Ron Books Lobbying Firm Rakes in the Cash from Private Prison Companies
Florida’s lobby firms filed their first quarter results this week and the three-person firm of Ronald L. Book, P.A. came in as one of the highest paid lobbying firms in the State, behind much larger firms Ballard and 200-person firm, Southern Strategy Group. According to the firm’s first quarter report, filed Tuesday, Ron Book’s firm took in $3.4Million for lobbying legislators during the period of January 01, 2018 – March 31, 2018, (source: https://floridalobbyist.gov)
Among his top clients… private, for-profit, prison companies GEO Group and Correct Care Solutions, which runs the Florida Sex Offender Civil Commitment Center. It’s no wonder that in his work for the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust he pushes so hard to lock up sex offenders. It’s also no wonder why his daughter, Senator Lauren Book, sponsors legislation imposing harsher punishment and mandatory minimum sentences for registration violations!
There were a few other interesting connections, Such as Auto Tag Management Group and AJT Media (which owns ‘eTags’ online vehicle registration and renewal) and Florida Association Of Motorist Service Providers Inc.(a/k/a Auto Tag Agency, Inc,) and K.A.S. (a/k/a Tropical Tag Agency). It’s no wonder you see a buckslip to donate to his daughter’s charity, Lauren’s Kids, whenever you renew your vehicle registration in Florida or that she has her own license plate design for purchase.
A lot of this wouldn’t matter if not for the fact that Ron Book’s client roster didn’t also include multiple municipalities, which opens up a lot of self-dealing and conflict of interest.
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Hey, Mr. Book is only following he example of our current commander-in-chief Mr. Trump who owns hotels/resorts all over the place, violates the Emoluments Clause on a daily basis…”The clause says “No Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them [the United States], shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.” So Mr. Book, being able to influence criminal INJUSTICE legislation in FL, is ENABLED. But I fault the people of Florida for being SHEEP. What the hell happened to their BACKBONE? How soon will it be before Mr. Book decides there need to be laws in Florida that govern where any and all Floridians live, work, recreate?
Enochian,
this is not a the proper venue to inject personal politics. When Donald Trumps signs a bill that further infringes on our rights, then he is fair game, this is about those who keep their foot on our neck ( RSO’s), install fear in the general public about RSO’s , and contour the rules make money from it .. just my opinion..
“without the Consent of the Congress”
Ummm…there’s the magic words. Leave Trump alone already. No democrat, hypocrite liberal would do any better for anyone who committed a crime.
Maestro – could you refrain from general name calling? If you want to direct your comments directly at Book feel free – but when you lump a group of people into one category it is very insulting. I happen to be a liberal and I am proud of it. I am not a hypocrite about anything. In fact, I strive to not be. You do not seriously think that there are not hypocrites on both sides? I would like to hear one time what Trump would say about RSOs! And back to FL- the majority of RSO laws that get passed are either across the board or nearly so – so no saving from the republicans there at all – so please – I do not come to this site to see anyone’s divisive closed-minded political rhetoric.
I agree Karen. Here’s the thing, I am neither liberal or conservative and I will not choose the lesser evil. Lets face it, all politicians are liars and fabricate things or blow things waaay out of proportion to get re-elected with the help of people like Teflon Ronny Book (wow just typing that name made my stomach turn), anyway, so it doesn’t matter which party you affiliated with just remember they all have skeletons in their closets.
Old Karen,
very well put, we all have our idea’s and beliefs, I have always identified as a conservative, now now more libertarian, but your correct, i dont care what side of the isle politicians are sitting on, they overwhelming vote for any bill they has Sex Offender in the title. I have already heard President Trump’s opinion of RSO’s and I have felt the consequences of President Obama signing the IML. I don’t see ANY party stepping out to do anything to help right this wrong, It’s not US v. Republicans or US v. Democrats.. it US v. a crooked and rigged political system that will say or do anything to stay in power by keep people in fear. They are not about to give us up, we are the currency they all use to get votes.
We ( RSO’s) need to put aside our political views as Dem’s., Repub’s, etc.. and be here to support each other and call out any and all politicians that write or pass this insane bills
Every state has an ethics committee and every state as investigative reporters that are looking for a great story to follow.
Just as in Colorado where it was found that the person who owned the polygraph company used for registrants was also on the sex offender treatment board, and this was found to be a conflict of interest, so too should this issue with Ron Book be found to be a conflict of interest.
Just takes one person who is willing to do some research, contact some reporters and see what’s uncovered. If everyone of us across the country makes just a little effort to make things right, we can accomplish so much.
Florida Commission on Ethics. We are going to consider sending a complaint.
Wonderful idea!
I think you’ve got the right idea. They can’t ignore a complaint, especially if they know the person/group complaining will encourage the media to become involved. Government does not like to be exposed.
Good thinking!
Great Idea! especially since he is (President I think) of his daughters business opps i meant nonprofit and that site has the SO Stats from the FEDS right on it. so he knows what the reoffending stats are but he spews other stuff like not if but when they re-offend, etc… and I think it’s illegal for a person in his positions to be stating false statements (at least it is in other states not sure about Florida.
Oh, please, please do it! I want to see that scumbag fall and fall hard! He is so hateful. Karma would be so sweet in this instance!!
Have you sent that ethics complaint against Ron Book in yet?
Consider???
I know many of you can not vote – some of you can and your friends and family can. One way to get rid of this corruption is to vote them out! I know many times FAC will tell us that these laws that affect us will get passed unanimously – then they ALL need to go!
Old Karen, I agree 100% that all registered citizens that can vote should and ditto for each member of their family, supportive friends and neighbors.
The big question is who are we going to replace the ousted politicians with? We perhaps should start looking for qualified replacements and help them file for candidacy and on the ballots. Otherwise it very well could be a waste of time, effort and money.
Where would we begin our search for qualified candidates, perhaps there are some among the registrants families or friends who are willing to fight for our cause in the state and federal houses and senates. Let’s not forget about the power of local government as well.
Last year according to the filings, the Crook Book took in $7.2 million per annum…based on this quarterly filing, the bastard could take in $13.2 million based on this quarterly multiple..meaning he is stealing basically a million dollars per month based on the aforemention multiple
..that is sick..
…btw, he took down his website and he does not respond to emails, only emails he knows does he respond
..he is a wimp…all my chef friends are beginning a boycott and will refuse to serve him..let him know never ever to walk in a j.alexanders restaurant ever again..he is a disgrace..even Wawa has told him to.leave..
It’s always sad seeing how many people get rich by spreading hate. There was a study here in Michigan to determine why so many new prisons had been built. It concluded that the primary reason was to provide more local jobs, at the expense of longer prison terms. The pendulum has swung back the last few years, as legislators finally realized that the state budget just couldn’t support so many prisons, and several have been shut down. Money and greed always drives people like Ron Book.
It is truly sad that we have people in power that cannot decide for themselves what is right and wrong
If one guy and his daughter can convince numerous other people to believe lies what kind of people are running the government they all take an oath to protect the people and equally
Hmmm ??? Violation of their oath
Impeachment ???
Nobody believes it. The lawmakers know better. They are just paid
That sounds a lot like racketeering
Definition: Racketeering, often associated with organized crime, is the act of offering of a dishonest service (a “racket”) to solve a problem that wouldn’t otherwise exist without the enterprise offering the service. Racketeering as defined by the RICO Act includes a list of 35 crimes.
So keeping our people homeless is the condition that would not exist…
And
The Racket = Ron Book “contributing to the campaign of politicians” to create laws against sex offenders to keep them from stable housing.
The collateral damage is the loss of jobs and support.