Friends,

The Florida Ethics Commission has found probable cause that Rep. Erik Fresen (R-Miami) violated ethics provisions of the state Constitution. The matter has now been referred to Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford to determine Fresen’s penalty.

Join me and urge House Speaker Will Weatherford to impose a real penalty and not a slap on the wrist. We can't let Fresen off the hook!

http://www.progressflorida.org/fresen?referring_akid=454.138090.Hc16kn&source=taf

Florida law allows for a different set of rules for the legislature so they decide their own penalties for ethics violations, while other state and local officials face penalties of up to $10,000 from the Ethics Commission when they violate the law. Fresen has admitted that from 2008-11 he didn’t properly disclose his net worth, assets and liabilities on financial disclosure forms as he was legally required to do. Fresen has also refused to pay a $1,500 fine levied by the Florida Commission on Ethics way back in 2004 for campaign law violations he committed in 2003.

"I can't believe that a sitting House member has not paid his fine," said Ethics Commission member Morgan Bentley.

Contact speaker Weatherford right now and urge him to hold Fresen accountable.

http://www.progressflorida.org/fresen?referring_akid=454.138090.Hc16kn&source=taf

The Fresen case is Exhibit A as to why we need strong ethics laws with real penalties. Officials fined by the Ethics Commission should pay what they owe to the people of Florida. Thanks for your help in holding Rep. Fresen accountable for his actions.