Associated Press Posted on Tuesday, 01.04.11

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/04/1999527/former-fla-gop-leader-in-court.html

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida who has been charged with funneling money from the party to his personal accounts asked a judge Tuesday to keep private a book proposal that was seized during his arrest.

Jim Greer asked a Florida judge during a hearing to stop state prosecutors from using the 16-page memoir proposal taken from his computer when he was arrested in May on six felonies, including theft, organized fraud and money laundering.

Greer has pleaded not guilty and says he is the victim of right-wing conservatives who turned against Gov. Charlie Crist. The former Gov. Crist picked Greer to head the state party, but Crist defected from the GOP last year to run as an independent for U.S. Senate.

Circuit Judge Marc Lubet said he would issue a ruling after reviewing the proposal.

Greer's attorney, Donald Lykkebak, told the judge that the book proposal was privileged information and that it was only on the computer "by happenstance." Neither Greer nor his attorneys would say after the hearing what exactly was in the proposal.

Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Michael Williams told the judge that he intended to use the material during Greer's trial later this year.

As part of the former GOP chairman's defense, Greer attorney Cheney Mason has said that he will depose newly sworn-in Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, and Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolis, R-Merritt Island.

When asked by the judge Tuesday if he still intended to depose the legislative leaders, Mason said "absolutely."