Special prosecutor to look into state attorney's race?

Candicate Wes White claims rival Melissa Nelson threatened him

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The race for state attorney -- already one of the most heated in advance of the August primary election -- got more contentious Tuesday when one of the three Republican candidates asked for a special prosecutor to investigate his claim that a second candidate threatened him to try and get him out of the race.

Candidate Wes White is claiming opponent Melissa Nelson threatened to expose some personal problems if he didn’t drop out of the race. He further claimed her campaign said they would pay up to $250,000 on efforts to destroy his reputation.

News4Jax learned Tuesday that White asked current state attorney, Angela Corey -- who White and Nelson are running against -- to ask Gov. Rick Scott to investigate, which she has done.

The three candidates have all been very vocal during debates, commercials and public appearances. None of the three were commenting Tuesday on this accusation.

In an email to Corey, White detailed a meeting he had with Nelson and her staff in April -- before she entered the race -- in which White said, "I was asked to consider withdrawing from the race.  It goes on to say if he did not, they would publish false information regarding his personal and professional character.

White goes on to say that Nelson's advisors told him it would cost $250,000 to destroy his candidacy.

In the email, White said he asked, "Are you willing to burn down my house to become the next state attorney?"   He said her response was, "I will do whatever it takes."

After receiving White's request for a grand Jury investigation, Corey sent a letter to Scott asking for an outside investigation. 

"I must recuse myself and our office from handling this investigation. I hereby request this investigation be reassigned immediately to another judicial circuit."

DOCUMENT: Corey's letter to Gov. Scott

Nelson told News4Jax that White's accusations are baseless, nonsense and desperate moves by White and Corey. Republican activist Suzie Wiles and city of Jacksonville Finance Director Mike Weinstein said they attended that meeting between White and Nelson was didn't witness any of the exchange White described.

"It comes out three months after the incident occurred," News4Jax political analyst Jennifer Carroll said. "It appears to be suspect because Mr. White has not presented any hardcore evidence besides his word against those that may have been in the meeting with him. So his credibility may be shot."

No local attorneys would talk about the case. Former State Attorney Harry Shorstein said the allegations against Nelson are preposterous. 

Tuesday afternoon, the governor's office said it was reviewing Corey's request for a special prosecutor to review the accusations.

The latest controversy comes immediately after St. Pete Polls released its latest survey in the race, showing Corey trailing Nelson by 26 points.

The poll of 821 likely Republican voters in Clay, Duval and Nassau counties contacted by telephone showed 53.3 percent would vote for Nelson, 26.7 percent for Corey and 10.7% for White.


About the Author:

Jim Piggott is the reporter to count on when it comes to city government and how it will affect the community.