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© St. Petersburg Times, published August 15, 2002
Home builders to pay fine for illegal contributions
TALLAHASSEE -- Several home builders' groups have agreed to pay a $40,000 administrative fine to settle charges they illegally funneled contributions to building-friendly candidates.
The fine would have to be approved at the state Elections Commission meeting today in Orlando.
The case involved allegations that the groups tried to shuffle money around to each other to avoid limits on contributions to candidates. Commission documents allege that the groups would contribute the maximum $500 allowed to various candidates in local races. Then, they would send money to other industry and trade groups around the state, which would in turn give the money to the same candidates.
John French, the attorney representing the groups, said they decided to settle because several homebuilders were "getting the heck beaten out of them by the press."
TALLAHASSEE -- The state capital bureau chief of the Tampa Tribune was charged with aggravated battery on his girlfriend and has been ordered to complete substance abuse treatment.
John Wark, who has led the bureau since 1997, was released on $2,000 bail Sunday and ordered to complete inpatient rehabilitation. Wark, 49, also was ordered not to contact Dara Kam or to consume alcohol.
Wark drove through Kam's fence and crashed into an iron support on her porch early Aug. 7, police said. During the altercation, Kam's wrist was broken, and her computer, phones and other possessions were damaged. Police said Wark then crashed his vehicle into Kam's car.
Kam, 39, a self-employed communications consultant, estimated damage at more than $9,000. She declined to comment Wednesday.
Wark is on personal leave from the Tribune.