The investigation into the alledged theft of campaign signs involving State House Dist. 1 candidates Greg Brown Jr. and Doug Broxson has been moved to the State Attorney’s Office in Panama City.
In a press release today, State Attorney Bill Eddins says the case was moved to the 14th District location because of a conflict of interest in his office.
“A long time employee of this office is a close family relative to the alleged victim in this matter,” he writes. “My stepson has been employed by the father of Greg Brown (Greg Brown Sr., Santa Rosa Property Appraiser) for a number of years.”
On Saturday, July 24, Brown Jr. and his wife were video taped removing Broxson campaign signs from a property, owned by  Don Dewrell, just north of Milton. The video was placed on Youtube and quickly surfaced as the second candidate debacle  in Santa Rosa County in recent weeks.
In order for the case to be moved, Governor Crist will issue an Executive Assignment order, which usually “takes a few days” according to the Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille.
Marcille tells IN that he cannot comment on the case directory due to the conflict issue, but similar cases involving campaign signs have led to petty theft charges.
“In the past we’ve had similar situations but not with candidates.”