Above you see the video from my interview with former Coral Springs Mayor Scott Brook. It took place in Brook's law office, where he agreed to answer questions about ethical violations related to a free boat outing he accepted from bribe-paying developers Bruce and Shawn Chait.
The vid tells the story, but here are a few behind-the-scenes notes.
-- Brook's "talking points" for the interview were clear. One was that he'd taken responsibility for his ethical transgression, the other was that the ethical transgression was merely failing to report a gift that had a value of more than $100.
-- The problem with that stance is that Brook, while mayor and a member of the Broward County Planning Council, did more than take an improper boat outing worth over $750; he took it from the Chaits, developers who were counting on his planning council vote for their controversial developments at the time.
-- I asked Brook whether he thought that the vote was improper as well. Incredulously he kept saying there was nothing wrong with the vote. Moreover, he told me that the ethics charge he admitted to had nothing to do with the vote, only his accepatance of a gift of more than $100. But state records show he's wrong about that. Brook admitted that he violated Florida statutes by "accepting a gift from a developer that had an issue before the Broward County Planning Council," according to a stipulated agreement with the ethics commission. Brook voted for the Chaits' development shortly after accepting the boat outing, along with gratis services of the Chaits' captain and free food and drinks.
-- Here's part of the interview that didn't make it to the air that brings more context to his walk-out:
Brook: "I have to conclude the interview because I do have to run."
Norman: "A couple more quick questions."
Brook: "I know but you keep asking me the same question and it's the same answer … I would never take anything for any reason at any time to influence my vote. Never did, never have, never would."
Norman: "But the boat trip was only two weeks before the vote. Doesn't that have the appearance of a quid pro quo?"
Brook: "There was no quid pro quo. I respect the criminal investigation, I respect you being here, and your interrogation of me I don't respect. I've given you an answer."
Norman: "You don't think my questions are fair?"
Brook: "We're concluded."