Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/144898
Sarasota News Leader July 19, 2013 Page 22 Problem: Ramirez never donated anything to Fitzgerald, and she "felt someone had stolen her identity," according to the probable cause affidavit filed for Waechter's arrest. The Sheriff's Office was able to pinpoint the prepaid credit card used to make the false donation (a $35 donation was also made to the campaign of Democratic state House candidate Liz Alpert), as well as the Bee Ridge Sweetbay where the card was purchased. Store surveillance footage showed someone resembling Waechter purchasing the card, and the investigating detective also discovered that the donations were made from an IP address affiliated with Waechter's company, RWR Installations. Waechter turned himself in Dec. 14, 2012 and was released on a $1,500 bond. Since being arraigned, Walker has deposed a number of people involved in the case, including Alpert and Ramirez. Ramirez tells the News Leader her deposition lasted only a half-hour and was mostly pro forma. She says she's waiting for the trial to conclude before officially launching her County Commission campaign because she wants to see who else knew about the false donation scheme so she can "avoid them." Lourdes Ramirez addresses the County Commission regarding transfers of development rights. Photo by Norman Schimmel a committee registered at the address of Eric Robinson's CPA firm. Robinson served as local GOP chairman from 2006 to 2008; his wife, Christine, holds a seat on the County Commission. "They're still out there working behind the scenes, as if nothing happened," Ramirez says. Since being arrested, Waechter has resigned from his position on the county's Tourism Development Council and its Board of Zoning Appeals. He also withdrew from his post on the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority. She's also re-filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, which she argues should take civil action against Waechter: "I want to send a clear message that there's an identity theft issue, but there's also a federal Waechter has long been influential in local election violation." GOP politics: He co-chaired the county's BushShe points out that on March 16, Sarasota De- Cheney reelection campaign, and last year he mands Accountability, a political committee supported the campaigns of County Commisregistered at Waechter's home address, donat- sioners Carolyn Mason, Christine Robinson ed $28,000 to Citizens Have Rights in Sarasota, and Charles Hines — all winners. %