Ethics code violated, panel says

A former Margate vice mayor who while in office faced federal bribery charges and was reprimanded for improper use of a city-issued credit card is again facing charges linked to his former position.

The Florida Elections Commission found probable cause that David McLean committed 19 violations of the state’s ethics code.

The commission also found probable cause that his campaign treasurer Michael Natale committed 62 violations.

The possible violations all relate to the November 2012 election.

All but one of the probable violations against McLean stem from allegations that he certified campaign finance reports that he knew were incorrect, false or incomplete.

The other probable cause stems from alleged improper campaign reporting.

Natale, a former North Lauderdale commissioner who works for Broward County’s Water and Wastewater Services, faces possible violations relating to the withdrawal of McLean’s campaign funds and failure to keep campaign financerelated documents.