OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — A former Osceola County School Board member has filed a complaint against a current board member, claiming that Jay Wheeler broke a number of state laws and campaign rules.
Long did not seek re-election after his term.
When Tom Long served with Wheeler on the Osceola County School Board, it was clear that the two were at odds.
“Everybody has to follow rules. Some school board members should set an example,” said Long.
Long recently filed an elections complaint against Wheeler, who has served on the board since 2002.
He claims Wheeler used campaign money for personal expenses.
“I know he’s spent considerable funds to update his iPhone and for gas and other sundries. And we’ll let the Election Commission determine that,” Long said.
He claims that Wheeler confused voters with an advertisement sent to them before the election.
“He also sent another mailer out saying he’s a Republican running for a nonpartisan position. (It’s a ) clear violation of Florida statues,” Long said.
In 2011, the commission fined Wheeler $17,000, saying he used political donations for personal expenses.
Wheeler denied any wrongdoing.
He did not want to comment on the current complaint, but gave Channel 9 a statement that read, “Tom Long lives off the oxygen from the attention WFTV gives him.”
He called the complaint a waste of time.
It could be three to six months before the Elections Commission takes action.