FDOC A.C. CLARK BUSTED?

To: Kay Lee
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005
Subject: Clark

I just got off the phone with a source in the prison. It seems Frye was at River Junction and ACI today. Looks like the wagons are circling and closing ranks. I didn't know who Bowen was but found out that he is a Major ... last known at ACI but recently moved.

I spoke with FDOC today to ask if there would be a press release about Clark resigning and was told that Clark resigned for personal reasons and no press release was necessary. When I probed about possible wrong doing he said he was unaware of any problems associated with the resignation.

I called the FBI in Jacksonville and asked about a press release. The guy I talked to (who writes the press releases) said he hadn't been asked to write one but would look into it and get back to me ... I haven't heard yet.

I also spoke with Bill Cotterell (the reporter) and Bill is now contacting the Justice Department to check all this out. He promised to keep me informed.

A LOT has changed at River Junction. All of a sudden the new guards (goon squads) are being VERY nice. They are bending over backwards to make sure inmates are treated properly. Up until a few days ago the prisoners didn't have rec for days at a time because of "Softball Games" which caused a lack of staff. They now have full rec time and the yard (which has been closed for months because they were constructing a new one) has been finished almost overnight.

I noticed that you mentioned Al Solomon as the acting head of Region 1. Kay, he's another one of the "good ole boys". If this is really a sting operation I would like to see them ALL taken out. Hopefully one of these SOB's will start singing and Crosby can be taken out as well.

While doing my investigation I found out that Duffee was also arrested last week on an indictment by FDLE. Here's the article:

http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/news/local/12586167.htm

When I mentioned this to FDOC they quickly pointed out that Duffee had NOTHING to do with them, that he reported to DMS. It all comes under Crosby ... state or private prisons ... so I'm trying to tie them together.

Please keep me in the loop and I'll keep you informed of what I find out. I have a couple of guys that are just aching to tell their story's now that Clark is gone.

Thanks again

Former prisons administrator indicted

Lobbyist Alan Duffee charged with fraud

By Bill Cotterell

DEMOCRAT POLITICAL EDITOR

The former manager of the defunct agency that oversaw Florida's five private prisons has been indicted on fraud and money-laundering charges involving nearly $225,000 in state funds.

Prominent lobbyist Alan Duffee declined comment on the six-count indictment announced Wednesday by U.S. Attorney Gregory Miller and Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Guy Tunnell.

Duffee said he could not discuss the situation before meeting with his attorney, Stephen Dobson. Dobson said Wednesday night he would have to study the six-count indictment before commenting.

Duffee, president of The Windsor Group lobbying firm, was executive director of the Correctional Privatization Commission from May of 2002 until June of last year, when the Legislature voted to abolish the five-member panel and put the Department of Management Services in charge of administering its contracts. In a blistering audit unrelated to Duffee, the DMS inspector general last month issued a report saying the state had overpaid two prison-management companies, GEO Group and Corrections Corp. of America, by nearly $13 million - including salaries of guards that didn't exist.
The indictment, which presents only the prosecution side and is not evidence at trial, involved money from a major maintenance-and-repair fund the state required GEO and Corrections Corp. of America to maintain, for replacing or fixing equipment costing more than $5,000 that breaks down at the prisons.

The indictment alleged that Duffee set up a bank account at People's First Bank of Tallahassee in the Correctional Privatization Commission's name - without knowledge of the five commissioners - and made himself the sole signatory on the account. It said he directed the Wachovia Bank in Jacksonville to move $224,972.92 in checks and wire transfers from the repair-and-maintenance fund to the People's First account.

The Wachovia fund was made up of a percentage of monthly payments the Department of Corrections made to the companies operating the privately run prisons. The two companies operate prisons in Bay and Gadsden counties and at Lake City, South Bay and Moore Haven.

The indictment did not allege that the companies, DMS or the Department of Corrections did anything wrong. It said Duffee "did knowingly and willfully devise ... a scheme and artifice to defraud, and to obtain money and property" illegally from the prison-maintenance fund.

It said Duffee converted the money "to his personal use and to the use of others not entitled thereto by making cash withdrawals, paying personal debts, purchasing real and personal property, and otherwise expending these funds for purposes unauthorized and wholly unrelated to the business of the CPC."

It listed three wire transfers totaling $174,972.92 in 2003. The indictment said Duffee also used United Parcel Service to deliver checks totaling $50,000 to the Correctional Privatization Commission account he had set up.

Two other counts said Duffee withdrew cashier's checks from the People's First account for $27,597.93 on May 13, 2003, and for $73,117.51 on May 30 of that year.

In addition to the criminal penalties, which FDLE said could add up to 20 years and fines of $250,000 on all counts, the indictment sought forfeiture of real estate and a car owned by Duffee and recovery of the money.

Contact political editor Bill Cotterell at (850) 671-6545 or bcotterell@tallahassee.com.

WHAT AGENCY ARRESTED AC CLARK?

"I don't know who else could be involved besides the FBI and the FDLE. Hurlburt said possibly the DEA about the steroids, but that, because of the misappropriation of funds, it would fall to his office. He suggests talking to FDLE but Cotterell said that the FDLE said they didn't know anything about it. I wonder what the Fla Attorney Generals office knows.

Surely Clark will not just be allowed to "resign" and get away with all of this. I'm going to check the Clerk of Courts websites to see what I can find. It's not federal but there MIGHT be something there."

We have heard about places like the Starke bar, where the Jacksonville FBI gets drunk with the local prison workers. Is it possible it is the Central FBI in Washington and they didn't tell the locals for this reason?

If you have any information on the arrest of AC Clark, please contact me, Kay Lee

I just want you to be aware that I'm not questioning the ethics of the Jacksonville FBI nor FDLE, but over the years I've received numerous reports of members of the local FBI, FDLE and prison workers drinking together at the local bars. Whatever the investigation turns up, I can only pray it will be the full truth.

Kay Lee

Briefs

Corrections Department under FBI investigation
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/09/14/State/Corrections_Departmen.shtml

By wire services
Published September 14, 2005

TALLAHASSEE - The FBI confirmed Tuesday it is investigating the Florida Department of Corrections, though the nature of the probe is unclear.

FBI agents are working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, said FBI spokesman Jeff Westcott in Jacksonville. He declined to provide details.

"I can confirm that the FBI, along with FDLE, are involved in an investigation that concerns the Department of Corrections," Westcott said.

A high-ranking state prison official, Region I director Allen "A.C." Clark, quit last week without explanation. Clark rose through the ranks under Corrections Secretary James Crosby, who also has declined to discuss why he quit, other than citing "personal reasons."

Gov. Jeb Bush suggested Monday that he knew details but could [sic?] discuss them.

Clark, 40, is a former warden at New River Correctional Institution.

Four current or former Corrections Department employees were charged in February with illegal distribution of steroids. The case involved the Justice Department, FDLE, Clay County Sheriff's Office and federal postal inspectors.

[Last modified September 14, 2005, 02:15:34]

Former prisons administrator indicted

Briefs

Corrections Department under FBI investigation http://www.sptimes.com/2005/09/14/State/Corrections_Departmen.shtml

Corrections Department under FBI investigation
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/09/14/State/Corrections_Departmen.shtml