John Powell, candidate for Escambia County Sheriff, was indicted on Monday on one misdemeanor charge for accepting cash contributions in excess of $50. He turned himself last night, was arrested, booked and later released on his own recognizance. Powell will be arraigned this morning.
An indictment is a formal charge by a grand jury; it does not indicate guilt or innocence. The indictment and arrest will not prevent Powell from continuing his campaign for office, and the trial is probably months away.
Other media claimed that Sheriff David Morgan’s campaign finances were also investigated by the grand jury, although no written statement was ever issued by the state attorney’s office. Regardless, no charges against Morgan were issued by the grand jury.
“I am not guilty of these accusations and will plea not guilty and will demand a trial by jury of my peers,” said Powell in a written statement given to the media. “Having dedicated 27 years of my life to the criminal justice system, I respect (Grand Jury’s) role; however, I am confident that a trial jury, after hearing all the evidence, will find that I committed no crime.”
Powell said that it was volunteers that accepted the contributions and the Morgan filed his complaint with the state attorney’s office based on Powell’s own campaign reports. “In other parts of the state, as well as with local candidates, these issues have been handled through the statutorily-recognized process of filing administrative complaints through the Florida Elections Commission,” said Powell.
Powell accused Morgan of taking the focus off the issues and embarrassing Powell and his supporters by making a criminal complaint with the state attorney. He said that he could have filed a similar criminal complaint against Morgan but chose not to do so. “These actions are better addressed in the civil arena not in the criminal courts,” said Powell.
Morgan did also accept two cash contributions for more than $50, but, unlike Powell, the sheriff’s campaign refunded the money prior to filing his last campaign report.
Powell said the trial will not stop him from seeking office. “I am continuing my campaign for sheriff of Escambia County, so we can make our community safe again, address the real issues related to crime in our community, and ensure that all people are treated fairly without prejudice,” said Powell.