Former aide: New Osceola clerk of court doesn't know how to run court business

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The man who said he trained Osceola County's newly elected clerk of court, Armando Ramirez, said Ramirez hasn't turned on his computer or checked email since taking office in Osceola County.

Former Deputy Clerk Beau Osborne, who was just fired, sat down to talk with Channel 9's Osceola County reporter, Nancy Alvarez.

Osborne and Ramirez were once political opponents. But when Osborne lost in the primaries, he became a central part of Ramirez' team – until Monday.

One day after he was fired from his job as chief of staff, Beau Osborne made some surprising claims about Ramirez.

Osborne is a 28-year law enforcement veteran. He said time working as a court liaison and court deputy gave him the experience he used to train Ramirez.

Ramirez, 78, is now oversees 160 employees and an $8 million budget.

Osborne said he has been setting all policies and procedures since Ramirez took office and started collecting his $128,000 salary.

"What does he do all day?" Alvarez asked Osborne.

"He reads the New York Times," said Osborne.

"The clerk of court of Osceola County spends the day reading the newspaper?" asked Alvarez.

"Yes," said Osborne.

Osborne was also critical of Ramirez's decision to hire his son's girlfriend as his assistant.

"The only thing she is responsible for is checking his email, his hand mail and keeping his calendar," said Osborne.

"How much is she paid?" asked Alvarez.

"$56,000 a year," said Osborne.

"The only time I read the New York Times is during lunch time," Ramirez told Alvarez.

Ramirez said he's still learning the job, which he's had for just over a month.

He insists that he and the people he's hired are qualified.
Alvarez asked him about his computer and checking emails.

"I know how to read my emails. I know how to navigate and how to make searches on the Google," said Ramirez.

Ramirez said Osborne was fired because they have different management styles and Osborne was conducting business behind his back.

Osborne was making $115,000 a year. Ramirez said right now he has no plans to replace him.

WFTV