger by Lamberti’s
anti-corruption squad.
The former state senator says he didn’t have anything
to do with the investigation. Even if Geller did nothing,
perception is everything in politics.
The perception among many is that Geller was
behind the investigation, whispering in the sheriff’s
ear and pulling his strings. That perception
was fueled by a brilliant daily e-mail campaign by Gunzburger’s
campaign.
Geller finally could not take the accusations generated
by the Gunzburger e-mail. He held a news conference,
which foolishly tied him to the investigation.
The conference was broadcast by one TV station and
ignored by the print media. It was a clumsy political
move, the culmination of more than a week of stumbles
by Geller.
Geller’s conduct from the start has been heavy
handed. It gave Gunzburger the opportunity to charge
that the stench of political dirty tricks was all over
him.
Lamberti’s investigation was ill-advised:
- It was too close to the Aug. 24 election and thus
looked politically motivated.
- It concerned an incident that was more than a decade
old.
- Sue Gunzburger didn’t vote on the plastic lumber
contracts.
- The key figure in the sale of the plastic lumber
– Sue’s husband Gerry Gunzburger – is dead.
- The key witness against the Gunzburger had an big
axe to grind. He lost a sealed bid to Gerry Gunzburger’s
company, Better Than Wood, which had a lower price.
Sheriff Al Lamberti admiteed today that his
investigation was a waste of time: “There is no information
that would lead to criminal charges…We don’t feel there
is anything left to investigate.”
Duh.
I could have told you that weeks ago and saved you
embarrassment, sheriff. ...
Geller, a lawyer, should have known that before he
supported this trumped-up criminal investigation.
Geller should have remembered a rule in politics:
When instigating something like an investigation, stay
in the background. Very far in the background.
The Great Oz had it right when he said, ”Pay no attention
to that man behind the curtain.”
If you are going to pull the levers, make sure nobody
knows it is you.
Sue Gunzburger Campaign,
803 N. Southlake Drive, Hollywood, Florida 33019 | 954.923.0803
Contact our campaign. |
