Taxpayer-Funded Vehicles Face Increased Scrutiny. To Wit:

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

According to The Gainesville Sun, Mark Sexton was the director/actor for the local Hippodrome State Theatre. In August 2004, Alachua County hired Sexton as their official, part-time spokesman, at a salary of $50,298 (now $59,475). After a couple of tropical storms, County Manager Randall Reid authorized a county-paid car for Sexton AND "unlimited use" for his personal Prius. So now… "The accident happened on Christmas night 2006. Sexton was on vacation in Miami when he struck Miami Beach resident Felix Lopez while Lopez – who was dressed as a woman – was crossing the street. A police report states the officer was unable to determine who was at fault and that no injuries were reported at the scene. Sexton did not tell county officials of the accident until about a month later, when a legal notice was sent to the county. Lopez has since sued the county. Commissioners discussed whether to defend Sexton in the suit and eventually decided to do so. Sexton said he had consulted an attorney and threatened to sue if the county did not defend him." Needless to say, this is just one example of the nationwide scrutiny suddenly facing government workers' use of taxpayer-funded vehicles (e.g. LA County's $433m fleet of 12,780 vehicles) now that gas prices have soared. As for Sexton, "he doesn't remember how much gas was in the tank when he left for Miami but added he is pretty certain he bought gas with his own money during the trip." And no, this is not the plot of a Carl Hiassen novel.

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • ZoomZoom ZoomZoom on Jul 13, 2008

    Why should any government entity even be in the business of buying cars? Seems to me that this opens the door for personal (mis)use scandals. william442 Says: As a long time resident, I assure you that at least 90% of Florida residents are nuts. Hmm, so you know us all?

  • Robert Farago Robert Farago on Jul 13, 2008

    Headline amended.

  • Rob P Rob P on Jul 13, 2008

    Well, Alachua County is home to the University of Florida, one of the largest state schools in Florida, so, they're not exactly starved for cash. UF has made that two-horse garbage town into a psuedo-metropolis with many too many people living there than really should be. Secondly, Sexton is a scumbag, just like any other government official, running over trannys not withstanding.

  • DaddyOfPayton DaddyOfPayton on Jul 14, 2008
    Hmm, so you know us all? Nope, but apparently at least 90% of you.
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