Charlotte County Commissioner ‘breaking rules’ at Rays games

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla.- Speeding, knocking over cones and nearly hitting major league players. Charlotte County leaders are accused of abusing their status during spring training. That was the allegation brought up at Tuesday’s commission meeting.

“A long time ago I made up my mind that I would not respond to lies and misrepresentations which were clearly made today,” said commissioner Stephen Deutsch.

Deutsch was unwilling to talk to our cameras any more than that about the accusations that he sped through the Charlotte Sports Park players’ lot, ran over cones and demanded a golf cart take him to the entrance.

“In the report it said some of the players actually had to jump out of the way,” said Scott Andrichak, a Charlotte County resident who spoke up the commission meeting.

According to a report compiled by the Rays and Charlotte Sports Park Staff, Deutsch “blew through the entrance” of the parking area without stopping.

The report shows Deutsch has a history of disrespect. In 2012 he was accused of trying to walk in to the Rays’ locker room wearing Red Sox gear and had to be removed.

“We have to be respectful of our relationship with the Rays organization, and though it may be an asset that Charlotte County owns, it’s their home when they’re here in the spring and I think we need to act accordingly,” said commission chairman Bill Truex.