Bush post raises eyebrows
The former governor has joined the board of a bank whose chief got breaks from him.
By MICHAEL VAN SICKLER & SYDNEY FREEDBERG, Times Staff Writers
Published December 5, 2007
When an Orlando bank appointed former Gov. Jeb Bush to its board last month, it heralded his eight years in the governor's mansion.
Bush would bring "tremendous talent, leadership and vision" to CNL Bancshares Inc., stated a news release quoting its board chairman, James Seneff.
What the release didn't mention was that four years before the appointment, Bush's administration approved a lucrative tax break for a company that Seneff heads.
Bush's office approved $3.1-million in state and local tax refunds to be paid over eight years to CNL Holdings, which has ties to CNL Bancshares. State records show the company has collected $181,875 so far.
Bush's administration also had another tie to Seneff. It championed a massive toll road that would have boosted the land value of property owned by a second company in which Seneff has a leadership role.
Lots more:
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/12/05/State/Bush_post_raises_eyeb.shtml