Sansom dealt double trouble by House committee (PHOTOS)

TALLAHASSEE — A House committee Tuesday afternoon denied embattled former Speaker of the House Ray Sansom's motion to dismiss legislative misconduct charges against him.

Sansom, R-Destin, had a front row seat for the Select Committee on Standards and Official Conduct's unanimous 5-0 decision.

The committee's special counsel, Melanie Hines, argued that Sansom had been granted two delays, and had ample time to hire counsel and prepare for a full hearing.

"I believe this is the third time Mr. Sansom has been told this motion would be heard today," she said.

Last month, Sansom had been granted a delay to find new counsel after his attorney, Richard Coates, withdrew, citing a conflict of interest.

After a three-week search, Sansom hired Gainesville attorney Glorida Fletcher. She argued that additional time was needed so she could fully acclimate herself to the case. She said that said she is reviewing over 7,000 documents related to the case.

"We have made every effort to try and coordinate...all these documents," she said. "Our hesitancy in doing it today is that we have not gone through the 7,000 documents."

The committee Tuesday also denied a Sansom's request to push back the legislative misconduct hearing until criminal charges against him are adjudicated.

Fletcher argued that Sansom's civil rights were being infringed upon because he was forced to defend himself in both a criminal trial and before the House panel.

Committee chairman Rep. Bill Galvano, R - Bradenton, disagreed.

"This is not unchristened," he said. "What typically has to be shown is a demonstrable prejudice...and I don't feel...that that has been shown at this point."

The request falling on deaf ears should have come as no surprise. In a Jan. 22 letter, Galvano said that a full hearing would be scheduled before the start of the March 3 legislative session.

“To meet that deadline, we must keep to this schedule and anticipate that you and your counsel will participate in the motions and hearings schedule,” the letter said. “The committee will proceed pursuant to this schedule with or without you and/or your attorney’s participation.”

The hearing will take place the week of Feb. 22.

The misconduct charges were filed by Odessa resident Susan Smith, who filed because she said Sansom had "diminished" her respect for the Florida House. The charge stems back to 2007-08, when Sansom helped obtain approximately $30 million in appropriations for Northwest Florida State College, where he then took a $110,000 part-time job.

The House can vote to acquit Sansom or to enforce sanctions ranging from a reprimand to expulsion from the Legislature