Jots, Tittles, Chattering Classes, … and Bill Segal

In an explosive expose´, the Orlando Sentinel story revealed Bill Segal's numerous refusals to disclose to the public and other county commissioners the identity of his major partner in his land-development deals. From the Sentinel article, it looks like his refusals violate both state ethics laws and county ethics rules.

Click here to see the full story.

According to the report, at least nine times while Segal has been in office, the Board of County Commissioners has been asked to vote for something for well-known land developer Nancy Rossman – often resulting in handsome payoffs in the hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars. In spite of state laws intended to prevent local elected officials from voting on matters that benefit their business partners, Segal frequently voted for his partner's projects. Other times Segal disappeared from the Commission meeting rather than publicly abstaining from voting and filing a voting-conflict disclosure form, explaining the nature of the conflict.

Segal's response to all this? It seems to be that … he just … doesn't get it.

Huh? How could he not get it?

He implies he doesn't know what deals Nancy Rossman is in or when her deals are the subject of a commission vote, even though on many occasions her name was listed right on the agenda. Then he appears to pass the responsibility on to the public, saying anyone with a computer can figure out his business relationships.

He said he is "not versed in every jot and tittle" of the ethics laws that apply to him as a county commissioner.

So many land deals. So many partnerships. So many partners. So little time for the jots and the tittles!

Well, just maybe Commissioner Segal is on to something. Life – and business – can be complicated and, well, maybe a bit confusing for big-money developers like him.

Just look at this webpage http://tinyurl.com/bill-segal-rossman-connection for "Corporation Wiki".

When Corporation Wiki charted Rossman's land-development deals and partners, it came out looking like the children's game of "pick-up sticks". But, sure enough, in the middle of all those land developers, all those land-development partnerships, all those land-development deals … there he is, mayor-wannabe, Bill ("William M.") Segal.

Given his complicated relationships and real estate deals, can we really expect him to know – and comply with – the ethics laws that govern commissioners and the county mayor?

On that question, Teresa Jacobs is not confused. The answer is a loud "yes!"

Sadly, we cannot be sure Bill Segal even cares to know the laws that apply to him. After all, he said in 2006 that only the "chattering class" cares about ethics.

One thing is certain: when it comes to ethics and public service, there is a clear difference between Bill Segal and Teresa Jacobs.

Throughout 2006, 2007, and 2008, Teresa Jacobs waged a hard-fought battle to increase disclosure to the public of people – like Nancy Rossman – with whom the county commission members – like Bill Segal – are in business.

A "blue ribbon" ethics panel. A county-ethics ordinance. A county-charter ethics amendment approved by 87% of the voters. The process was detailed, extensive, and time-consuming. Segal was there throughout the many months it took. He heard it all. He was part of it.

Segal now says he just isn't "versed in every jot and tittle of the law." Nonsense. He not only knew every jot and tittle, he worked to block important parts of the Jacobs reforms. He made motions and voted to strike things, to delay things, to water down things, and even to create legal loopholes in her reforms.

There is nothing wrong with being a land developer. They play an important role in our state and local economies.

However, as the 87% vote for the ethics amendment to the county charter showed, if a land developer like Bill Segal wants to be Orange County Mayor, the public needs and wants ironclad assurance that he will disclose all his business affairs and all his business partners.

Yet, as a county commissioner, Bill Segal has had to be dragged, kicking and whining (i.e. he got caught), into complying with state and county ethics rules. First it was the men's only "no-name club" parties hosted by lobbyists. Then he was caught not disclosing his business partners. Now this. What's next?

SEGAL-STINK-BOMB ALERT!

If Bill Segal and his paid campaign staff stick to their playbook, we can expect a frivolous and unfounded stink bomb to be hurled any moment now at Teresa and her campaign contributors, supporters and workers. If Segal doesn't do it, he'll again use his land-developer-turned-politician friend Matt Falconer -- who is the only candidate who will not release his tax returns -- to set off the bomb.

The Sentinel has pulled back the curtain and revealed Segal's repeated refusals to follow state and county ethics laws. When this sort of thing has happened in the past, the response of Segal and his political operatives, including former TV reporter Josh Wilson, has been to try to convince the media that Teresa Jacobs is "unethical too!"

These falsehoods try to deflect attention from Segal's wrongdoing. But they are just another in a long line of confirmed deceptions by Segal.

That's what happened a few weeks ago when Channel 9 reported that Teresa now works part time for a consulting firm for which Teresa [gasp!] cast a vote five years earlier. No ethics issue there. But when it follows a report of another mayoral candidate being arrested for soliciting a bribe, and a land-developer-turned-politician like Matt Falconer makes false accusations, speaking in solemn tones, it can make a non-story sound like a real story.

In reality, it's just Segal and his developer-buddy Falconer ganging up against Teresa -- the one candidate who stands in the way of their dirty politics and their secret, backroom deals.

Get ready. The next stink bomb is surely coming.