Citing conflict, Scott pulls state attorney from Doug Broxson collusion investigation

By Matt Dixon of Politico Florida

Due to a conflict of interest, Scott has removed 1st Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Eddins from an investigation into whether or not the campaign of Rep. Doug Broxson illegally colluded with outside political committees.

Eddins had requested to be removed from the case, citing the fact that he and Broxson belong to the same rotary club and the Broxson is the uncle of one of his employees. The case will now be handled by State Attorney Willie Meggs, who oversees the neighboring 2nd Judicial Circuit and is based in Tallahassee.

The investigation was prompted after a complaint was filed to Eddins office after a [report] on a voicemail message Broxson, of Gulf Breeze, left on fellow House member and primary opponent Mike Hill's cellphone that indicated he was talking to outside groups.

The two are running in a heated primary for Senate District 1, which includes Santa Rosa, Escambia and parts of Okaloosa counties. It is being vacated by Republican Greg Evers, who is running for Congress.

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