Cleaning up after Ruthie's mess

And then there’s Ruthie.

That would be former Commissioner Ruthie Schlabach, the apparent mastermind behind an ill-fated attempt to get state money for the C.R. 491 widening at the behest of her employer’s client, an influential developer.
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We couldn’t let this chapter of the C.R. 491 caper end without the Ruthie angle. As a lobbyist, Ruthie used her relationships with former colleagues to wrest a ridiculous $3 million legislative request from Citrus County officials who now say they were misled.

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Let’s unwrap.

First off, remember that blog I pulled back in February? Ruthie was the subject. I wondered how a former commissioner could be hired as a lobbyist because I thought we passed a constitutional amendment against that very thing.

I ended up pulling the blog after Ruthie complained that I didn’t speak with her first, which is a JWC rule I try to follow consistently. 

I saw Ruthie at the Floral City Strawberry Festival and we talked. The conversation wasn’t going anywhere, so I decided to just drop the idea. I figured if my original reason for the blog — the appropriateness of a former commissioner lobbying the County Commission on behalf of developers — arose organically, I’d be ready to take a look at it then.

And…that’s exactly what happened.

Now you’re up to speed.

After losing the election to Janet Barek, Ruthie was hired by The Southern Group, whose clients include Metro Development Group, developers of the proposed Tuscany Ranch on C.R. 491 across from Hampshire.

Southern Group lobbyists, including Ruthie, reached out to Chair Rebecca Bays with this intriguing idea: Citrus County could seek money for the C.R. 491 widening, and the Southern Group would help.

We’re gonna stop right there. I am not a lobbyist expert by any stretch, but I’ve had a crash course on it the last few days and this doesn’t seem proper on Ruthie’s part.

We have a law about ex-commissioners lobbying their former boards. Here’s what it says:

“A person who has been elected to any county, municipal, special district, or school district office or appointed superintendent of a school district may not personally represent another person or entity for compensation before the government body or agency of which the person was an officer for a period of 2 years after vacating office.”

That seems clear as a sunny day. Ruthie cannot lobby Citrus County for two years after leaving office. She may say she’s not, but actions suggest otherwise.

Ruthie wasn’t the only Southern Group lobbyist to speak with Citrus County. Laura Boehmer, who coincidentally represents the City of Crystal River, did as well.

Emails show that Ruthie instigated the conversations. On Feb. 18, Boehmer sent an email to Ruthie, asking that she make sure County Administrator Steve Howard reviewed the C.R. 491 request and signed the attestation.

Ruthie to Steve, Feb. 19: “To help expedite a Leadership Fund request, I kindly ask if you could review and sign the attached attestation at your earliest convenience. We understand that Project 491 is a priority for Citrus County and serves as a designated evacuation route established by the State. Please be assured that this request will not impact the existing transportation work plan.”

Ruthie to Steve, Feb. 26: “Please sign the attestation form as soon as possible. That way we can show you the money!”

Howard returned the signed document on March 5, emailing it to Ruthie. The House attestation form requires the administrator to swear the request info is true and accurate. The House requires these signed forms with each budget request.

The form says it should be signed and emailed to the House sponsor. Howard signed it, but in the place where the sponsor’s name would be listed, it has Ruthie’s email address.

I can list other examples, but you get the picture. Former Commissioner Ruthie Schlabach used her Citrus County government connections to secure money for a road project to help her firm’s developer client, whose name isn’t listed in any form I saw.

Bottom line: Ruthie did us no favors. Both Sen. Blaise Ingoglia and Rep. JJ Grow are furious at the county. This whole thing was handled in a very backroom sort of way, and most everyone sees that.

One more thing. That Ruthie blog from February I spiked? Here is the last line:

“I truly wish her success so long as her interests don’t conflict with ours.”

Oops. 

Have a great Thursday, friends.

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