The Sun Sentinel has published an article about my lawsuit against the Boynton Beach Police Department and my brother Robert’s lawsuit against the City of Boynton Beach. In both instances, the lawsuits deal with institutionalized policies that violate Florida’s Public Records Act.
Although there are some minor factual inaccuracies in the article (anyone who has ever dealt with the media will understand), the article generally reflect the the facts of the litigation.
These cases are the result of a recent FOGWatch audit.
What are the inaccuracies?
The article said that we had sued hundreds of cities and agencies. I don’t think it’s quite that high. I’ve probably filed over a hundred and Robert has probably filed about sixty.
I have no doubt that we will shortly exceed two hundred collectively, but I don’t think we’re there yet.
When are you coming to Pinellas County. I can show you horric violations of the Chapter 119 in writting and with tons of documentation. All in the name of hiding massive police corruption. I will sue them with you!
I was in Pinellas County yesterday. I would be happy to learn more about your experiences with public records issues. Feel free to contact me directly. FOGWatch@me.com.
I will be glad to. Just some of the examples…
Clearwater Police have been harassing me and filing multple false charges against me, lying to SAO’s and having me falsely arrested on several occasions. My Ex is sexually involved with Lt. Crean. (see Tamap Bay Times) I have requested multiple videos from the Clearwater Police main lobby showing some of the harassment taking place. They delayed over three months in responding, then wanted to charge me. I paid for the videos (have proof) and waited but STILL have not received them over a year later. I subpoenaed them and their response was that they were destroyed. I have internal e-mails from Clearwater PD where the records people are asking what to do with the Videos that I have requested. They say they viewed them and can see these officers meeting with my ex, then harassing me. They also state in the emails that these videos are part of my IA compaint against Lt. Crean….On officer responds run it by Crean.. then the videos vanish.
My ex is also sexually invovled with two Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies (one named Paul Martin, see Tampa bay Times and Mike Deeson Channel 10) in both Pinellas county AND Clearwater they refuse to provide me with access to vertually ANYTHING I aks for. I have asked for them in writting, sent copies to the heads of both departments, sent the same requests repeatedly and get very little if anything in response. I of coure quote chapter 119 title and verse but still no records. The departments are both witholding records from me that are damaging to my ex, and these corrupt cops.
However, going through these protracted records requests I have tried to become very familair with Chapter 119 and have some questions…
1. If I pay the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office employees with my tax dollars, and they have a records department staffed with employees that are there to provide records, WHY DO i HAVE TO PAY THEM OUT OF MY POCKET TO DO THEIR JOBS, in essence TWICE. Once when we all pay our taxes and a second time when they try and charge me hundreds of dollars in labor just to allow me to view and inspect these records? And I AM asking JUST to be able to view and inspect the ORIGINALS and copy them MYSELF on my own copy machine that I bring with me! The letter I got from Pinellas Couunty sheriff’s yesterday is asking for 22.5 hours labor at 18.67 an hour to allow me to SEE the records i requested. (some IA files and police reports) These records requests are two months old. Some of my records requests are over a year old and still have not been complied with. when I ask for a record that I know will be damaging to them, they just ignore the repeated requests over and over again.
2. I understand the laws requiring redaction, and even though they have redacted mutiple sections that they have no legal right to, my second question relates to the COST to redact. Both agencies are trying to charge ME to redact records. I have stated I want to view the ORIGINALS. I have stated that the Statutory obligation to redact is one impossed on THEM and not me and they have no right to charge ME for redacting them as much as they would have a right to charge me for the expense when the officer first took the report for him driving out to the call or writing it or filing it the first time. These are THEIR costs and overhead and statutory obligations and not MINE. Do you agree?
3. I have asked about 30 times so far to inspect records at BOTH departments and to date have NEVER been allowed to not even once. I have also filed criminal charges against the employees for violating Chapter 119, and both agencies refuse to take or investigate the criminal charge. I have files IA complaints against BOTH of these agencies employees for not providing me with my records, I have records to prove ALL this. They ignore those requests for IA investigations too. Will you help me file suit?
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The citizens of Boyton Beach would be well served to discontinue their police department and contract with the Sheriff. This is where Tanya Ford was arrested for recording police in public and also Josh Mandel. Both were charged with Felony Eavesdropping for openly recording police activities while being lawfully present. ACLU is working through a whopper lawsuit for Tanya and asking for declaratory and injuntive relief.