Was there an actual report given to the Board?


Yes, and this is the area that I will need to separate personal from ABATE information as much as possible. I made a promise not to divulge all the personal garbage simply because it is embarrassing to others involved. The fabrication of personal and conspiratorial interaction is a bit mind boggling to say the least. While I found this to be a new and unacceptable situation, others were already accustomed to such and while finding it to be an extreme example, they found it also to be the norm.

This report was read in its entirety as part of the minutes of the "Emergency Meeting" on the evening of April 1st, 2009 and was later destroyed from the record. All members of the State Board serving at that time received copies of this for their own use.

It started on Wednesday, March 25, with the finding that HB1161 would be heard in committee that Friday March, 27th. The Lobbyist was in Ohio tending to funeral arrangements as his Mother had passed away that very morning. I called and notified him of the committee hearing and asked what needed to be done. We (he and I) had already discussed the coming change that was going to be introduced in the committee and the decision was already agreed that to keep the bill moving the amendment would be accepted and supported. Further changes could come in a subsequent hearing. He insisted that he return to Florida, skip his Mother's funeral and attend the meeting. I'm sorry but that's not right...

I notified him that I had made work arrangements and would head to Tallahassee, pick up the copies of the amendment, email them to him for review, and attend the meeting so we (ABATE) would at least be represented. I told him he needed to take care of his family situation and that these simple task would not require his return. We already knew that the vote on the amendment would most likely be unanimous no matter what and he could deal with it upon returning.

On March 26th, I arrived in Tallahassee, met with Representative Planas' staff and obtained copies of the amendment to be introduced. I headed for a copy shop to convert the copies to files for email and found a motel for the night. I emailed the files to the lobbyist and called to discuss the next day's process and procedures.

Later that evening, our communications took a nose-dive... Text messages were going back and forth with some information not making sense and basically that... in his absence, I and others were making accomplishments that he could not. I did not understand all the underlying meanings of the messages, only that the lobbyist appeared to upset that someone else had stepped into his area or domain. The Vice President called later that night saying that the lobbyist had requested that no one call him anymore. I complied. It appeared to me that I had somehow I had become a threat to the Lobbyist... but did not understand how or why.

March 27th, 8 am - the committee hearing began and I was in attendance. I spoke briefly as instructed, in support of the amendment, stayed for the unanimous vote, and left. I immediately sent a text message letting the lobbyist know the outcome.

March 27th, 9:17 am - text message from the lobbyist
"Bill will be heard in the senate weds you need to decide what abate wants to do and then contact sen Garcia"

My reply - "Will do and thanks"

It appeared (based upon our earlier discussions) that I needed to go to Senator Garcia's office and notify them of the House Committee decision earlier that morning. Now that I look back at this message, it is odd that he is telling me that "I" have to decide. I did not pick up on that at the time because of previous discussions that included the upcoming Senate version of the bill.

I delivered copies of the house amendment to Anna, Senator Garcia's Staff person and stated that we needed the Senate bill to match so we could proceed to the next committee for more changes. She stated that Senator Garcia would like to get confirmation of this decision from the ABATE lobbyist.

From me to the Lobbyist, 12:24 pm - text message
"Talked to Anna, Garcia wants to talk to you to confirm acceptance from this morning's house change before proceeding"

Reply from the Lobbyist, 12:53 pm - text message
"I have nothing more to do with this talk to fish and (another person)"

Reply to the lobbyist from me, 12:55 pm - text message
"WHAT? I'm real confused now - will call as you say"

The conversations went rapidly downhill with personal stuff that did not make sense to me. Information was given that stopped me, just so I could clear my head a bit.

The lobbyist was refusing to call Senator Garcia's office to discuss the changes. I notified Anna that our lobbyist was tied up for the moment and that I would have the ABATE Vice President call for the needed confirmation. I called the Vice President and gave him the needed information and headed home.

At this point, my job was done and the lobbyist was to be back in town Saturday late evening or sometime Sunday. It was pretty obvious that there was some discussions coming over this fiasco and I was already preparing my notes.

Sunday, March 29th - 9:45 pm - email from the President to the entire State Board
"I am home right now but will be leaving tuesday morning back to Ohio. Call Danny Fish for anything abate and call Mike Price and (other person) if it has to do with lobbying as they are now the lobbyist. Also.... (he continued into personal attacks on ABATE members).

Now we have a problem... I tried to call the lobbyist but only got voicemail and was getting no return calls. I contacted the Vice President who informed me that he was also leaving messages with no response. We discussed the content of the email message and discussed the situation with the upcoming Senate Committee hearing on Wednesday, April 1st. The decision was made for me to attend the committee hearing and plan for things to be resolved soon. All I needed to do was the same as the House hearing... support the bill, get a match, get a vote, then target the next committee for needed changes.

Tuesday, March 31st - 1:15 pm
I arrived in Senator Garcia's office to discuss the next day's agenda and introduction of the amendment. As I arrived, the lobbyist was sitting in the office foyer area talking on his phone. Upon completing his conversation, he abruptly got up and started to leave the room with no acknowledgement. I spoke out, "Hi Doc, how are you doing?". His reply was crude and rude to say the very least as he walked down the hall without ever turning around...

From me to the lobbyist - 1:22 pm, text message
"I understood you were headed to Ohio, what am I supposed to do please"

Reply from the lobbyist
".... I am representing myself you two are abate's lobbyist that's what you and the (expletive) wanted"

Reply back from me
"Sorry, but I have no clue what .....(personal reference) has to do with any of this, if you are doing ABATE business, I need to leave. I am not the lobbyist."

Additional reply from me to the lobbyist
"Since you are here, I will head back home"

I notified the Vice President of the conversational exchange and events. He said he had tried to make contact with the Lobbyist with no success. I left Tallahassee and returned home.

Other then personal information, this is a condensed version of the 4 page report. The real report was more detailed and included some of the personal references that are purposely left out.

The next step was the "Emergency Board Meeting" that never happened...