Attorney: Ex-Fla GOP Chairman Jim Greer is innocent

A lawyer for the former head of the Republican Party of Florida said his client will be exonerated once the facts become clear.

Jim Greer was arrested Wednesday, charged with stealing money from the party.

From powerful party chairman to yet another politician accused of corruption, Greer now faces years in prison.

Greer, 47, posted bond late Wednesday afternoon after spending nearly nine hours behind bars.

He hugged his wife, but said nothing as he walked out of the Seminole County Jail. Greer spent the night at his Oviedo home with his family.

Investigators accused Greer of running a scam, bilking more than $125,000 from the GOP while he was state chairman.

He faces felony charges of grand theft, money laundering and organized fraud.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducted an investigation of Greer's business, but Greer's lawyer insisted his client is innocent.

Attorney Damon Chase said the investigation was a "civil matter" that should have never resulted in an arrest.

"This is a money dispute," Chase said. "A contract dispute, because he had the audacity to get into a political argument with the people who run the state of Florida."

Gov. Charlie Crist chose Greer to lead the state Republican Party in 2007.

Greer had campaigned for Crist in Seminole County. The governor stood by Greer until he resigned in February amid reports he was misusing money.

The state GOP's current chairman, John Thrasher, said he feels Crist, who recently left the Republican Party, should share some of the responsibility.

There is sure to be political fallout from Greer's arrest as many Florida politicians try to distance themselves from him.