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"Florida has a broken system that allows unlimited campaign contributions and it is difficult for the public to follow the money," said Dan Krassner, executive director of the independent ethics watchdog group Integrity Florida. "Politically connected organizations, some corrupt and others legit, are seeking to manipulate public policy for their own benefit." The Florida House speaker, Weatherford -- who has supported banning the storefront operations
-- said that the GOP should consider giving the money back, or donate an equal amount to charity. So far neither party has agreed to do that. Instead, Florida GOP chairman Lenny Curry put out a statement Thursday saying the party was "reviewing the most appropriate options." State campaign records showed that Scott's 2010 election campaign received two checks for $500. Scott said Wednesday that if his campaign accepted any money from those groups connected to the scandal he would donate an equal amount to charity. "We have zero tolerance for this type of criminal activity," said Scott. One check came from one of the companies affiliated with the alleged mastermind, Jacksonville attorney Kelly Mathis. He and other defendants appeared at bail hearings Thursday. His attorney, Mitchell Stone, rejected investigators' claims and said Mathis did nothing illegal. "Mathis is not a ringleader. Mathis was a lawyer for organizations that were trying to legally conduct business," Stone said. "It's a pretty scary day in America if your lawyer is prosecuted for representing your interests." A judge set a $1 million bail for Mathis, who was not expected to be released immediately because his assets were frozen. His attorney said he would ask for another hearing and a lower bond. In North Carolina, Gov. Pat McCrory announced Thursday his campaign has given a homeless charity the amount equal to what he received. Democrats in the state House also said they would donate amounts equal to any contributions received from Burns to charities focused on helping veterans. Records also show a North Carolina law firm the governor worked for prior to taking office lobbied on behalf of Oklahoma-based International Internet Technologies. The firm, Moore & VanAllen, filed paperwork with the state severing its ties with the IIT. IIT owner Chase Egan Burns of Anadarko, Okla., and his wife gave $8,000 to McCrory's campaign in October, according to records. Burns gave another $25,000 to the North Carolina Republican Party and nearly $125,000 to both GOP and Democratic legislators.
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