By Brendan McLaughlin

Photo from St. Pete Times

I felt lucky to get a seat in the single chair at Terri's Old Fashion Barber shop on Twiggs, but a little guilty for beating out an older gentleman who walked in seconds later.  He read his paper quietly until I got up to leave when he said, "I really enjoy your Sunday morning talk show". Only then did I realize I was being flattered by  Tampa's former Mayor, Bill Poe Sr.- a loyal Flashpoint viewer and (in my mind, at that moment) a wonderfully discerning viewer and great American.

Imagine my disappointment in reading about allegations that my biggest fan is accused of  funneling millions of dollars in "dividends" to himself  and his family members when it became clear his eponymous insurance company was going down the drain.

What's not in dispute is the fact that the failure of Poe Financial Group is being paid for by every Florida insurance policy holder in the form of a special assessment. The St. Petersburg Times' account of the fraud allegations against Poe includes interesting details including the fact that Poe lives in a $3.2 million dollar Davis Islands home and is accused of funneling some $140 million dollars to the benefit of his wife, five children and other officers of his companies.

We haven't heard Poe's defense to the lawsuit yet and these are just allegations at this point, but if they prove to be true, I'm putting my next haircut on his tab.