By Peter Whoriskey
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, October 27, 2006

MIAMI -- For months, state Rep. Rafael Arza has ducked accusations that he repeatedly used a racial slur. But last Saturday night, according to authorities, he was caught using the derogatory term for a black person on another legislator's voice mail, and what has been a long-running sideshow here has come to a political climax.

In a rare move, House Democrats vowed this week to walk out unless the prominent Republican legislator resigns or is expelled.

House Republicans, meanwhile, have put an inquiry into Arza's phone messages on the fast track, but it is not known whether there will be enough votes in the GOP-controlled legislature to expel him. Police and state law enforcement officers are also investigating the calls because the recipient of the messages, a fellow House Republican, was allegedly threatened with physical harm.

"We want Mr. Arza to know that there is no road to redemption that leads through the Florida House," said Dan Gelber, the designated House Democratic leader. "He can't simply apologize. Once you tolerate this behavior, you have endorsed it."

In a statement, Arza apologized for the phone message, blaming it in part on drinking. He is expected to be reelected on Nov. 7.

But the scandal represents a dramatic turn for a legislator who was a key ally in Gov. Jeb Bush's education reform drive. Described as a bully by critics, Arza was first reported to have used the term this spring in reference to Miami-Dade schools chief Rudy Crew, an African American, in a discussion on the House floor.

Several top Republicans distanced themselves from Arza this week.

"Opening up wounds like that just doesn't make sense -- it's tragic and it's sad," Bush said.

While praising Arza as a "great partner in education reform," Bush said "he's got problems. He's got to work on his problems. . . . Now I think it's time for him to focus on his own personal issues."

The tortuous intrigue began in April when Crew and others accused Arza of using racial slurs in English and Spanish to refer to him.

The lawmaker denied the allegation.

"I'm shocked by it," Arza told the Miami Herald.

But, in May, Arza stopped proceedings on the House floor to offer a conditional apology and a denial.

"I have never made a single negative or disparaging comment -- public comment -- about Dr. Rudy Crew," he said. "And if I have ever made a statement to anyone of you that you believe would be offensive to Dr. Crew or even racially insensitive, then I apologize."

House members gave him a standing ovation.

But the episode did not end.

Earlier this month, Miami Beach lawmaker Gustavo A. Barreiro (R) filed a written complaint asserting that Arza had repeatedly used the racial epithets in reference to Crew.

The complaint apparently enraged Arza.

Last Saturday night, Barreiro received a profanity-laced tirade on his cellphone. In it, Barreiro said, Arza referred to him using a racial slur, though Barreiro is not of African descent.

Other messages followed from another caller who was with Arza and threatened physical harm, Barreiro said. Barreiro said he is concerned for his family. Miami police now have a copy of the messages.

Barreiro said he does not know why Arza used the racial language again on a recorder, especially since he must have known he was under investigation.

"It sounded like arrogance," Barreiro said. "It was as if he were saying, 'I can say this again and nothing will happen to me.' . . . He's a bully, and somebody had to stand up to him."