Jim Greer, Former Florida GOP Chair, Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison

The former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, Jim Greer, was sentenced Wednesday to 18 months in prison, plus a year's probation for stealing from the Republican Party. See also: - Jim Greer: Racism and Dead Bodies Ahead - Jim Greer Lied to Everyone: to Us, to You, to...

By Chris Joseph

March 27, 2013

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The former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, Jim Greer, was sentenced Wednesday to 18 months in prison, plus a year's probation for stealing from the Republican Party.

Greer was swaddled with allegations of spending party money on hookers at a lavish GOP fundraiser in the Bahamas, going big on fancy restaurants and luxury hotels, and funneling a reported $200,000 of GOPer cheddar to a company he controlled.

"I believe I've made decisions that aren't ethical, yes," he told New Times in an exclusive interview published in January. "But making unethical decisions doesn't mean you're not an ethical person. Still, there were terrible mistakes."

The state had initially sought a sentence of 42 months in prison. But Greer, 50, accepted a plea deal before pleading guilty.

Greer was vice mayor of a small Central Florida town when then-Gov. Charlie Crist picked him to be the state party chairman in 2006. At the time, the selection came as a surprise.

Greer was instrumental in getting Crist elected.

Greer was removed as party chairman when the allegations surfaced. He was arrested in June 2010 after being indicted on six felony charges.

He was facing up to 75 years in prison before taking his plea bargain.

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