Over the past few weeks, Blogger PBinCC has been allowed to viciously and maliciously "Lie" about our Clerk of Courts, James Jett, on this blog site. I know Mr. Jett personally, worked in his campaigns, and have 1st hand knowledge of the "Lies" PBinCC is stating regarding pay bonuses, campaign violations, and intimidation of Clerk employees on this site.
PBinCC alleges on at least 4 occasions on this site, and I quote, "The Clerk gave employees bonuses during the last election cycle (2004), then requested half back in campaign donations". This is a well documented "lie". Lets look at the facts, and you decide, "Truth Vs. Lies":
During the 2004 election cycle, Mr. Wayne Spivey and an employee of the Clerks office made this a campaign issue. The employee had filed complaints regarding these issues with the State Attorney's Office (See case # SA-04-103028), Florida Elections Commission (See case # FEC04-248), Florida Commission on Ethics and the Florida Commission on Human Relations. All of these agencies either refused to investigate, or after extensive investigation found the complaint to be unfounded thus totally exonerating Mr. Jett.
But, even after all of this, is there any truth to PBinCC allegations contained in these blogs? The answer is "NO", These are vicious/malicious "LIES".
#1... The employee pay bonuses were given in July of 2004 after being promised for over a year by Mr. Jett. FACT...The complaining employee on June 22,2004 stated to Mr. Jett and witnesses, "I can't believe Mr. Spivey is attacking our bonuses. Mr Jett has promised this to us for over a year." (See evidence obtained in FEC04-248 and SA-04-103028). The employee then submitted to Mr. Jett E-Mails printed from her computer substantiating this "FACT". So, PBinCC this is a vicious/malicious "LIE".
#2...Not any employee were asked, pressured, or intimidated, either directly or indirectly, by Mr. Jett to donate to his campaign. FACT...SBinCC has listed some of the employees who voluntarily gave money to Mr. Jett's campaign. It is interesting that one additional employee, mysteriously missing from the list, also gave money on May 21, 2004, Paige Barthlow (For complete list see supervisor of Elections website). It should be noted that sworn depositions were taken, interviews held and evidence submitted to these investigatory agencies, yet, not one person stated they had been pressured, asked, or intimidated by Mr. Jett to donate to his campaign. In fact, 15 of the 16 supervisors and over 50 total employees submitted sworn statements denying this ever happened. (See FEC # 04-248 and SA-04-103028). So, PBinCC this is another documented vicious/malicious "LIE".
#3...The FACT is, Mr. Jett collected $57,000 from 155 contributors, of which 14 were employees of the clerks office. Almost all donations by employees occurred in May of 2004 and not any employee donated any money at any time after the bonuses were given out in July of 2004 (see campaign treasurers report, FEC # 04-248 and SA-04-103028). So, PBinCC this is another vicious/malicious "LIE".
Lastly, get a life, Driving a county vehicle to and from home is legal and proper. Mr. Jett owns a home in St. Augustine, (see St. Johns Co. Property Records) and, just like other county employees who drive or have driven their county vehicles to homes in adjacent counties, this does not conflict with existing policy. I would hope Mr. Jett would not do this to eliminate even the Appearance of Negativity.
PBinCC, OUTOFSORT, HELPCLAYCOUNTY, etc... Bloggers should be expected to present facts, especially on a site as reputable as MyClaySun. You Decide, "Truth or Lies"...