Friday, May 11, 2018

Coffee with Joe Kotvas



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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