gonzo
11-27-2006, 02:51 AM
TAMPA - Ralph Mervine, executive director of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority, resigned Wednesday after a Tampa Tribune investigation found he is listed as the owner of a gay pornographic film production company.
The San Diego-based company, Coast Productions, operates at least two adult Web sites and has an adult Yahoo membership group. All three advertise and display young men, ages 18 to 21, offering photos and video clips of explicit sexual activities.
Coast Productions produces DVDs for sale at $39.95 apiece, as well as monthly Web site memberships to view shorter video clips of young men engaging in sex acts alone or with partners.
Mervine resigned hours after being approached by reporters about the company. He had worked for the authority since November 2004 as interim executive director. The board in July voted to make Mervine's position full time.
He offered his resignation to board Chairman Thomas Gibbs, authority spokesman Mathias Bergendahl said.
"In his resignation, Mr. Mervine says that it is time for the authority to seek new leadership," Bergendahl said. "An appointment of an interim acting executive director will be forthcoming."
The board, Bergendahl said, will hold a special meeting Monday to discuss its search for a new director.
"This is unbelievable. This is unreal," board member Tom Scott said. "I'm just shocked, man. I am shocked."
The issue intensified after Gibbs received a phone call from a reporter about Mervine's links to Coast Productions.
"I didn't know what to say," Gibbs said. "I tracked Ralph down and asked him about it. He didn't want to discuss it. But he said it was just going to go on and on, so he said, 'I'll tender my resignation.'"
Gibbs said he will begin work today on finding someone to replace Mervine. "It's always something," he said.
Mervine refused earlier Wednesday to discuss the company. Tribune reporters made several attempts to talk with him, and he declined all of them until presented with a list of questions that was hand-delivered to his office by reporters.
After about 10 minutes, Mervine went into the lobby to meet with the reporters. When asked whether he was involved with Coast Productions, he said, "If you have anything dealing with the expressway authority, I'll be glad to talk to you."
When pressed with questions about the company, gay pornography and his association with the company, Mervine continued to say he would answer any questions about the expressway authority.
"If there is any relationship with the authority, I can help you," he said. "I'm trying to focus on the expressway authority."
lengthy article continues (http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBDPZEHAUE.html)
The San Diego-based company, Coast Productions, operates at least two adult Web sites and has an adult Yahoo membership group. All three advertise and display young men, ages 18 to 21, offering photos and video clips of explicit sexual activities.
Coast Productions produces DVDs for sale at $39.95 apiece, as well as monthly Web site memberships to view shorter video clips of young men engaging in sex acts alone or with partners.
Mervine resigned hours after being approached by reporters about the company. He had worked for the authority since November 2004 as interim executive director. The board in July voted to make Mervine's position full time.
He offered his resignation to board Chairman Thomas Gibbs, authority spokesman Mathias Bergendahl said.
"In his resignation, Mr. Mervine says that it is time for the authority to seek new leadership," Bergendahl said. "An appointment of an interim acting executive director will be forthcoming."
The board, Bergendahl said, will hold a special meeting Monday to discuss its search for a new director.
"This is unbelievable. This is unreal," board member Tom Scott said. "I'm just shocked, man. I am shocked."
The issue intensified after Gibbs received a phone call from a reporter about Mervine's links to Coast Productions.
"I didn't know what to say," Gibbs said. "I tracked Ralph down and asked him about it. He didn't want to discuss it. But he said it was just going to go on and on, so he said, 'I'll tender my resignation.'"
Gibbs said he will begin work today on finding someone to replace Mervine. "It's always something," he said.
Mervine refused earlier Wednesday to discuss the company. Tribune reporters made several attempts to talk with him, and he declined all of them until presented with a list of questions that was hand-delivered to his office by reporters.
After about 10 minutes, Mervine went into the lobby to meet with the reporters. When asked whether he was involved with Coast Productions, he said, "If you have anything dealing with the expressway authority, I'll be glad to talk to you."
When pressed with questions about the company, gay pornography and his association with the company, Mervine continued to say he would answer any questions about the expressway authority.
"If there is any relationship with the authority, I can help you," he said. "I'm trying to focus on the expressway authority."
lengthy article continues (http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBDPZEHAUE.html)