Tampa's Pay To Play Culture

Beth Leytham is the owner of a successful public relations firm in Tampa but provides much more than just public relations advice. Local and national companies alike have retained her services to influence 

Tampa Bay-area politicians.

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Here is how it works:

The "Go Hillsborough” project

 The Leytham Group, whose only full-time employee is Leytham, secured a $187,500 share of the deal. It was approved by the county commission, including several members to whom Leytham provides free advice or services. What this blog has been posting about this scam. here

Another example,

Records show Buckhorn and his staff kept Leytham close to his political dealings as well as his official city business. In July Buckhorn passed on an opportunity to strike a better deal on the city’s red light camera contract. The camera vendor, American Traffic Solutions, is a client of Leytham. Soon thereafter, the company poured $10,000 into the mayor’s campaign coffer.

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