In the early eighties, Joe Kotvas was a well-respected
County Commissioner with dreams of political grandeur. The former Tampa Police
Officer and City Council Member had envisioned a future that led him to the
White House. However, his ambitions were quickly shattered on February 1, 1983
when Kotvas was arrested by the FBI in what is perhaps one of the most infamous
cases of corruption in local government.
Kotvas served 5 years of a 12-year sentence in federal
prison for his part in taking bribes
to secure favorable zoning votes. He has continuously maintained his innocence.
The former County Commissioner has repeatedly declared that he was set
up and framed on bribery and corruption charges as part of a witch hunt
designed to put dozens of prominent people who did business with the government
in prison.
Now at 75 years old, Kotvas is chasing his political dreams
again. He hopes this time around that Hillsborough County residents will read
his book and give him the chance to finish the job the FBI cut short 35 years
ago.
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