Former Florida state Rep. Steve Precourt has declined a month-to-month contract to be the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority's executive director.

The Expressway Authority's board had voted Wednesday to offer Precourt a contract on a month-to-month basis pending the outcome of an investigation into the toll-road agency by State Attorney Jeff Ashton.

Precourt sent this letter to the expressway authority on Friday:

"After consulting with my legal counsel, I’ve decided not to renegotiate or amend any of the terms of the final and binding employment agreement I reached with the Expressway Authority on January 14.  In light of your recent comments about the Board’s self-imposed deadline for me to respond by 5 pm today, it is clear that the Board has repudiated my agreement and terminated my employment effective immediately.  As such, I must respectfully reserve all of my legal rights and claims in this matter."

"I am disappointed that Mr. Precourt has chosen not to join us," said Walter Ketham, the OOCEA's chairman. "We wish him well in his future endeavors."

Ashton had no comment Friday regarding Precourt's decision. He had asked the board to hold off hiring Precourt until he finished his investigation nto claims that certain board members possibly collaborated in secret to oust the previous director, Max Crumit. That would break state Sunshine laws that say authority business can only be talked about in public, such as during an open meeting.

Ketham said the Expressway Authority will continue operating under the transition plan developed by Crumit, who stepped down in September.

The board is expected to discuss its next step in choosing a director at its next meeting, scheduled for Feb. 26.

The Expressway Authority oversees the Beachline Expressway, State Road 408, and the Orange County portions of SR-417 and SR-429.

Precourt had served in the Florida House since 2007, including a term as House Majority Leader, before he resigned earlier in January to head the Expressway Authority.

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