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Highlands Today

Governor Suspends Dan Andrews

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By GARY PINNELL

And JOE SEELIG Highlands Today

Published: November 27, 2008

SEBRING - Dan Andrews was suspended Wednesday from the Sebring City Council.

Gov. Charlie Crist filed executive order 08-244 at 1:56 p.m., removing Andrews from the public position.

"Daniel Farmer Andrews is prohibited from performing any official act, duty, or function of public office; from receiving any pay or allowance," the order said. It is effective until another executive order is issued.

The city has also been notified of the suspension and will likely discuss its options at the next city council meeting on Dec. 4.

Mayor George Hensley said after hearing of the suspension, "We regret the circumstances that Dan is in and I always say we're in America where a person is innocent until proven guilty. The governor's office made the decision it needed and the council could not make."

So what's the next step?

"Having never been there before, we will have to look at the city's charter and see what's in there. It was a suspension, not a removal. There's a big difference. We'll have to discuss it with the city attorney."

Andrews was elected March 12. A month later, he was fired as the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce president after accountants notified chamber board members of irregularities in the books. Later, they discovered the $86,000 scholarship fund was empty.

Andrews, charged with three felonies, will have his first appearance before a judge at 9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22, according to court records.

Judge Peter Estrada will conduct the arraignment. If the former Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce president cannot afford an attorney, Estrada may appoint one.

However, the McClure & Lobozzo law office confirmed Wednesday morning that Jim Lobozzo represents Andrews. A phone message left with Lobozzo was not returned by press time.

Andrews will have the opportunity to plead to the three felonies he was charged with Monday afternoon when he was arrested. He is accused of embezzlement, grand theft and attempting to defraud the chamber of up to $20,000.

Estrada may also schedule a pre-trail conference.

"We are gratified to see that the State Attorney's investigation has apparently come to an end," said a statement from the chamber board of directors released Tuesday evening.

The board didn't comment on the specifics of the investigation or charges.

"We will wait to see the legal process work through its appropriate channels," said the statement, which was e-mailed by the current president, Sarah Pallone.

"The chamber continues to execute our plan of action to move forward in order to serve the business community of the Greater Sebring area. We look forward to helping our member partners make the Greater Sebring area a prosperous business environment. We continue to solicit new members and input from current members on how to best carry out this mission."

Andrews was booked into jail at 4:42 p.m., but was released two hours later when Sottile Bail Bonds posted $3,000.

Capt. Booker Johnson said a quick release from Highlands County Jail is not unusual.

"It happens a lot."

When the arrest warrant was signed by Judge Angela Cowden, the bond was pre-determined, Johnson said.

Judges have agreed to a standard bond schedule for most felonies and misdemeanors, Johnson said.

In Andrew's case, three felonies equaled a $3,000 bond.

Reporter Gary Pinnell can be reached at gpinnell@highlandstoday.com or 863 386-5828

Reporter Joe Seelig can be reached at (863) 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com

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