Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, the leading Democrat running for governor in 2010, on Wednesday removed ex-Miami City Commissioner Johnny Winton as a cohost of an upcoming fundraiser.

Winton was suspended from office by Gov. Jeb Bush in 2006 after a drunken scuffle with police. He pleaded guilty to charges of misdemeanor battery and disorderly intoxication.

Winton also weathered ethical questions about partnering with Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and former City Manager Joe Arriola in a $3.1 million real estate deal. He paid a $750 fine and was reprimanded by the Florida Ethics Commission in 2007. He has since kept a low public profile, but his name was listed among 22 cohosts of a Sink fundraiser planned for Monday night at the Miami Beach home of developer Andi Greenwald.

After The Miami Herald asked about Winton, Sink campaign spokeswoman Tara Klimek said he would be removed as a cohost.

''He was added without our approval,'' Klimek said. ``We don't think it's appropriate for someone with that history to cohost an event.''

Klimek said Winton was invited by publicist Seth Gordon, who is cochairing the event with Greenwald and George Lindemann, chairman of the Bass Art Museum's board of trustees. Hosts are encouraged to bring three guests, with a suggested donation of $250 each.

Gordon said Winton hadn't done anything that could embarrass Sink.

Police said Winton was ''loud and abusive'' with American Airlines staff after his flight was canceled and he told police ''go f--- yourselves'' before striking two officers.

''So he mouthed off to a cop,'' Gordon said. ``Tempers flared and people misbehaved, but it was no high crime and misdemeanors.''

Winton could not be reached Wednesday.

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