Kevin White pleads not guilty to corruption charges, gets free lawyer
By William R. Levesque, Times Staff Writer
Posted: Jun 30, 2011 06:19 AM
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Former Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin White enters the federal courthouse Thursday morning for his arraignment on corruption charges with his lawyer Grady Irvin Jr., left.
[SKIP O'ROURKE | Times]
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TAMPA — Former Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin White pleaded not guilty to federal corruption charges Thursday and told a judge he can't afford to pay for his own attorney.
So U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Wilson named private defense attorney Grady Irvin to defend him at taxpayer expense.
White, 46, was indicted earlier this month on 10 felony charges, including bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud and lying to an FBI agent. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of five to 20 years in prison.
An arraignment for co-defendant George Hondrellis, owner of Tampa City Towing, was postponed another week because he had not yet retained counsel.
The judge set a trial date in August, though that will likely be postponed. White, dressed in a dark pinstriped suit, told a reporter as he left the courtroom, "I have no comment at all."
Irvin said, "We've got a lot of work to do."
The arraignment took all of 10 minutes as Irvin told the judge that White had spent much of Wednesday trying to find a lawyer he could afford. Irvin presented a list of attorneys White had approached and the fees they quoted to take the case.
The judge sealed the record before appointing Irvin.
Judge Wilson asked White directly if he could afford an attorney. White responded: "No, sir, your honor. I cannot."
Had he contacted each of the attorneys on the list presented to the court?
"Yes," White said. "I contacted each one."
Hondrellis faces the same charges as White, a former Tampa police officer and former Tampa City Council member, although only White is charged with lying to the FBI. Both men are free on bail.
U.S. Attorney Robert O'Neill's office says White and his now-deceased father Gerald White accepted $8,000 in bribes and a 2003 Lincoln Navigator last year from three men who sought the favor of the Public Transportation Commission, which White chaired.
The men wanted a permit from the PTC to be put on a lucrative list of towing companies doing work for Tampa police and the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office.
Unknown to White, two of the men worked for the federal government, one as a federal agent and the second as an informant. Hondrellis, federal authorities say, was the third.
White served four years on the County Commission before losing a reelection bid in November, and three years on the City Council before that.
O'Neill said Thursday he will personally try the case.
William R. Levesque can be reached at levesque@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3432.
[Last modified: Jun 30, 2011 11:49 AM]
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Viewing 1 - 27 of 27 comments Oldest First Newest First Top Rated
Realist 0ne Jun 30, 2011 7:38 AM About 7 hours ago A CORRUPT LIBERAL OFFICEHOLDER? SAY IT ISN'T SO.
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Report Abuse 9 8 BobbyOFromDABronx Jun 30, 2011 9:42 AM About 5 hours ago White has NEVER been a Democrat. JUST a bloodsucker. And Artemus is still right. Reply
Report Abuse 3 7 Realist 0ne Jun 30, 2011 9:49 AM About 5 hours ago I UNDERSTAND HOW YOU COULD GET THAT IMPRESSION, GIVEN THAT SLANT DOESN'T ONCE MENTION HIS PARTY AFFILIATION IN THE ARTICLE, BUT OPEN UP YOUR EYES, BE A REALIST, AND START INFORMING YOURSELF. Reply
Report Abuse 6 3 heheheheh Jun 30, 2011 12:32 PM About 2 hours ago Until the SPT expose` I had no idea Democrap White was a ●●●●●●●.child but it's obvious he's a user-- out to get all he could during his career as crooked cop, crooked politician & convicted sexual harasser. He's really a disgrace, especially to his race. Reply
Report Abuse 3 3 heheheheh Jun 30, 2011 12:33 PM About 2 hours ago '.......' above = bas ●●●● child Reply
Report Abuse 1 1 heheheheh Jun 30, 2011 12:34 PM About 2 hours ago '....' above = ta rd Reply
Report Abuse 0 1 Kawliga Jun 30, 2011 12:58 PM About 2 hours ago Take a good look at him. That's what democrats look like. Reply
Report Abuse 4 0 BobbyOFromDABronx Jun 30, 2011 2:09 PM About 39 minutes ago don't worry he hehehe we get most of it: LOL Reply
Report Abuse 0 0 artemus216 Jun 30, 2011 9:12 AM About 5 hours ago right, as if the so-called "conservative" party is any less guilty. you people hanging on to party lines are half the problem in this country. and it doesn't matter which party you're blindly glued to, BOTH are guilty of screwing the citizens, just in different ways.
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Report Abuse 1 19 Retired99 Jun 30, 2011 11:39 AM About 3 hours ago How right you are !! A pox on both their houses. Reply
Report Abuse 0 7 heheheheh Jun 30, 2011 12:37 PM About 2 hours ago right artemus... just think Jim Norman & that corruption of GOP party money that CharLIE Crist, Jim Greer & Bill McCollum are accused of misusing - yet FDLE has refused to investigate, wish I knew why??? Reply
Report Abuse 1 1 BobbyOFromDABronx Jun 30, 2011 9:47 AM About 5 hours ago Mr. Levesque, you are one of the most responsive reporters the Times has. I wonder has anyone looked at the list of folks whom were handed any permits or licenses for these lucrative contracts on White's or Miranda's watch? (ambulance, tow, LIMO, etc..) and why they were awarded them? Or if there are any other problems. I seem to remember some ambulance permits badly awarded back when Miranda was on city council. Just wonder if the same problems still exists and is being overlooked. This current American ambulance bunch appears to be very shifty. I wouldn't want them coming to my house or even driving by.
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Report Abuse 1 3 andywinspear Jun 30, 2011 10:22 AM About 4 hours ago Oh I hope they burn this piece of crap. He is guilty of so much more than this I promise you
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Report Abuse 2 6 Devlin Jun 30, 2011 10:48 AM About 4 hours ago Kevin White is just misunderstood.
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Report Abuse 4 1 Censorshipsucks Jun 30, 2011 12:42 PM About 2 hours ago The only thing misunderstood about Mr. White is how much of a complete POS he is. Reply
Report Abuse 0 1 BobbyOFromDABronx Jun 30, 2011 2:42 PM About 6 minutes ago For instance, why is Kevin White the ONLY rooms to go executive security NOT in prison???? I bet Robert O'Neill knows. I think they get their suits in the same thrift store. Or met over a drug deal. Something like that. Reply
Report Abuse 0 1 LivininParadise Jun 30, 2011 12:51 PM About 2 hours ago There is nothing WHITE about Mr. White Reply
Report Abuse 0 1 BobbyOFromDABronx Jun 30, 2011 2:43 PM About 5 minutes ago PEOPLE: DEVLIN WAS JOKING. I hope. Reply
Report Abuse 0 1 nocheapshots Jun 30, 2011 11:29 AM About 3 hours ago Kevin, ease off the Little Debbie's dude. You can't even button your suit. (You can always tap your campaign money to pay the tailor to let out the jacket a bit).
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Report Abuse 1 6 DCM Jun 30, 2011 12:33 PM About 2 hours ago This is a Cheap Shot, nocheapshots. Reply
Report Abuse 2 1 heheheheh Jun 30, 2011 12:41 PM About 2 hours ago White has done it before, facts are facts, wasn't a cheap shot at all you White-sukking moron Reply
Report Abuse 1 3 JerryEmmonsIsDead Jun 30, 2011 1:02 PM About 1 hour ago This guy was a hog slurping at the public trough. That's why his suit doesn't fit. Reply
Report Abuse 0 2 Jada Jun 30, 2011 11:40 AM About 3 hours ago Of course he did. He will never admit to any thing because for some reason he feels he is above the law IMO.
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Report Abuse 0 5 andywinspear Jun 30, 2011 11:49 AM About 3 hours ago Free lawyer what a joke!!!!! Send his sorry ●●● to jail
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Report Abuse 0 10 Retired99 Jun 30, 2011 11:49 AM About 3 hours ago ....." So U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Wilson named the private defense attorney White hired, Grady Irvin, to defend him at taxpayer expense. " .....
Wait a minute. If ole' Kev hired him, why is he on the taxpayer's dime, Judge ??
Give him a freshman public defender and stop wasting public funds on this s**mbag.
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Report Abuse 0 11 heheheheh Jun 30, 2011 12:44 PM About 2 hours ago White has lots of rental property to sell, equity available to pay atty fees - White must has some real dirt on this judge Reply
Report Abuse 1 2 MAGOOS Jun 30, 2011 11:51 AM About 3 hours ago This corrupt man pleads not guilty as to be expected. His party affiliations have nothing to do with his crimes; his failing as a human being has everything to do with it. Corruption exists everywhere, J Norman and his ilk. Neither of these miscreants can attribute their political opinions to their corruption; White and Norman et.al, use their political positions to feather their own nests and Norman still has a seat in the current legislature.
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Report Abuse 0 7 cdeesnuts Jun 30, 2011 11:51 AM About 3 hours ago Guilty. Next.
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Report Abuse 1 9 jjjhein Jun 30, 2011 11:51 AM About 3 hours ago Pinstripe suits are so popular with thiefs...especially the so-called "white collar" thiefs in government office....gross abusers of the public trust. They should serve life sentences for violating the trust of the suckers...I mean, the voters.
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Report Abuse 0 4 TragicAccident Jun 30, 2011 12:39 PM About 2 hours ago Life sentences at the tax payers expense, no. They should be summarily executed. In the Good Ol' Days it was called treason and it was a capitol offense. Reply
Report Abuse 0 3 BobbyOFromDABronx Jun 30, 2011 2:39 PM About 9 minutes ago Yeah. Just like where they come from: THE MOB. I bet O'Neill where a lot of pinstriped suits. Reply
Report Abuse 0 0 BobbyOFromDABronx Jun 30, 2011 2:40 PM About 8 minutes ago lol I bet Robert O'Neill WEARS a lot of pinstriped suits. Reply
Report Abuse 0 0 TragicAccident Jun 30, 2011 12:08 PM About 2 hours ago Check-out that Jive-Town Bama (White) in that cheap off-the-rack suit, that doesn't even fit his fat greedy azz.
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Report Abuse 1 4 fedup007 Jun 30, 2011 12:23 PM About 2 hours ago Have this FAT AZZ sell his home, his cars, his wife, etc. Why does the innocent tax payers have to pay for this greedy piece of garbage to represent himself?? GUILTY AS CHARGED!!!!
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Report Abuse 1 6 Censorshipsucks Jun 30, 2011 12:41 PM About 2 hours ago +1 to that. If it were anyone else they would have to put on a fire sale, how does this POS get away with it... continually? Reply
Report Abuse 0 1 heheheheh Jun 30, 2011 12:46 PM About 2 hours ago just tells you how corrupt Tampa politics is - Irvin sure makes a good living on the taxpayer dime Reply
Report Abuse 0 1 LivininParadise Jun 30, 2011 12:43 PM About 2 hours ago I agree with RETIRED99...why are we footing the bill for bro' "Grady Irvin". Give him a Freshman PD...or check with JOSE BAEZ, he should be cheap and available soon.
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Report Abuse 0 0 heheheheh Jun 30, 2011 1:17 PM About 1 hour ago tells you how corrupt the judge is Reply
Report Abuse 0 1 BobbyOFromDABronx Jun 30, 2011 2:37 PM About 11 minutes ago YES IT DOES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Reply
Report Abuse 0 1 bfisher Jun 30, 2011 12:53 PM About 2 hours ago the fact that this crook could get elected to the county board tells me the whole board is a joke. we need a better vetting process of our public leaders before they are given the keys to control our tax dollars. this guy made the whole board look slimy
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Report Abuse 0 1 cshepprun Jun 30, 2011 12:54 PM About 2 hours ago Excuse me????? I thought if you couldn't afford an attorney, you were assigned a public attorney. I didn't know all I had to say is that I caled every public attorney, but they were busy and then I could pick a private attorney and have the county pay for it. Good to know!
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Report Abuse 0 1 bfisher Jun 30, 2011 12:54 PM About 2 hours ago --------> If he can afford a suit and sunglasses, he can afford an attorney. not wanting to waste your money on an useless legal defense is not a valid reason to have a court appointed attorney.
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Report Abuse 0 1 Kawliga Jun 30, 2011 12:57 PM About 2 hours ago It's no surprise that he's a democrat. It's sad that he's colored.
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Report Abuse 2 1 bruce-a Jun 30, 2011 1:00 PM About 1 hour ago Who dressed him? A circus clown? Here we go again, paying his lawyers fees! BS!! Not guilty plea reminds me of the movie Blazzing Saddles with little geanny saying "Up yours Ni#@%r", my thoughts exactly. Send him past GO
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Report Abuse 1 2 nollie90 Jun 30, 2011 1:14 PM About 1 hour ago I consider myself 'conservative' in my worldview and actions but am proudly a Libertarian and not a Republican. I vote for whoever the best candidate is regardless what his or her party name is!
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Report Abuse 0 3 Realist 0ne Jun 30, 2011 2:05 PM About 43 minutes ago AREN'T YOU NOBLE. Reply
Report Abuse 1 0 nollie90 Jun 30, 2011 2:19 PM About 29 minutes ago Caps key broken? Reply
Report Abuse 0 1 Realist 0ne Jun 30, 2011 2:33 PM About 15 minutes ago WORKS JUST FINE, THANKS FOR ASKING. Reply
Report Abuse 2 0 LePetomane Jun 30, 2011 2:08 PM About 40 minutes ago Not guilty? He's into the Feds for several steak dinners.
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Report Abuse 0 1 BobbyOFromDABronx Jun 30, 2011 2:23 PM About 25 minutes ago Oh MY GOD they are just going to jack the freakin system. GIVE HIM A FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER. Come ON ... grady gotta do a lot of work. this is giong to be a dog and pony show about jacking the tax payers. END OF STORY. Robert, will you be taking questions from the audience during recesses?? http://truthinjusticefiles.blogspot.com/2011/06/robert-e-oneills-tricks-of-trade-one.html
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Report Abuse 0 BobbyOFromDABronx Jun 30, 2011 2:34 PM About 14 minutes ago http://truthinjusticefiles.blogspot.com/2011/06/united-states-attorney-robert-oneill-as.html
There's a bit of background here on the Kevin White story. What is it with Robert O'Neill and prominent black people?
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Report Abuse 0 1 truth_hurts Jun 30, 2011 2:35 PM About 13 minutes ago the only difference from mr white and all the other politicians is that he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar..they are all corrupt.. got another guy in the news right now for trying to sell obabas seat at his old job..that means obabas came out of that same corrupt office and probably paid for his seat when he got the job himself.. politician = crook!
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Report Abuse 0 1 BobbyOFromDABronx Jun 30, 2011 2:36 PM About 12 minutes ago He spent "most of Wednesday??" Didn't he know about his arraignment?? Come ON Judge Thomas, you are going to ruin your reputation with this can of nuts.
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Report Abuse 0 1 BobbyOFromDABronx Jun 30, 2011 2:45 PM About 3 minutes ago How many billable hours will it take for Grady to explain that it was Gerald White and NOT Kevin White??? Robert O'Neill: SHAME ON YOU.
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Report Abuse 0 1
BobbyOFromDABronx Jun 30, 2011 2:51 PM Less than a minute ago In L2and L3 when I'm not studying I will be spending my time scanning the paper for the biggest ●●●●●●● politician. I will befriend him and give him advice and then when another crook like robert o'neill finally 'busts' him I will go to the federal judge and make my first big nut off the taxpayers. Is that pretty much it in a nutshell, grady??
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