MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse’s wife says he had two glasses of wine the day he crashed, according to her sworn statement.
They were on their way home in separate cars after meeting with political consultant Anthony Pedicini and real estate developer Carlos Beruff.
All three witnesses interviewed have investments in Kruse’s political career.
In fact, Pedicini represents Kruse and three commissioners, according to the Herald Tribune. And if Amanda Ballard unseats Reggie Bellamy in November, the entire Manatee County Commission would be controlled by Pedicini’s clients. Pedicini is based in Tampa.
Kruse’s wife says she thinks sobriety testing could have cleared her husband.
On the day of the crash, the deputy stated multiple times he believed the commissioner was quote “obviously impaired.”