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Librarian files ethics complaint over Gallagher's stock trading

By JONI JAMES
Published February 8, 2006

TALLAHASSEE - A Polk County school librarian has filed an ethics complaint against Florida Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher, triggering a state investigation into his investments that overlapped with his official duties.

Brenda Titus, 49, of Lakeland said Tuesday she filed the complaint with the Florida Ethics Commission after reading news reports of Gallagher's penchant for short-term stock trading.

The St. Petersburg Times disclosed Jan. 31 that the Republican gubernatorial candidate's federal tax returns show he traded insurance stocks while insurance commissioner. Gallagher, 62, also owned 1,000 shares in an energy company in 2004 when he voted in its favor as a Cabinet member.

"It just really annoys me that hardworking average Joes are called on the carpet for doing things that elected people get away with," Titus said. "If anyone else had done this they would have least been fired."

A spokesman for Gallagher's campaign declined comment.

Gallagher, one of Florida's longest-serving politicians, said last week he regretted the insurance stock purchases and would ask the Ethics Commission for an opinion on his 2002 stock ownership in two insurance companies. State law prohibits regulators from having contracts with companies they regulate.

Mark Heron, Gallagher's lawyer, advised him against asking about another potential conflict of interest concerning his stock ownership in AES Corp., an energy company, because Gallagher's stake was so small.

Titus, however, complained that Gallagher traded stocks in his state office on a state Internet link.

"He misused state property and resources - the people's office, the people's furniture, the people's electricity, and the people's technology network for his personal gain," Titus wrote in her complaint.

Complaints to the Florida Ethics Commission are confidential until a preliminary investigation is completed, which can take months. If the commission finds a violation, its report is forwarded to the governor or the Legislature for action.

Titus provided a copy of her complaint to the Times. A Republican, the former certified public accountant said she and her husband have no ties to any gubernatorial campaign. Gallagher faces Attorney General Charlie Crist in the September GOP primary.

[Last modified February 8, 2006, 01:14:12]