South Florida political digest

Testimony sheds personal light on Broward sheriff

The sworn testimony of Broward Sheriff Scott Israel in his recent ethics case veered into the personal realm a bit.

The sheriff told a state investigator that he cut his head while snorkeling in the Bahamas just before hewas sworn in last year, and he had to get stitches in a bizarre convenience store/ clinic.

He also said he doesn’t drink alcohol, and he doesn’t use computers.

“I knowwe don’t use theword ‘ never’ andwe don’t use theword ‘ always,’” Israel said, “but ... I never get on the computer. I’m not a technological guy.’’

The state Commission on Ethics found probable cause earlier this month that Israel violated state ethics lawin not reporting as a gift a yacht trip Israel, his wife and triplets took with campaign supporter Robert Pereira. The state then dropped the case. The sheriff paid Pereira $ 1,500 for the five- day vacation.

Israel recounted to a state investigator that he split his head open and got stitches while snorkeling during the yacht trip.

He said hewent to a building that was “like a 7- Eleven.’’

The medical provider took off her “7- Eleven house coat and she put on a medical smock and then she turned this thing around and all these cookies and food ... youwere looking at for sale now was bandages and needles,’’ the sheriff said. She gave him an injection, stitched him up, and charged about $ 30 cash.

Dems need dollars

Addressing the Broward Democratic Party’s monthly meeting lastweek in Plantation, party treasurer Diana Pittarelli said it’s a good thing the big, annual fundraising dinner is coming up. ( It’s March15, featuringMSNBC host Ed Schultz.)

“We really do need money. Once I give you this treasurer’s report I think you’re going to agree with me,” she said.

The total in the party’s three accounts: $ 18,006.

Another big quarter forRon Book

Plantation resident Ron Book is once again in the top tier of Florida lobbyists.

His Ronald L. Book PA is among at least four firms that topped $ 1 million in legislative lobbying fees during the final three months of 2013, according to newly filed disclosure reports.

The otherswere Ballard Partners, Capital City Consulting, Ronald L. Book PA and Southern Strategy Group.

Nan Rich again lags in money

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nan Rich ofWeston collected $ 14,423 in campaign contributions in January but got a boost fromthe state Democratic Party, which pitched in about $ 50,000 in in- kind contributions such as staffing and research, according to finance reports filed this month.

A political committee backing Rich, “Citizens for a Progressive Florida,” did not raise any money in January.

Former Gov. Charlie Crist, running for the Democratic nomination for his old job, raised $ 374,767 for his campaign account in January, while a closely tied committee— known as “Charlie Crist for Florida”— raised $ 637,300.

Quick takes

The state’s newly appointed lieutenant governor is on the job, doing what lieutenant governors do. Gov. Rick Scott’s office finally started releasing schedules for Lt. Gov. Carlos LopezCantera, the day after the Tampa Bay Times disclosed Scott’s office had been stalling on making Lopez- Cantera’s whereabouts public. The first public schedule, on Thursday, showed precisely one activity: Symphony of the Americas “Style& Substance luncheon,” Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty Six in Fort Lauderdale.

U. S. Rep. DebbieWasserman Schultz, ofWeston, chairwoman of the DemocraticNational Committee, refers toU. S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R- Fla., as “our tea party senator” in an interview. “Marco Rubio himself has a tough time figuring out exactly where he is. He’s been pretty much aweather vane when he runs into controversy in his own party, on immigration reform especially.”

The ninth annual “ForEverglades” benefit, marking the 20th anniversary of the Everglades Foundation, raised more than $ 2 million lastweekend. Celebrity participants included TV news personality Katie Couric, actor MichaelKeaton, the Zac Brown Band and musician Jimmy Buffett. Partisan politicswas on hold for the event, which includedU. S. Reps. PatrickMurphy, a Democrat, and TomRooney, a Republican.