Well, guess what? It’s going to the Grand Jury.

Not only that, State Attorney Harry Shorstein is making hay out of this episode, taking the opportunity to confront the Council on their own turf: Shorstein scolds council on meetings

If you want to see something REALLY funny, click through that link and check out the deer-caught-in-headlights looks of Lad Daniels and Michael Corrigan. Brilliant photo by the Times-Union photog, John Pemberton.

The Florida Times-Union

June 13, 2007

Council admits meeting ‘mistakes’

By BETH KORMANIK,
The Times-Union

Jacksonville City Council President Michael Corrigan introduced a sweeping measure Tuesday to ensure compliance with Florida’s Sunshine Law. The ordinance is in response to Times-Union inquiries into widespread flouting of the law by members of the council – especially its leaders…

Really? You need a city ordinance to say you’ll comply with State Law? Am I the only one that finds this an absurd and ludicrous waste of time, money, and hot air?

Made aware of the Times-Union’s findings, State Attorney Harry Shorstein said Tuesday that he will bring the matter before a grand jury. The panel, whose next meeting is Thursday, will then decide whether to investigate.

Florida’s Sunshine Law requires that every meeting about public business involving two or more council members be announced and open to the public. Afterward, someone must file a written account of what happened. Punishments for breaking the law range from fines to removal from office. Public officials also can face civil lawsuits.

“If there have been criminal violations, the passage of any new ordinance would not prohibit the prosecution of existing or past violations,” Shorstein said.

Good! Every politician in the state knows about this law, it’s been of the books since Jesus Christ played linebacker for the Gators. They knew what they were doing. No excuses!