Emmy-award-winning investigative journalist Mike Deeson has been nominated for another Emmy. This time, Deeson’s has been nominated for his story about the “In God We Trust” specialty license tag.
Several months ago I had the opportunity to bring the “In God We Trust” specialty tag and the “In God We Trust Foundation” to Deeson’s attention. As it turns out the Foundation has received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the sale of the “In God We Trust” specialty tags. By law, 90% of the proceeds from the sale of the tags is to be used for programs that include scholarships for widows and orphans of Florida’s first responders. In fact, of the more than $448,000 in revenue received by the Foundation, less than $10,000 has been used for the approved programs.
When Deeson tracked-down the head of the “In God We Trust” Foundation, Darrell Nunnelley, Nunnelley attacked Deeson and his cameraman. You can see the attack and Deeson’s story here.
It’s funny how things work. Literally within the span of a few seconds I had received a call from a woman named Krista Colquhoun (she’s featured in Deeson’s report) and then a call from Deeson himself.
Krista is the widow of a firefighter in Florida and had seen a television interview I had given to a reporter in Orlando about the corruption of Florida’s specialty tags. Krista had been trying to get assistance from the “In God We Trust” Foundation but had been repeatedly turned away. She was calling to ask for my help in getting her story out.
A few seconds later Deeson called. He was following-up with me about another lead I had given him. So within a few minutes Deeson was in touch with Krista and the story was well on its way to being told.
Sometimes it tempting to become overwhelmed with the amount of corruption I find digging through public records. But it’s encouraging to remember that things have a way of working out and stories have a way of being told.
We should all be thrilled that there are folks like Mike Deeson who will tell those stories and expose the truth. Deeson’s nomination is well-deserved. I just hope the bruises from his on-camera scuffle heal soon.
Congratulations are in order. Good luck !! As well, I happen to loathe those plates, they seemed like a stealth war rising. I’m so sorry for the widow. Where else will help come from? Nauseating. Trying to do all of that and get through the aftermath of her husband’s sad loss. Wow, camera men should have a permit to use the camera in self-defense. Tiring to hear them grabbed and thrown to the ground. Having observed more than my share of judo I’ll say this: you could see it on his face, the intent. What an angry and hideous man. I trust in God and the Universe to give him his due in good time.