Florida Gov. Crist says he is surprised, disappointed by ex-state GOP chairman’s arrest

Fla. gov disappointed by ex-GOP chair’s arrest

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Charlie Crist says he’s surprised and disappointed to learn that former Republican Party chairman Jim Greer has been arrested.

Crist said Wednesday he was not questioned by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and he doesn’t think the arrest will hurt his Senate campaign.

Crist hand-picked Greer for the chairmanship after Greer helped him get elected in 2006.

The charges against Greer are expected to be announced later Wednesday. He has been under investigation since an audit found he awarded himself and his executive director a fundraising contract that paid them about $200,000.

He resigned the chairmanship in February under pressure.

Crist is running for Senate as an independent after polls showed he couldn’t win a GOP primary against tea party favorite Marco Rubio.