Pam Childers’ antics have been costly for Escambia County taxpayers. I have started this countdown of her five most expensive attacks without much return on investment.
- Earlier this month, the Florida Commission on Ethics board voted to accept no probable cause in a complaint filed by Clerk Pam Childers against a county commissioner. See press release.
Detail
In July, Escambia County Clerk filed an ethics complaint against County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh, alleging that the commissioner “knowingly voted and demanded to pay an illegal expenditure in violation of section 129.08, Florida Statutes.” Read 7_24162 Complaint.
The expenditure in question was a $6,690 fine assessed against a former paramedic, Matthew Selover. Childers accused Bergosh of being guilty of malfeasance in office,” adding, “Please note many of these facts also apply to Commissioner Steven Barry.”
The Commission on Ethics executive director determined the complaint legally sufficient—after all, it was from the county clerk—and ordered a preliminary investigation to determine probable cause. Read 6_24162 Order to Investigate.
However, advocate Melody Hadley reviewed the evidence and found no probable cause. She wrote, “There is insufficient evidence to reflect that (Bergosh) brought the matter to the county commission in a manner that was inconsistent with the proper performance of his public duties.” 2_24162 Advocate’s Recommendation
Childers’ Political Games
Bringing Barry into the complaint against Bergosh was odd, except the District 5 commissioner was running against her choice for the spot in the November General Election. Had Bergosh been found guilty, Childers would have given the PNJ another headline to smear Barry.
- Barry defeated Joshua Roberson, 21,678 to 13,414.
Childers told the daily newspaper she knew the complaint was a longshot. However, she didn’t seem to care about the county misspending its resources for her vendetta.