Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/227385
Sarasota News Leader December 13, 2013 Page 10 The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office identified the prepaid credit card used to make the contribution. The same card was also used to make a $35 donation to Democratic state House candidate Liz Alpert and to give $250 to the Obama reelection fund in Ramirez's name. The Sheriff's Office discovered store surveillance footage that showed Waechter purchasing the card, and it also pinpointed the IP address for the donations as one affiliated with Waechter's company, RWR Installations. Ramirez, uneasy with how the case was proceeding, met with the FBI in late November, according to a press release she sent out Tuesday, Dec. 10. She says the agency told her it was interested in pursuing the case. On Dec. 2, Ramirez met with Brodsky and the assistant state attorney assigned to her case, Brian Iten. They informed her they were purLourdes Ramirez/Contributed photo suing a plea deal for a misdemeanor charge, to which Ramirez objected. When the FBI later Robinson's address, the same Robinson who asked to take over, Brodsky's office rebuffed served as Brodsky's treasurer. the agency. Brodsky told the News Leader he is unaware "I'm a little angry," Ramirez told The Sarasota of any donations Waechter made to his bid for News Leader two days before Waechter's plea office, and he said Waechter in fact worked hearing. She doesn't believe Waechter regrets against him during the Republican primary. his actions, and she said Brodsky's ties to "He was very aligned with my opponent," Waechter have made her question his office's Brodsky added. impartiality. Brodsky also defended the decision to offer a Waechter did in fact donate $250 to Brodsky's plea deal and to turn back the FBI. His office 2012 campaign in June 2011, and his name had been working the case for a year, he pops up on a number of flyers advertising pointed out. Whether or not Waechter regrets fundraisers for the candidate. Waechter also his actions is immaterial. "A plea resolution is has ties to the man who acted as Brodsky's offered in every case," Brodsky pointed out, campaign treasurer, Eric Robinson. This "remorse or no remorse." March, Sarasota Demands Accountability, a political committee registered at Waechter's The agreement he reached with the FBI says address, gave $28,000 to Citizens Have that if any further misdeeds surface, the Rights in Sarasota, a committee registered at agency will be welcome to become involved.