A Felonious Mayor?

Deltona is currently in a state of citizen unrest.  In today's DeLand Beacon, Al Everson wrote "A political volcano is erupting in Deltona."

Recently The News-Journal wrote "Deltona: Chaos is the norm."

It's time to stop the madness.

Last week, the following (2) formal complaints were delivered to local and state officials, asking them to uphold the laws that they were elected to honor and protect.

Included with those complaints is what appears to be sufficient evidence to convict Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder of (2) felonies.  If convicted of a felony, Mayor Mulder would be removed from office.

Deltona could then begin a much-needed healing process.

The question is, who will be the one to step up to the plate and uphold the law? 

Sheriff Ben Johnson, State Attorney John Tanner, and you who are reading this now:

Deltona needs you now to stop the madness!

In response to the recently-filed formal complaints

of Mayor Mulder's alleged felony perjuries:

Philip Claypool, Executive Director and General Counsel of

the Florida Commission on Ethics wrote:

"The Commission has no jurisdiction over violations of the criminal laws, such as perjury.

Criminal laws must be enforced by the criminal authorities - the police

or Sheriff's departments and the State Attorney."

But Sheriff Ben Johnson says:

"It would not be appropriate for the Volusia County Sheriff's Office to conduct such an inquiry,

as we are the law enforcement provider for the City of Deltona.

Given the current situation, it could be viewed as some type of retribution or witch hunt."

Sheriff Johnson passed the formal complaints on to the F.D.L.E., but that agency

has already said these are not issues that they should pursue.

State Attorney John Tanner says:

Mr. Tanner also mentioned the Sheriff's Office as

the appropriate agency with which to file the felony perjury complaints.

Despite having copies of the sworn documents containing the allegedly

felonious statements (included below), Mr. Tanner indicated that

he does not feel confident he could win a conviction.

Mr. Tanner went on to say that his department would not likely be able to pursue

the felony charges, and talked about how busy they are with other cases.

But a recent news article highlighted the joint effort of John Tanner's department and the Sheriff's Office to investigate those who tamper with campaign signs - a misdemeanor offense.  They are even offering $500 rewards for tips leading to the arrest of campaign sign-stealers

(both officials are currently campaigning for re-election).

If both tax-payer funded agencies have adequate time and resources to aggressively pursue misdemeanor offenses like campaign-sign-tampering, why can't they pursue the felony offenses of elected officials who lie under oath while being investigated?

Deltona needs somebody to step up to the plate and uphold the law.  NOW.

The Formal Allegations

and Supporting Evidence

Click the link below to view the document:

ALLEGATIONS:

Letter to Sheriff Ben Johnson requesting him to uphold the law in Deltona

Complaint alleging perjury under oath during official proceeding - campaign money

Complaint alleging perjury under oath during official proceeding - Mayoral candidacy requirement

EVIDENCE:

Mulder affidavit swearing he paid campaign expense with campaign check card

Another Mulder affidavit saying he paid campaign expense with campaign check card

Florida Elections Commission investigation findings that no such check card ever existed

Mulder affidavit swearing he did read the required laws

Mulder affidavit swearing he did not read the required laws

Another Mulder affidavit saying he did not read the required laws

Florida Elections Commission findings that Mulder did not read the required laws to become a candidate

Complete unabridged Florida Elections Commission Ruling