UPDATE | Van Ostenbridge reimburses taxpayers almost $1,700. Is that enough to make up for worst ethics breach since vaccinegate?

Audit report reveals commissioner used county credit card to buy treasure trove of voter data

UPDATE, 5 a.m., June 29, 2023 — Under the glare of public and media scrutiny, Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge has reversed course and reimbursed the county almost $1,700 after he used a county credit card buy email addresses and other information about voters in his district. An audit by the Manatee County clerk’s office found that Van…