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around $ 100,000 to Junior. Junior testified that
Childers had given him a stainless steel "collard-green pot" full of cash a few days after the county closed on the property, which he transferred to a paper bag at his home. He also claimed to have received $ 10,000 from Joe Elliott directly, the day before the vote to buy the property. Wanting to deposit some of the money in a bank, but fearful of the government reporting requirements of depositing cash, he returned $ 40,000 to Childers in exchange for a cashier's check for the same amount. Junior later received several other checks from Childers totaling $ 90,000.
302:
Pensacola. On 8 June 2010, a federal appeals court overturned the bribery conviction, ruling that
Childers' constitutional right to confront his accuser had been violated, as the defense team was not allowed to question Junior on his change of testimony. on June 02. 2011 the 11 Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta reinstated the Bribery Conviction thereby denying the former State Senator from Participating in the State Retirement System.
532:, as commission chairman. He organized a voting bloc with commissioners Willie Junior and Mike Bass that was able to pass any motion over the opposition of Banjanin and Terry Smith. After six county leaders resigned between October '01 and February '02 – county administrator Tom Forrest, assistant administrator Bill Neron, acting administrator Gregg Welstead, county engineer Cindy Anderson, parks and recreation director
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318:, where he met Ruth Adell Johnson. They were married on 21 December 1953. Childers graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1955. He became a math teacher and supplemented his salary with roofing work and door-to-door sales. He capitalized on the sale of trendy items – hula hoops in the 50s, color televisions in the 60s – and also practiced real estate.
501:
Due to the "Eight is Enough" constitutional amendment passed by
Florida voters in 1992, which limited legislators' terms of office to eight consecutive years, Childers' name was not allowed on the ballot in 2000. He considered running for his Senate seat regardless as a write-in candidate, exploiting
301:
Commissioner Willie Junior to help push the purchases of two properties, totaling $ 6.2 million, from
Childers' associates Joe and Georgann Elliott. Childers served nearly three years of a 42-month prison sentence in West Palm Beach and was released on 17 June 2009, after which he relocated away from
548:
State
Attorney Curtis Golden announced on 7 February an investigation into the commission over possible corruption related to the land purchases. In testimony before a grand jury, Childers revealed that he had written around $ 90,000 in checks to Commissioner Junior, but insisted they were "loans".
544:
On 4 October 2001, Commissioner Willie Junior proposed, as an add-on to the commission agenda, to negotiate a purchase price for the
Pensacola Soccer Complex. The motion was approved unanimously. On 1 November, the commission voted 3–2 to use $ 3.9 million in local option sales tax funds to buy the
578:
On April 10, Childers was found guilty of two charges of bribery and unlawful compensation. Willie Junior was found dead under a downtown home's front porch after a neighbor noticed a strange smell. His cause of death never really came to light. In two separate jury trials, Joe and
Georgann Elliot
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The
Pensacola Soccer Complex had been purchased by Joe and Georgann Elliott for $ 3.3 million. The county purchased the property for $ 3.9 million, netting the Elliotts a profit of around $ 561,000. According to the state's allegations, they paid a bribe of $ 200,000 to Childers, who in turn paid
570:
On 28 June, he was convicted on one count of violating
Sunshine Law over a call he and Commissioner Smith made to Supervisor of Elections Bonnie Jones over country redistricting. Meanwhile, Commissioner Junior pleaded no contest to 10 felony charges and one misdemeanor charge relating to misdeeds
349:
Childers was for many years chair of the
General Government Appropriations Committee, which established budgets for most of the state agencies. He was considered a master of so-called "turkey" projects that were tacked onto other bills and sent state funding back to his home district. Some of the
502:
a loophole in the amendment's wording – and even received a concession from election officials that would allow voters to write just the letters "W. D." – but later decided to serve as Escambia County Commissioner for one term, until he could constitutionally reclaim his Senate seat.
455:
from a Pensacola auto dealer. He was called before a grand jury when it was revealed that he owned another piece of property with Fiveash, and he claimed he had not made the "mental connection" between the two properties. The grand jury cleared him of wrongdoing and praised him as "an example to
475:
Everybody says they want us to behave like in church. But the truth is, they like to see a good scrap. The most productive things that happened when I was in the Legislature was when we had the most fights. … If you want to make progress and make changes, you've got to get people's dander
545:
property, and they formally closed on 20 November. On 10 January 2002, Junior made another add-on motion to purchase the former Stalnaker Mazda property for $ 2.3 million, which was approved 3–2. In both votes, Childers and Bass affirmed Junior's motion while Banjanin and Smith opposed.
519:
They told us that it would cost us 5 to 12 percent if we ran those ads. I had that much to spare. I'd do it again. I like tough campaigning. I imagine I could have raised the percentage points by being Mr. Sweet and Clean, but that ain't W.D., and I've got to be
536:, and county attorney David Tucker – many blamed the exodus on Childers' brusque leadership style. It was during this same time frame that Childers, Junior and Bass pushed through two contentious land purchases that would lead to indictments and scandal.
510:
Childers ran for the Escambia County District 1 seat formerly held by Mike Whitehead, who was preparing a campaign to challenge Escambia County Clerk of Court Ernie Lee Magaha. Childers' opponents in the race were Democrat Williemae Stanberry and
524:
After the election, Childers appointed Stanberry to an interim post on the Board of Adjustment. She said there were no grudges between them: "We never had a bad relationship – that's just the way W. D. does politics."
263:– and became known for his eccentric mannerisms and colorful, folksy expressions. Childers was popular in his district for the ample state funding and "turkey" projects he sent home, including $ 12.5 million for the
488:
Third Party Recovery Act, enabling the State of Florida to sue the tobacco industry for the costs of treating illnesses caused by cigarette smoking. The bill was pushed through quickly and signed into law by Governor
447:
He was repeatedly honored by other legislators with Allen Morris Awards: for Most Effective in Debate 1975, '76 and '80; Most Effective in Committee 1978; and Most Effective Member of the Senate, 1979.
493:
before it could attract the attention of the tobacco industry's lobbyists. The legislation ultimately led to a class action lawsuit that yielded a $ 13.2 billion settlement for the State of Florida.
259:
from 1980 to 1982 and as dean from 1988 to 2000. He holds the title of Florida's longest-serving state legislator. He earned the nickname "Banty Rooster" – after the diminutive, swaggering
471:
over a bill nearly resulted in a fight on the Senate floor. Barron later organized a group of legislators that effectively stripped Childers of his power as Senate President.
463:
An argument between Childers (left) and Senator Dempsey Barron (right) nearly comes to blows on the Senate floor. Senator Ed Dunn of Daytona Beach is shown between the two.
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On 30 April, four commissioners were booked into Escambia County Jail on 27 charges, which included bribery, racketeering, and violating the state's
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255:(born November 25, 1933) is a former politician from West Florida who served 30 years in the State Senate, from 1970 to 2000, including a stint as
515:
candidate Teddy Laviano. Despite a commanding lead over both opponents, Childers ran a series of negative ads in the final weeks of the campaign.
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Childers was charged with additional counts of money laundering and bribery on 16 June, but was released from jail on $ 50,000 bond.
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suspended the four indicted commissioners on 1 May 1 and appointed temporary replacements on 10 May. Former
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On 7 June 2001, Childers replaced Tom Banjanin, who was considering a run against U.S. Representative
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314:(then known as Crackers Neck), Wyon Dale Childers attended the Bay County High School and went on to
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other public servants who, having sought the public trust, are asked to show that they deserve it."
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He became embroiled in the soccer complex corruption scandal and was found guilty of violating the
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forced him from the Florida Senate in 2000, Childers ran for the District 1 seat of the
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were acquitted of all charges in December 2002 and April 2004, respectively.
809:"Who's the Man? The Pensacola Area's Top 50 Most Influential and Powerful"
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In 1980 Childers pushed the state legislature to buy land for the
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publisher Cliff Barnhart was tapped to fill the District 1 seat.
692:"Childers: Hula Hoops to political power but jail may be next"
346:, who went on to become a long-serving governor of Florida.
342:
In 1970 Childers ran for the Florida Senate seat vacated by
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that had been committed during his tenure as commissioner.
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local projects that benefited from his influence included:
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On 1 June 1981, an argument between Childers and Senator
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669:"Childers Unlikely Poster Boy for Term Limits"
600:"Eccentric, effective – that's Childers"
144:November 17, 1970 – November 21, 2000
101:November 18, 1980 – November 16, 1982
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994:. Pensacola, FL: Pensacola Independent News
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924:"Ousted: Bush boots 4 Escambia leaders".
271:extension to Gregory Street. Initially a
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367:/Jordan Streets south to Gregory Street
837:"Sen. Childers now Commissioner W.D."
480:In 1993 Childers worked with attorney
747:"Childers welcomes public scrutiny."
598:Pfankuch, Thomas B. (24 April 2011).
7:
1188:People from Okaloosa County, Florida
1163:People from Escambia County, Florida
976:"Junior sticks to story of payoff".
901:"W.D. Childers convicted of bribery"
330:Childers, center, is sworn into the
334:. Future governor and U.S. senator
990:Escobedo, Duwayne (May 18, 2006).
807:Escobedo, Duwayne (14 June 2007).
626:"Longtime Senator Quits Democrats"
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873:Escobedo, Duwayne (18 May 2006).
385:M. C. Blanchard Judicial Building
1153:Presidents of the Florida Senate
671:. Associated Press. 4 March 2000
624:Griffin, Michael (23 Feb 1995).
1173:Florida State University alumni
1095:President of the Florida Senate
257:President of the Florida Senate
89:President of the Florida Senate
850:"Childers replaces Banjanin."
791:"W.D. shaping up for year 2."
428:Establishment of ECUA and PEDC
225:Gail, Jeanna, Karen and Marvel
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899:Kaczor, Bill (9 April 2003).
992:"Joe Elliott's Untold Story"
879:Pensacola Independent Weekly
690:Kaczor, Bill (10 May 2003).
431:Santa Rosa Island Bike Trail
35:Senator W. D. Childers, 1979
952:"Childers Hires New Lawyer"
937:"Bush taps 4 new leaders".
763:"Dempsey Barron dead at 79"
413:Pensacola Historic District
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813:Pensacola Independent News
719:Friends of W.D. Childers.
506:Escambia County Commission
406:Athletics at UWF & PJC
288:Escambia County Commission
253:Wyon Dale "W. D." Childers
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236:Florida State University
1104:N. Curtis Peterson, Jr.
905:The Florida Times-Union
696:The Florida Union-Times
604:The Florida Times-Union
374:north to Alabama border
1158:Florida state senators
1123:from the 1st district
1066:from the 1st district
1038:from the 2nd district
978:Pensacola News Journal
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794:Pensacola News Journal
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562:Pensacola News Journal
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409:T. T. Wentworth Museum
356:Pensacola Civic Center
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265:Pensacola Civic Center
208:Crackers Neck, Florida
122:N. Curtis Peterson Jr.
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453:Big Lagoon State Park
418:Naval Aviation Museum
378:Big Lagoon State Park
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322:Florida Senate career
275:, he switched to the
52:from the 1st district
797:, November 18, 2001.
768:St. Petersburg Times
751:, February 24, 2002.
400:Science building at
332:Florida State Senate
295:Florida Sunshine Law
1183:Florida Republicans
841:, November 8, 2000.
394:Computer center at
16:American politician
1082:Political offices
980:. August 18, 2002.
540:Corruption scandal
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382:Blue Angel Parkway
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217:Ruth Adell Johnson
1178:Florida Democrats
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1129:Succeeded by
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1046:James A. Johnston
1044:Succeeded by
721:"Accomplishments"
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1168:1933 births
556:. Governor
497:Term limits
425:restoration
284:term limits
150:Preceded by
107:Preceded by
69:Preceded by
1142:Categories
1126:2000–2002
1121:Commission
1099:1980–1982
1069:1972–2000
1041:1970–1972
583:References
482:Fred Levin
336:Bob Graham
231:Alma mater
198:1933-11-25
50:Commission
279:in 1995.
140:In office
97:In office
63:2000–2002
59:In office
725:Free WD!
558:Jeb Bush
486:Medicaid
310:Born in
273:Democrat
267:and the
222:Children
390:Century
365:Maxwell
299:bribing
297:and of
998:4 June
962:1 June
910:1 June
884:1 June
823:31 May
774:1 June
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675:1 June
635:1 June
609:31 May
282:After
214:Spouse
372:US 29
361:I-110
269:I-110
1000:2014
964:2011
912:2011
886:2011
825:2011
776:2011
732:2011
703:2011
677:2011
637:2011
611:2011
520:W.D.
192:Born
476:up.
402:PJC
396:UWF
290:.
1144::
954:.
903:.
877:.
859:^
811:.
784:^
765:.
740:^
723:.
711:^
694:.
660:^
628:.
602:.
590:^
240:BS
200:)
1002:.
966:.
914:.
888:.
827:.
778:.
734:.
705:.
679:.
639:.
613:.
242:)
238:(
196:(
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