Man at center of FDLE investigation into Armando Ramirez talks to WFTV

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Channel 9's Kathi Belich spoke at length with the man who's at the center of a criminal investigation into Osceola County Clerk of Court Armando Ramirez.

Channel 9 broke the story Thursday that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating claims that Ramirez offered a supporter a job when he made campaign donations.

On Friday, through his publicly paid information officer, Ramirez lashed back at former supporter Rick Martin, accusing him of harassing people in public office.
 
Martin sat down with Belich and and addressed that accusation.

Martin said he didn't start the FDLE investigation into whether Ramirez promised him a job in exchange for campaign contributions.

"It hurts my feelings that I wasn't the one that created this, and now I'm in a position where I have to come forward and tell the truth and stuff and it's all kind of sad that they're now pointing at me," said Martin.

Ramirez denies he did anything illegal. He had his public information officer email to Channel 9 an injunction ordering Martin to stay away from Orange County School Board Member Kat Gordon, over accusations he threatened her when both worked for the Osceola School District.

"I didn't threaten anybody. I didn't threaten anybody. That just didn't happen," said Martin.

Martin said he's suing over the whole thing.

Ramirez's spokesman put out a written statement today that said, in part, "Mr. Martin has a long history of feuding with Osceola County School District officials." The statement went on to say, "If Mr. Martin read something into a conversation with Mr. Ramirez that wasn't there, then that is on Mr. Martin."

"Based on how he's behaved and the choices he's made, that you can read into what he's saying from there," said Martin.

Martin said he can take whatever Ramirez has to say.

He said he is doing the right thing and is telling FDLE the truth about the job discussions before Ramirez was elected into office.

Previous Story: Osceola County Clerk of the Court being investigated by FDLE

WFTV