Embattled Florida State Chairman, Jim Greer was embarrassed by a Miami Herald story last Saturday amid a growing chorus of requests for a full audit of state party spending. 
The Herald revealed that Greer charged over $5,000 to a luxury Palm Beach hotel suite paid for by the Republican Party of Florida which included sumptuous meals, spa services, limousine services, French wines, and numerous purchases in the hotel gift shop.
Republican activists have raised questions about the state party chair using Party funds to pay for five-star restaurants, posh resorts, sports event tickets, premium cigars and more than a half million dollars in jet aircraft charters.
If Governor Charlie Crist who hand-picked Greer seems oblivious to the growing demand that Greer be replaced by someone who will be a better steward of State Party funds and a better representative for Crist on the Republican National Committee, particularly if Crist has 2012 ambitions, it’s because Greer has a secret patron.
Jim Greer has been a solicitous courtier of Carole Rome, Governor Charlie Crist’s fiancé who is fond of Greer and grateful that he is always quick with a credit card. The New York socialite divorcee is scheduled to marry the Governor on December 12 in Tampa.
Many major State Party donors are unhappy with Greer and his wild spending but have been hesitant to tell the Governor in the face of Crist’s recent letter of endorsement for Greer’s reelection.
Dissatisfaction with Greer is not limited to the Jeb Bush faction of the State Executive Committee with many key Crist supporters weary of Greer’s self-aggrandizement and personal spending.
Then there is the fact that John McCain lost Florida by 2 percent yet Greer finished the year with in excess of $1 million in the Party’s Federal account. McCain-Palin activists complained about a lack of yard signs and campaign material from the Republican Party of Florida after being told there were no more funds.
Pressure on Greer will ratchet up as several RPOF contributors prepare a lawsuit to require a forensic audit. The lawsuit will reportedly be lawyered by one of the top attorneys in South Florida and is expected to be filed between Christmas and New Years.
In recent weeks, some Republican activists have begun to talk about the tax implications of the personal goods and services Chairman Greer is writing-off to the Party. The matter will be bought to the attention of the IRS who could, theoretically, require an audit of their own to determine the amount on which Greer evaded taxes. Greer would be hard-put to explain how a $3,600 dinner for he and his wife at the Breaker’s Hotel in Palm Beach, is Party business.
Will the Obama Justice Department target a high-profile Republican like Greer? With top Crist fundraiser Harry Sargeant already under Federal investigation, can Crist afford another top-backer to have problems with campaign funds?
Greer who has announced that he is considering a bid for Republican National Chairman, is considered a “buffoon” by veteran RNC members, one longtime Republican National Committeeman told TNA.
“He wouldn’t have a single vote but his own,” a veteran State Chairman said. “He hurts Crist every time he opens his mouth. Longtime Committee members don’t like being talked down to.”
“What’s with the entourage?” asked a National Committeewoman. “He thinks he is the Governor of Florida!”
Greer attends RNC meetings with two bodyguards, two assistants, a press spokesperson, a personal photographer and a driver and limo.
Most RNC members are aware of Greer’s problems at home. A strong letter written by a McCain Advanceman, who had clashed with Greer in Florida during the Presidential campaign, was received by RNC members, many of whom knew the author - a wealthy Connecticut public relations man whose Party service goes back to the 1980s.
You can count on Jim Greer to be carrying Carole Rome’s wedding train. You can bet that Greer will be at the wedding to curry favor with the new First Lady of Florida. Little does she know that Greer is an impediment to her and Charlie’s dream of a move to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
POSTSCRIPT: Although Greer has been criticized by party activists for spending $46,000 of party funds on travel and entertainment in London during Gov. Crist’s Trade Mission, Greer has privately blamed the spending in London on incoming state House Leader Ray Sansom.
Late Update: The Palm Beach Post on the Gov’s gal.
2 Comments until now.
I am a member of the “Jeb Bush faction” and what you are saying is not true. If you are going to state “many” are… name names. Once you do that, I’ll name my name. The fact is, Greer’s spending is no more than previous administrations; however, the net gain in fundraising is more under Greer. This is just a witch hunt! If it were true, someone more impressive than Eric Miller would be running.
Did Carole Jean Jordan spend anywhere near the kind of money that has been spent in the last two years. I think not!
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