Congressman Steve Southerland has now responded to the growing scandal surrounding his trip to King Ranch – but in doing so he’s only raised even more questions:
- First Congressman Southerland claims his visit to King Ranch was at the “invitation” of King Ranch.
- Then, Congressman Southerland says it was a “personal trip taken at his own expense,” and refused to provide details.
- Finally, Congressman Southerland says that he “did discuss issues” during his trip to King Ranch, including immigration issues.
The Panama City News Herald also reports that “Southerland was asked if he would disclose any details of his trip,” but so far is refusing to provide any further information.
On the 3rd day of this developing scandal, here are the questions Congressman Southerland still needs to answer:
- Was the trip to King Ranch personal, or was it to discuss issues?
- Who was he discussing issues with at King Ranch, and what other issues did he discuss?
- Did Congressman Southerland use his personal funds so he did not have to disclose expenditures for the trip?
- When did Congressman Southerland go to King Ranch?
- Why was the meeting held at King Ranch?
- Did Congressman Southerland miss any votes to attend this trip?
- Will Congressman Southerland release his receipts for this trip?
Congressman Southerland has accepted more than $25,000 from sugar interests, including $2,000 from U.S. Sugar. Congressman Southerland’s admission that he visited King Ranch – where sugar lobbyists held at least one secret meeting with leading Florida Republicans – first came to light during his press conference touting a bill supported by the Sugar Industry that would target Florida’s wetlands.
“Each day that Congressman Southerland shifts his story and refuses to provide simple details about his trip to King Ranch only raises more questions about this scandal,” said David Bergstein of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Congressman Southerland can’t seem to answer if this was a personal vacation, or if he visited King Ranch to discuss substantive issues. And if Congressman Southerland just happened to be stopping by the same ranch in Texas where his lobbyist backers held secret meetings with other lawmakers – then Congressman Southerland should have no problem answering simple questions about his trip.”
BACKGROUND:
Southerland’s Legislation to Block Oversight of Florida Wetlands Is Supported by Sugar Industry.
“Southerland’s bill enjoys wide support from business groups like the Florida Chamber and the Florida sugar industry, which has faced increasing regulation over agricultural pollution, especially in the Everglades.”
[Miami Herald, 8/18/14]
Southerland Accepted $2,000 from U.S. Sugar, More Than $25,000 from Sugar Interests.
During the 2014 election cycle, Southerland accepted $2,000 from U.S. Sugar. Southerland also accepted at least $25,000 from PACs related to the sugar industry.
[Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 8/19/14; FEC, accessed 8/19/14]