Prosecutor will probe Crotty's land deal

Gov. Bush's appointment follows a request by State Attorney Lawson Lamar for an investigation into the Orange mayor's partnership.

Gov. Jeb Bush on Monday evening appointed an outside prosecutor to investigate Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty's lucrative partnership with a real-estate broker whose projects have often come before the county government for approval.

Bush's appointment of southwest Florida prosecutor Stephen B. Russell followed a request by Orange-Osceola State Attorney Lawson Lamar for an investigation of "possible violations" of state law in a one-year investment with broker Daryl Carter in which Crotty made $112,000 between September 2002 and September 2003.

Crotty said he has done nothing wrong and said he hopes the investigation is completed in "as timely a manner as possible."

"People know I have a long history of transparency," he said. "I have a reputation of being forthright."

Facing re-election this fall, Crotty also said, "One would question the timing of a political agenda" that brings a potentially embarrassing investigation "just six months before my election."

Mayor Crotty joined me this morning to discuss the story. Twice I asked him if he'd give the money back? I didn't get a straight answer.