Freshman Dem defends earmark request while GOP turns up heat

Freshman Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) is defending an earmark request slated for a Florida civil rights group even as Republicans turn up the heat, insisting the group has close ties to the freshman Democrat.

Grayson’s request for $350,000 for the Florida Civil Rights Association (FCRA) was turned down by the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science. But that hasn’t stopped Republicans, eager to take back a Republican-leaning district, from making an issue of his connections to the organization and its controversial president…

But Republicans say the money just as likely would have ended up being misspent. Local media outlets have hammered Grayson for his ties to J. Willie David, a former bail bondsman who heads the organization and has been accused of running it for profit.

The group has been criticized for allegedly charging fees to some low-income people it helps, and it came under fire for requesting a 10 percent cut of a settlement made with the family of a couple killed when a suspect fleeing police hit their car. A judge later denied the claim…

David has become a lightning rod for the group’s controversial practices, and several board members have left and told local media they disagree with his approach of charging for services other groups, like the NAACP and the ACLU, provide for free.

Grayson himself has ties to the organization. According to an investigation by WDBO, an Orlando radio station that first raised questions about the request, Grayson was listed as a member of the Florida Civil Rights Association and as the group’s national legal adviser.

“Yet again, Alan Grayson has embarrassed the working families he represents. While they’re struggling to make ends meet, their congressman continues to generate controversy on a near-daily basis with his penchant for obnoxious behavior, ideological zealotry and unseemly associations,” said National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) spokesman Andy Sere. “Central Floridians are tired of the sideshow and hungry for serious leadership during these serious times.”…

And though Grayson has said he has no relationship with David — despite his involvement in the FCRA as a legal adviser — Republicans have circulated several photographs showing the two men together…

In late May, David used his Twitter account to say he had a meeting with Grayson the following day to talk about immigration reform. A Grayson spokesman said David met with staffers, not with the congressman.

While the NRCC has stayed on the attack, calling questions about the earmark legitimate, other watchdog groups are starting to pay attention.

“Given that the organization believes nothing is free, I doubt they got their earmark for free either,” said Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. “I expect there to be a quid pro quo from a guy who says nothing is free.”

The revelations could be particularly damaging to Grayson, who portrayed himself as a defender of the taxpayer in his 2008 campaign.

“What is Grayson thinking? It is unconscionable,” Sloan said. “Taxpayers deserve an explanation.”…

And Republicans are likely to field a strong candidate against Grayson this year. State House Speaker Larry Cretul (R) was in Washington last week to meet with GOP leaders and told Florida media he is thinking about challenging Grayson.

Other candidates mentioned as potential challengers include state Sen. Andy Gardiner (R), state Rep. Stephen Precourt (R), former House Speaker Daniel Webster (R) and Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty (R)…
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