Embattled head of space-tourism venture Odyssey resigns
Tallahassee.com
The head of the Andrews Institute’s space-tourism program resigned Tuesday to prepare his defense against an accusation that he used his job in the Florida’s tourism and trade office to launch a new mission at more than double his state salary.
The departure of Brice Harris as director of defense and aerospace programs at the Gulf Breeze institute comes as Gov. Charlie Crist’s office seeks an Ethics Commission inquiry into how he got the $150,000-a-year post. An aide to Crist said the request will be sent to the commission on Wednesday.
Melinda Miguel, the governor’s inspector general, concluded in a three-month investigation last week that Harris was heavily involved in setting up Project Odyssey and negotiating the director’s $150,000 salary. He resigned his $70,000 post with the state’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development and took the job at Andrews, directing the Odyssey program.
“Brice did submit his resignation to the Andrews-Paulos Research and Education Institute today, and that would be effective immediately,” said Nikki Troxclair, marketing manager for the institute. “My understanding is that he wants to fully dedicate himself to trying to achieve a positive resolution, per the inspector general’s findings.”
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