Jim Greer, former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF), was arrested at his Oviedo residence and booked into the Seminole County Jail, FDLE Commissioner, Gerald Bailey announced today. Greer, 47, has been indicted on the following charges: one count of organized fraud, one count of money laundering and four counts of grand theft.
FDLE began its investigation in March after receiving information from Attorney General Bill McCollum which indicated possible criminal activity surrounding Mr. Greer and Victory Strategies, LLC. At the beginning of Mr. Greer’s second term as chairman, he appointed Delmar W. Johnson, III as the new Executive Director of the RPOF and soon after appointed him the new RPOF fundraiser. Investigators allege that Mr. Greer told Mr. Johnson that the two of them would take ten percent of all major donor fundraising coming into the RPOF and split it.
As chairman of the RPOF, Mr. Greer’s salary and compensation was established by the Executive Board of the Republican Party of Florida.
In February 2009, Victory Strategies, LLC was formed with Mr. Johnson listed as president/secretary/treasurer and with 40 percent of the shares and Mr. Greer listed with no officer position but with 60 percent of the shares. After forming the company, a fundraising service agreement was signed between RPOF and Victory Strategies, LLC making Victory Strategies, LLC a new vendor for RPOF.
In February 2009, investigators say Mr. Johnson, at the direction of Mr. Greer, opened a bank account for Victory Strategies, LLC with himself as the only signatory on the account. Investigators allege this was done to conceal the flow of money to Greer. Between February and October 2009, the RPOF paid Victory Strategies, LLC a total of $199,254. Of that, Greer was paid $125,161 while keeping his ownership interest hidden. Investigators allege this includes a large amount for services that were never performed.
FDLE said that the investigation is ongoing.
