A Times Editorial

Coe's cash machines

Hillsborough State Attorney Harry Lee Coe showed poor judgment again when he allowed his employees to bail him out of his private business problems. He should retire.

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 12, 2000

Coe's money troubles and ethical blind spots have lingered long enough to compromise his integrity as the county's chief law enforcement officer. He should retire rather than seek re-election in November.

The loans to Coe are large enough to raise serious questions about how a public official who is paid nearly a quarter-million dollars a year in salary and pension handles his private business. Does he bring the same flawed judgments to public office that seem to dog his private life?

And what is this nonsense about the debts being a "personal" matter? Coe borrowed $12,000 from two senior members of his office staff, which changed the relationship between employee and boss. It also gave two public servants an incentive to help preserve Coe's political career. Human Resources chief Deanna Easterling said Coe repaid her last month, but that was after a news reporter for WFLA-TV made inquiries. Perhaps the state attorney is not as clueless as many think. Then Coe defends the borrowing by distancing himself -- not from the loans, but from the employees.

"I don't see them as underlings," he said.

Coe's comfort level with using public employees as cash machines demeans the professionalism of many competent and dedicated staff at the state attorney's office. He is not losing guns and underwear from his car, or moving furniture in the courtroom as in previous years, but Coe's behavior once again is bizarre and irresponsible.

Coe cannot be dismissed as an eccentric uncle or a character in a John Grisham film. As the state attorney, he sets an example of personal behavior that's looked upon by citizens and other public officials alike. Maybe it's no coincidence that Coe looked on idly as Public Defender Julianne Holt misused her office for personal gain. County Commissioners Tom Scott and Jim Norman twisted arms to help a campaign contributor, and a longtime judge felt free to hit on female subordinates at the county courthouse.

Coe says he has stopped gambling, no longer visits the dog track and did not spend the borrowed money there. Regardless of how Coe amassed his debts, he violated the cardinal rule of good government by mixing his personal problems with his public office. Coe should withdraw his re-election bid and return to the life of privacy he seemingly craves. If not, the governor should investigate this latest breach of ethics before any other Hillsborough elected official adopts Coe's tortured ideal of government service.

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