Thread: FL-Third lawsuit filed against Buchanan

Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008
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Third lawsuit filed against Buchanan
By STACEY EIDSON - seidson@bradenton.com
A third complaint has been filed by a former employee of U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan's car dealership, Sarasota Ford, claiming the company employed at least eight illegal immigrants.

Richard Thomas, a former director of fixed operations at Sarasota Ford, alleges in a lawsuit filed in Sarasota County Circuit Court that Buchanan had illegal immigrants working both at his dealership and at the congressman's home.

"Buchanan had imported them to do work on his house, specifically the rock work and the floors," the lawsuit states. "He provided them sleeping quarters in the office beside the store."

Rep. Vern Buchanan addresses a crowd at a campaign rally at Dolphin Aviation.--photo by Tiffany Tompkins-Condie/ttompkins@bradenton.com
Buy it: Order this photo now Thomas claims he witnessed Buchanan and his attorney, John Tosch, discussing the need for the congressman to "distance himself" from anyone who did not have a green card. Subsequently, Thomas claims that a valued, long-term employee was fired because he did not have a green card.

Mark Ornstein, an attorney representing Buchanan, could not be reached Monday for comment. But during a previous interview, Ornstein said the allegations against the congressman were not true and were "politically motivated." In fact, Ornstein stated he had a copy of the green card issued to the employee that the lawsuit claims illegally worked for the congressman.

The lawsuit also states that during the 2000 presidential campaign, Sarasota Ford made a contribution of $1,000 to George W. Bush's campaign in Thomas' name.

"The $1,000 contribution to G. W. Bush's campaign was taken from (Thomas') check and then added back to his check later," the lawsuit alleges.

After the contribution, Thomas stated he received a "nice signed picture from the president."

Two other former executive of Buchanan's car dealerships have filed lawsuits against the congressman claiming they witnessed fraudulent practices at his dealerships.

Carlo Bell, a former finance director at Venice Nissan Dodge, alleges he was pressured to contribute to Buchanan's 2006 campaign.

In response to Bell's claims, Shelby Curtsinger, the general manager and part-owner of the Venice dealership, issued a statement saying the dealership plans to file for sanctions against Bell.

"These are such false and outrageous claims that Venice Dodge Nissan will be filing for sanctions against Mr. Bell and his attorney for intentionally filing a false and frivolous suit," Curtsinger wrote in his statement.

Stacey Eidson, Herald reporter, can be reached at 708-7908.

http://www.bradenton.com/847/story/818383.html

Now this is explosive information. Let's check on this Congressman and see how he has voted on immigration matters.