Scandal Brewing for Tax Collector Randolph Already

Scandal is becoming one of the hottest shows on TV right now, but a real political scandal is brewing in the Tax Collector’s office. Newly elected Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph collected more than $10,000 and had a political employee of his hired before being sworn in on January 8.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Randolph claims Deputy Tax Collector Kelly Goodwin, whose job was on the line with Randolph’s election as Goodwin is a Republican with ambition to run countywide, hired him for a vacant position so he could start collecting a paycheck and paid holidays. That’s right, Randolph was brought on board just in time to collect paid holidays for Christmas/Hanukah and New Year.

Randolph took $10,380 and Andrew Bell, his political operative with no experience, was hired at $39,998. This blatant cronyism and the possibility of coercion on Deputy Goodwin to keep her job raise huge red flags and tax payers should demand more answers.

We do know that Randolph had time to create a new logo with his name on all materials, as taxpayers complained about receiving them as early as December 31. Despite not being sworn in as “Tax Collector,” Randolph was busy collecting a paycheck and pushing his name for political gain.

For someone who already served as an elected official in the state house, Randolph should have known better. Governor Rick Scott or State Attorney Jeff Ashton should launch an investigation into Randolph’s actions and the hiring of Andrew Bell as cronyism. It appears Goodwin agreed to hire and pay Randolph in order to keep her job as well.

Scott Randolph is the man who led the charge for an investigation over the influence text messages may have on County Commissioners. If texting is worth investigating, forcing himself into a high-paying public position before his elected term begins and hiring a political crony to protect his political image in the office are definitely reasons for an investigation.