John Powell, Republican candidate for Escambia County Sheriff, no longer is listed by Gov. Rick Scott as the head of his director for the Division of Alcohol Beverages & Tobacco. When you visit the website, you will see Debi Pender, Acting Director. The rumor I received – from two independent sources – was that Powell resigned at the suggestion of the Secretary of Department of Business & Professional Regulation, Ken Lawson, after Lawson found out about a scheduled fundraiser for Powell with the vendors that he regulates. Powell was appointed to director of ABT in August 2009 by then Gov. Charlie Crist.
I spoke with the spokesperson for DBPR and she confirmed that Powell is not longer the director. Here is his resignation letter: DOC091611-09162011131041
