BEFORE THE

STATE OF FLORIDA

COMMISSION ON ETHICS

 

 

 

In re ALFRED WELCH,           )

                              )

     Respondent.              )                                   Complaint No. 90-51

                              )

                              )

______________________________)

 

 

 

FINAL ORDER AND PUBLIC REPORT

 

 

 

This matter came before the Commission on Ethics for final action on review of the Recommended Order of the Hearing Officer (a copy of which is attached and incorporated by reference), which recommends that the Commission find that the Respondent violated Section 112.313(6), Florida Statutes.  Counsel for the Respondent and the Commission's Advocate filed a Joint Recommendation of Penalty, wherein they stipulated that they would not argue their exceptions or their responses thereto, nor would the Respondent appeal the Commission's final action, were the Commission to adopt their Joint Recommendation of Penalty.

Having reviewed the Recommended Order, the Joint Recommendation of Penalty, and having heard the arguments of counsel for the Respondent and of the Commission's Advocate, the Commission makes the following findings, conclusions, and recommendation:

 

Findings of Fact

 

The findings of fact set forth in the Recommended Order are approved, adopted, and incorporated herein.

 

Conclusions of Law

 

The Conclusions of Law set forth in the Recommended Order are approved, adopted, and incorporated herein.

 

Recommended Penalty

 


     Having found that the Respondent, Alfred Welch, as Clerk of the Circuit Court for Madison County, Florida, violated Section 112.313(6), Florida Statutes, as described in the Recommended Order, pursuant to Sections 112.317(1) and 112.324(5), Florida Statutes, the Commission on Ethics adopts the Joint Recommendation of Penalty and recommends that the Respondent be publicly censured and reprimanded, and that a civil penalty be imposed upon him in the amount of $8,000.00, which penalty shall be satisfied by forfeiture of one-third of the Respondent's net salary per month for approximately seven months, payable to the State of Florida.

 

ORDERED by the State of Florida Commission on Ethics meeting in public session on January 24, 1992.

 

 

                                 _______________________________

                                 Date Rendered

 

 

                                 _______________________________

                                 Dean Bunch

                                 Chairman

                                 Commission on Ethics

 

 

 

Copies furnished to:

 

     Mr. Lorence Jon Bielby, Attorney for Respondent

     Ms. Virlindia Doss, Commission Advocate

     Ms. Jan Oladell, Complainant