Just one day after the Florida Commission on Ethics found she violated ethics laws eight times, a status hearing for the criminal case against former Boca Raton Mayor Susan Haynie was held in Palm Beach County Court Friday morning.
Haynie was not there, as she has filed what's called a waiver of appearance, meaning she will only have to show up at a plea hearing or trial.
On Friday, the defense attorney for Haynie, Bruce Zimet, said the Commission on Ethics' findings would not affect their criminal case, adding ethics investigators did "not have all the facts."
The commission found probable cause "to believe she misused her position to conceal a business relationship with the Batmasians and acted to benefit her and her husband's businesses and the businesses of the Batmasians."
He said those facts, which would show why she's innocent, would be shared at trial. A trial date has not been set yet. Zimet said Haynie has no plans to take a plea deal.
Zimet did say Haynie would request a hearing in front of a judge to fight the commission's decision. She faces a $10,000 fine.
Zimet told the judge Friday, they were still compiling evidence to use in trial. The next status hearing is in January.
