Democrats say Bush violated his own ethics

The party chairman says the governor's acceptance of free Super Bowl tickets shows that no one follows the policy.

By LUCY MORGAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 16, 1999

TALLAHASSEE -- The Democratic Party has accused Republican Gov. Jeb Bush of violating his own ethics policies by accepting free Super Bowl tickets from a Miami lawyer who was a member of the bowl's host committee.

A spokesman for Bush Thursday denied that receiving three Super Bowl tickets from a longtime personal friend violated his code of ethics.

Democratic Party officials are not suggesting that the governor violated any law, but insist he was violating his own policy. Cory Tilley, communications director for the governor, said the policy clearly exempts gifts received from personal friends.

Bush accepted tickets valued at $1,200 for himself and his two sons from Dean Colson, a longtime golfing buddy who was a member of the committee that hosted the Miami event. He disclosed the gift on his annual financial disclosure statement filed earlier this month.

In a statement released late Thursday, Democratic Party Chairman Charles Whitehead said the governor's acceptance of the tickets shows why the governor did nothing to punish Cynthia Henderson, secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, for accepting free Kentucky Derby tickets.

"Governor Bush has a tougher ethics policy," Whitehead said. "The problem is that no one is following it. It is near impossible to be a leader on ethics when you're handing out so many exemptions. As it turns out, the governor's policy was in effect for all of nine days before he handed himself the first exemption."

Tilley said the gift was reviewed and approved in advance by Carol Licko, the governor's general counsel.

"I assume they agree it was appropriate for the governor to be at the game," Tilley said. "It is the largest sporting event in the world and he accepted the tickets from a good friend who has no business pending with the state."

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