"I run the county," Florida official in Ferrari tells cop in likely attempt to avoid speeding ticket (video)

[pesco]

Originally published at: "I run the county," Florida official in Ferrari tells cop in likely attempt to avoid speeding ticket (video) | Boing Boing

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[outcast]

So my first thought is, how does a county commissioner afford a Ferrari?

[Brainspore]

@pesco

Mullins wrote letters to the judge claiming that he was in a hurry and “was not paying attention to my speed nor the limit,”

That’s not even an attempt at making an excuse, it’s just a recap of the crime itself.

[weekendlites]

Howisit that an elected official can afford a ferrari and a benz?

[anon81034786]

Mullins was driving a 2013 Ferrari convertible sports car when he was pulled over on northbound Interstate 95 at mile marker 287 in Flagler County. Mullins’ Ferrari was traveling 92 mph in a 70-mph zone, according to the citation.

92 mph on I-95 is just keeping up with traffic.

[knoxblox]

@outcast

So my first thought is, how does a county commissioner afford a Ferrari?

@weekendlites

Howisit that an elected official can afford a ferrari and a benz?

[Jesse13927]

It is not uncommon for county commissioners to take home salaries in the hundreds of thousands, just because nobody is even paying attention to how much random officials make.

[philip_elliott]

And a Mercedes!

[Brainspore]

@Jesse13927

It is not uncommon for county commissioners to take home salaries in the hundreds of thousands

A quick Google search brought up an article from March saying commissioners in that county make less than $60K.

Of course it’s also entirely possible that he’s using his position to enrich himself via shady real estate transactions or something.

[Otherbrother]

@Brainspore

That’s not even an attempt at making an excuse, it’s just a recap of the crime itself.

In the actual article it says he was claiming to be on phone calls during both instances, which doesn’t exactly work as a good defense either.

Mullins wrote a letter dated June 6 and filed June 24 in Seminole County Court to the magistrate judge saying that when he was stopped for speeding he had been on a conference call, behind schedule and was not paying attention to his speed.

[gracchus]

Of course, he’s a Republican. This is also likely not the first time this arsehole has pulled out this variation on “do you know who I am?”.

[Surprise_Puma]

Those in authority should be more culpable, not less. Doubled consequences for government officials breaking the law. Quadrupled for those trying to intimidate LEOs into letting it slide.

[Otherbrother]

@Surprise_Puma

Those in authority should be more culpable, not less. Doubled consequences for government officials breaking the law.

Agreed. The one time I received a speeding ticket in my life was for doing 80 in a 65 while driving a state-owned truck. The officer was clearly annoyed (and rightly so) that I was doing that in a government vehicle, so there are a least a few officers out there who do try to hold officials to account.

[anon61221983]

Good question… Betsy, got an answer for us, hun?

Also… no spoilers as I’m not caught up!

[teknocholer]

@weekendlites

Howisit that an elected official can afford a ferrari and a benz?

He gave up avocado toast?

Fiorello - 'Little Tin Box' - original Broadway version

[Amstrad]

@Brainspore

make less than $60K.

Quick research reveals he’s driving what looks to be a 2005 F430 Spider Ferrari… which from the sold auction prices I’m finding goes for about 120-150k these days, though there is an outlier at 220k. So while I agree it’s a hell of a flashy expenditure for a official with the county government, it doesn’t seem like it’s totally out of the guy’s financial reach.

[hecep]

Using his position to avoid getting a speeding ticket. Who does that guy think he is… a state trooper?

[anon94804983]

In cases like these it’s really, “Don’t you know who I think I am?!”

[anon94804983]

@Surprise_Puma

Those in authority should be more culpable, not less. Doubled consequences for government officials breaking the law. Quadrupled for those trying to intimidate LEOs into letting it slide.

[sarc]

something like… the passage of time