Lars hafner biography

The affidavit states that Harner told Porges he did not give Hafner permission to sign on his behalf.

But reached at his Crow's Nest restaurant in Venice on Wednesday, Harner affirmed that he gave Hafner permission to sign routine documents on his behalf on at least two occasions.

He could not recall if that included the grant application but said he would have given him permission to sign that also.

"I stand by my affidavit," Harner said. "Mr. Porges is confused, to be kind."

Porges did not return a call seeking comment.

Harner said he also sometimes asks his restaurant staff to sign documents in his absence.

But legal experts described that as poor practice.

Brenda Patten, a Sarasota attorney who specializes in land-use and local government law, said Hafner appears to act as if he had power of attorney over Harner.

But she said a verbal agreement does not constitute such an agreement, and that even then Hafner should