Campaign Controversy in Wakulla County Sheriff’s Race

Campaign Controversy in Wakulla County Sheriff’s Race

Both the Wakulla County Sheriff and one of the men who wants that job are speaking out today about a campaign trail controversy.

It’s a story WCTV first brought to you back in June as some accused candidate Maurice Langston of violating federal campaign laws.

Maurice Langston is running for sheriff in Wakulla County. One citizen filed an official complaint with the Office of Special Counsel, saying Langston violated the Hatch Act. After several attempts to speak to Langston, today he has finally released the following statement.

“I, along with legal counsel, believe I am in compliance with the Hatch Act. I do not want to take the voter’s attention away from the fact that I am running a clean and successful campaign for Sheriff. My intention is to continue to address Public Safety in Wakulla.”

The big question is did Langston travel to Washington, D.C. to lobby for federal funding? Under the Hatch Act, anyone running for partisan office is prohibited from having a job that puts them in charge of federal monies.

Says Sheriff Donny Crum, “Maurice Langston traveled to Washington with me. I was traveling to Washington to talk with other sheriffs, the other three sheriff’s that traveled along with me, to talk to a consultant about the ICE contract.”

“ICE” refers to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

At the time of that trip, Langston was undersheriff for the WCSO. Sheriff Crum said he is well aware of the issues raised by the Hatch Act. The WCSO has asked for an advisory opinion from the Office of Special Counsel.

Crum said he wants to ensure that it’s ‘business as usual’ at the WCSO. He said Langston’s campaign is separate from his responsibilities at the agency. Langston has agreed to meet with Slater in person next week at a time when he is not on duty.