Sad: PolitiFact Fact-Checks Rick Scott's Doughnut Sales. Sadder: "Mostly False"

It might seem a little ridiculous that PolitiFact took the time to find out whether Gov. Rick Scott really sold more than 240 dozen doughnuts over a couple hours, as he claimed during his State of the State address.It's a little more ridiculous that PolitiFact returned with a verdict of...

By Matthew Hendley

January 12, 2012

[
        {
          "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
          "component": "16971022",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "15769925",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Rectangle 2x - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782206",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782207",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

It might seem a little ridiculous that PolitiFact took the time to find out whether Gov. Rick Scott really sold more than 240 dozen doughnuts over a couple hours, as he claimed during his State of the State address.

It's a little more ridiculous that PolitiFact returned with a verdict of "mostly false."

Scott, the former doughnut-shop owner, worked at a Tampa doughnut joint for a day last year during his reincarnation of the "Let's Get to Work" days.

Aside from a visit by the "Pink Slip Rick" folks who handed the governor some pink slips, it turned into a pretty big media opportunity for the governor.

But apparently he's embellishing his doughnut sales.

Reflecting on his day at the doughnut shop, Scott said they sold out of goods -- "more than 240 dozen by 8:30 a.m."

According to PolitiFact, they ran out after 65 dozen. They cooked up a few more, bringing that number up to around 80 dozen.

Well, to PolitiFact's defense, it did check other claims from the speech that may be more valuable than the governor potentially cookin' the books on doughnut sales.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of South Florida, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.