TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The Florida Ethics Commission is refusing to write off nearly $100,000 in uncollectable fines and will seek passage of a law aimed at cracking down on scofflaws.
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The panel voted Friday against writing off the old fines even though a four-year statute of limitations has expired.
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The commissioners said they want to use the list of financial disclosure violators to persuade lawmakers to let the panel place liens on real estate owned by those who don't pay. Those violators include many still in office or public jobs.
One commissioner noted that the list includes state Rep. Eric Fresen, a Miami Republican fined $1,500 for a violation in 2003 when he was still a legislative staffer.
Fresen did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
Associated Press