Update: Eggelletion Tells Lawyer That Rumors He Will Resign Are “Bullshit”
BY BUDDY NEVINS
Rumors are sweeping through the Broward Government Center that Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion is about to resign.
Nothing could be confirmed.
But the rumors are pervasive and were about all that was being talked about at the Government Center today.
Eggelletion could not be reached for comment.
The member of a local law firm heard the rumors and called the commissioner. “He said it was all bullshit,” I was told.
Eggelletion was not at today’s meeting. He told other commissioners that he was absent because of the death of his father-in-law.
Eggelletion
“We all heard it, says one commissioner. “We’ve heard that (Gov.) Charlie (Crist) is already looking (for a replacement.).
Eggelletion has supposedly prepared a resignation letter.
“I know someone who says they have seen it, says a commissioner.
These rumors come amid a blizzard of talk in political circles since the beginning of the year that federal and state authorities are investigating commissioners. No proof has been made public that indicates Eggelletion is a target of any investigation.
Eggelletion won’t return my calls. Maybe it has something to do with the stories I wrote at the Sun-Sentinel. Here are a sample in just his first five years on the commission:
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2/15/01: Eggelletion votes for a $215 million no-bid contract for a stevedore company at Port Everglades. The firm’s lobbyist was Judy Stern, who helped Eggelletion get elected.
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5/8/01: Eggelletion is a major force behind buying land for a county park. The developer bought the land in the morning and sold it to the county in the afternoon for a $5.5 million profit.
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3/8/02: Eggelletion was asked to repay thousands billed to a county credit card after the Sun-Sentinel questioned charges for golf games, video rentals, bar bills and a $658 leather Bally briefcase. He publicly apologized.
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3/22/02: School system investigates misuse of sick pay by Eggelletion. No charges were filed.
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1/12/05: Eggelletion conceded to the Sun-Sentinel that he fathered a child with a woman other than his wife. The woman claimed Eggelletion slept with him while she was a high school student.
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1/14/05: Eggelletion was fined $2,500 for breaking ethics laws. He voted on a contract for Waste Management while being paid by the firm as a lobbyist.
Commission sources say Eggelletion has been acting strangely lately, talking at meetings about leaving the commission and his death.
Meanwhile, The Broward/Palm Beach New Times’ Bob Norman wrote today quoting sources that Eggelletion had hired lawyer Johnny McCray Jr. to represent him in the criminal investigations of the commission taking place.
McCray, who is well-known in Pompano Beach, is a long-time associate of Eggelletion. The lawyer’s influence helped neutralize Pat Larkins, a Pompano Beach commissioner, in Eggelletion’s campaign victory in 2000.
First elected to the commission in 2000, Eggelletion is serving his last term.
Before being elected to the commission, Eggelletion served eight years in the Florida House. He was a Lauderdale Lakes council member earlier in his career.
Eggelletion is retired from the Broward schools, having started in 1994 as a teacher at Cooper City High. He ended his career as an administrator.
He has one distinction that no other commissioner has: He is a state certified barber and hair stylist.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:17 am
One down. Eight to go.
There are four or five commissioners who would have no way to make a living unless they could peddle their influence and/or be supported by lobbyists.
August 25th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Where there is that much smoke, there is fire.
August 25th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
He is so bad and what he did to his wife was unthinkable too.
Everyone knew about it.
The School System should have filed charges against him, but, because he was a County Commissioner, they backed off, why? Oh yeah Till was there, that answers it. He needs to go far, far away… Get lost Egglelletion
August 25th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Commissioner Matt Meadows?
August 25th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
There are so many community activists who would be better qualified than Eggelletion to represent. We need some new blood.
August 25th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
I agree that we need new blood on the commission.
How about a non-democrat?
Perhaps someone of a different political party (since the rest are all democrats) would lend a contrary view on occasion.
Most of us believe that our county commission acts in ways which appear to be either unethical or outright illegal.
I wonder if it has anything to do with everyone being on the same team (democrats)? Hmmmm…
August 25th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Almost anybody would be an improvement.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:59 am
He is, and has always been, a power hungry crook! Now if you can only expose Judy his puppet master.
Hopefully ‘Teflon Joe’ will finally sleep with the fishes (figuratively of course)!
August 27th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
One of my Democratic friends responded to this article by saying, “They’re all doing it, it’s just that some of them get caught.”
Now, whether or not any or all of the commissioners are doing things under the table is not for me to say, but I do have to scratch my head at the reputation of this county where this is even a thought.
I would love to accept your nomination for county commissioner in order to clean up this image and bring a new perspective to the commission, but I have recently accepted a new job and will be moving to Minnesota within the month.
So long, and thanks for all the fish.
FROM BUDDY: I am sorry you are leaving. I hope some Republican continues to offer comments about Broward. We need GOP imput!!!
Minnesota is the home of former Gov. Jessie “The Body” Ventura and other colorful politicians. You should have fun, so stay involved.
August 28th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Thanks for the well wishes, Buddy. It was great speaking with you the few times that we met, and I will still try to stay involved at various levels within Broward County.
The Broward Republican may be gone soon, but I already have a website done up to replace it which will cover all of Florida (and probably Minnesota now, as well, lol).