Goodin: Trip total less than $2K

After announcing he violated state ethics rules two weeks ago, Commissioner Gordon Goodin reported receiving $1,398 from Bill Pullum, a Navarre developer and real estate mogul,

Goodin filed the gift report with the Ethics Commission July 17 regarding a May 2005 trip he took to Clark’s Cay, a small Honduran island owned by the Pullum family.

The Florida Commission on Ethics requires elected officials to disclose all gifts with a value of $100 or more each quarter. Since it’s been four years, Goodin could face sanctions by the commission.

On July 8, Goodin told Navarre Area Board of Realtors’ members that some residents unhappy with the commission’s controversial split decision earlier this year to buy land from Pullum discovered the violation while looking for ways to discredit the purchase. In February, Goodin, Chairman Don Salter and Commissioner Bob Cole voted to buy 92 acres of industrial-zoned property near the intersection of Interstate 10 and State Road 87 for about $3.1 million.

The Ethics Commission could issue a reprimand, fine Goodin as much as $10,000 or possibly even remove him from office, although Goodin said previously he’s been told the maximum penalties are reserved for more serious violations.