Former Florida GOP chairman Jim Greer is facing a criminal investigation that will examine allegations that Greer spearheaded a secret fundraising contract that may have resulted in nearly $200,000 of donor money being redirected to Greer and the party's executive director.
Jim Thrasher, who took over as chairman of the Florida Republican Pary after Greer resigned released a statement Wednesday outlining the findings of an independent annual audit of expenses.
"[D]uring the course of the ongoing internal audit it was discovered that the Republican Party of Florida may have been the victim of illegal criminal activity on the part of one of its vendors, controlled by a senior-level official," Thrasher said in a statement Wednesday. "I immediately notified Attorney General Bill McCollum, who has referred this matter to the proper authorities."
Greer left the top spot at the state party in January over complaints about his spending as well as his support for Florida Gov. Charlie Crist over challenger Marco Rubio -- the more conservative candidate -- in the state's U.S. Senate race.
Crist, who hand-picked Greer as chairman for Republican party, responded to news that his colleague was coming under legal fire Wednesday afternoon:
"I find it terribly disturbing to hear, but I know that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will certainly conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation," Crist told reporters.