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'''George Touart''' ([[Wikipedia:IPA chart for English dialects|IPA]]: /ˈtuɑɹ/, born [[1948]]) is the former [[Escambia County Administrator]], serving in that position from [[April 22]], [[2002]] until [[September 6]], [[2007]], when he was replaced by interim administrator [[Bob McLaughlin]].
During his tenure he presided over the Perdido Sports property purchase which was held up because of business relationships Mr. Touart had with some of the owners. The failure Due to disclose these relationships resulted in pressure from the media Mr. Touart's resignation in 2007decided to resign so that the County could move forward without the resultant distraction. In addition, he took office just days after the Governor removed from office of several [[County Commission]]ers, as well as the County's reconstruction efforts following [[Hurricane Ivan]]. Also during his tenure, Mr. Touart brought to Escambia County much needed industry including Navy Federal which is now one of the County's largest employers.
He and his wife [[Barbara Touart|Barbara]] have four children: Christy, Amber, [[Matthew Touart|Matthew]] and Jacob.
He was appointed [[Escambia County Administrator]] on [[April 4]], [[2002]], by a unanimous [[Escambia County Commission]] vote in which he was selected over four other candidates.<ref>"Touart picked to lead Escambia." ''Pensacola News Journal'', April 5, 2002.</ref> He officially took the position on [[April 22]], replacing interim administrator [[Bob Halfhill]], who had served since the resignation of [[Tom Forrest]] on [[December 3]], [[2001]].
==Alleged Controversies==
===Arety's Angels===
In February 2003, Touart's son [[Matthew Touart|Matthew]], 21 at the time, charged nearly $6,000 at local strip club [[Arety's Angels]] to a credit card he had stolen from his father. (Grand theft charges against Matthew were eventually dropped after he completed a "life skills counseling course."<ref>"State drops charges against county administrator's son." ''Pensacola News Journal'', October 15, 2004.</ref>) The club's owner, [[Arety Sievers]], was contacted on Touart's behalf by an investigator working [[Escambia County Sheriff]] [[Ron McNesby]], who asked Sievers to follow up on the illegal use of the credit card. Sievers declined The Strip Club owner refused to forgive refund the chargesmoney despite allowing someone to falsely charge drinks and services from the club.
After an [[October 3, 2003]]<ref>"Arety Sievers on her facebook page"</ref> raid on her club by the [[Pensacola Police Department]], during which two dancers were arrested for illegal body contact with customers, Sievers accused Touart and McNesby of orchestrating the raid in retaliation against her. These charges were not substantiated. <ref>"Lounge owner blasts Touart." ''Pensacola News Journal'', January 9, 2004.</ref> Warrants for the raid, part of a sweep by the Department, were granted following "complaints of inappropriate behavior by dancers."<ref>"Two arrested after sting at local clubs." ''Pensacola News Journal'', October 8, 2003.</ref> The State Attorney's Office concluded on [[January 13]], [[2004]] that police did not selectively target Sievers' club, but "devoted far greater manpower and financing to the Arety's investigation than to the other five strip clubs which could be attributed to complaints and issues with the strip club. ref>"Arety's Angels wasn't unfairly targeted but got most attention, state report says." ''Pensacola News Journal'', January 14, 2004.</ref>
