A Special Prosecutor on Public Corruption said Greer put together a secret deal to steal money from the party.
Tallahassee, Florida - The 10 News Investigators have learned that one of the most powerful lobbyists in the state, Brian Ballard, says former Governor Charlie Crist authorized fund raising payments to former state GOP Chairman Jim Greer.
Greer was arrested in June of 2009 for paying himself and the party's executive director, Delmar Johnson, a commission on the money they raised for the party. A Special Prosecutor on Public Corruption said Greer put together a secret deal to steal money from the party.
However, Thursday under deposition, Ballard testified when he called the Governor to ask why the former fund raiser was being fired, Crist told him he authorized Greer and Johnson to take over fund raising for the party and be paid for it. Ballard said the Governor also told him that the new deal would end up saving the party money, because the former fund raiser, Meredith O'Rourke was not only making a commission but being paid $30,000 a month.
Crist, who denied in the past that he didn't know anything about the deal, was not available for comment.
Meanwhile, Senate President Mike Haridopolos also testified he lied when he said he didn't sign a secret severance package for Greer which said all money paid to him was appropriate.
Greer's Attorney, Damon Chase, says the testimony today is a major blow to the prosecution. Greer is suing the Republican party of Florida for failure to honor the severance package which was signed by Haridopolos, House Speaker, Dean Cannon and Greer's successor, State Senator, John Thrasher.