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Former State Republican Chair Gets 18 Months

WGCU | By Amy Green
Published March 28, 2013 at 8:43 AM EDT

Former Florida Republican Party chair Jim Greer was sentenced to 18 months in prison Wednesday, after he admitted to stealing tens of thousands of dollars from the party. Greer was also ordered to serve one year of probation.

Greer's lawyer says he fell on his sword for others in the party- including former Florida Governor Charlie Crist. Crist appointed Greer to lead the Florida Republican party in 2007. In February Greer pleaded guilty to five counts of theft and money laundering in a scheme to defraud the state GOP of more than $200,000.
After the sentencing, Greer's defense attorney, Damon Chase, said Crist knew about Greer's activities and lied under oath when he said he didn't.

"Charlie Crist sacrificed John Greer – his political buddy at the time – on the alter of Charlie Crist's own ambition, which is outrageous", Chase said.

Crist is a former U.S. Senate candidate and a possible gubernatorial candidate in 2014. He didn't immediately return calls for comment. Greer's prosecutor says he has no plans of pursuing the allegation against Crist.
Tags
Law and Order Jim GreerInvestigationRepublicanCrimeLocal
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