Stronger public corruption law is proposed for Florida-- As if that would help

Broward State Attorney Michael Satz has proposed a new law that could make it easier to nab crooked elected officials who fail to disclose their financial interests.

Satz, along with other prosecutors and legislators in South Florida, is pushing to strengthen the state's official misconduct law.

A longtime elected official who avoids the spotlight, Satz held his first news conference in years to advocate for the ``Restoring Faith in Public Office Act.''

``There have been cases in the past where prosecutors have felt that the behavior of a public official clearly was corrupt, but the existing law did not allow prosecution of that behavior,'' he said. ``This bill changes that.''

The push comes on the heels of mounting criticism that his office doesn't voraciously investigate public corruption even as federal authorities brought a string of cases in September against city, county and school officials. Satz disputes that view.

Florida's official misconduct statute makes it a felony for a public official to falsify an official record.

Satz wants legislators to add language that would also punish elected officials who fail to disclose financial interests or future financial interests.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/5min/story/1465906.html
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Anarcho-Capitalist, ANCAPS Forum, Ancapolis