Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/305631
definition of a "special private gain or loss" isn't exactly crystal-clear to the layman. Your guess is as good as mine. "I have no reason to believe this is going to go anywhere," Lucas tells The Sarasota News Leader — but not because the allegations aren't valid. "I don't trust these people," she says. "They bend the rules." According to Sarasota attorney Morgan Bentley, the chairman of the Commission on Ethics, the process works like this: Virlindia Doss, the commission's executive director, will determine whether the complaint has "legal sufficiency" — i.e., does the complaint actually describe an ethical violation the com- mission is empowered to investigate? If the answer is "yes," commission staff- ers will begin their investigation and return to the commission board to report whether there is probable cause to believe a violation has occurred. If they feel one has, the case will then be made public and it will be con- sidered during a secret hearing. Bentley says the whole process can take anywhere from six months to eight years. Barbetta tells the News Leader he cannot comment on the case. "The state Ethics Commission basically points that out — that things should remain confidential until they have a finding," he says. "I did nothing wrong and I have no comment." He adds that he doesn't know how long the investigation will take, but he is planning to respond next week. Bentley, likewise, cannot comment on the case and he tells the News Leader he hasn't even seen the complaint. In her blog post, Lucas writes that she wants Bentley to "recuse him- self" from the process since he is Barbetta's attorney. While not commenting on Lucas' complaint, Bentley tells the News Leader he would never be involved in any case involving Barbetta. "I wouldn't be in the room." Lucas says the commission informed her that she could end up being liable for attorneys' fees if her complaint goes nowhere, a pros- pect she admits is worrisome. "I don't have a large pot to p*** in," she says. "I'm not getting paid to do this." Even if the commission finds a problem, it could simply ask Barbetta to correct some paperwork, Lucas points out. "People may think that I'm being a naysayer," she says, "but I have no reason to believe this is going to go anywhere, considering how influential Mr. Barbetta's friends are." % Neal Schafers E N H A N C E Y O U R S M I L E . E N H A N C E Y O U R L I F E . For a complimentary consultation call 941.923.5406 To view our extensive smile gallery, visit askdrkoval.com My interest in photography reminded me about how my smile made me unhappy. A childhood accident caused my permanent teeth to come in askew. I had seen how Dr. Koval restored the smile of a friend's father. With Dr. Koval, we discovered I also had cracked fillings and a shifted jaw – all which she corrected. I am 100% satisfied with Dr. Koval's meticulous work and sincere care to make my smile look natural and picture-perfect. Christine Koval, D.M.D. Awarded 20 Gold Medals for Smile Makeovers by the Florida Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Sarasota News Leader May 2, 2014 Page 27