A growing number of media organizations is joining a lawsuit filed last week against Gov. Rick Scott and members of the Florida Cabinet over alleged violations of Florida’s Sunshine laws. Ten additional news outlets including the Fort Myers News-Press, the Miami Herald and the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting have added their names to the list of plaintiffs as have Scripps Media and Gannett Co. The case centers on the recent resignation of former Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey.
Although Cabinet members Attorney General Pam Bondi, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater say they were told Bailey resigned voluntarily, Bailey says he was forced to resign last December by a former attorney of Gov. Scott. Bailey also says he resisted unethical requests from the Governor’s office and re-election campaign staff including an order to falsely name the Orange County Clerk of Courts as a target in a criminal investigation. Gov. Scott denies the accusations. Despite calls from numerous sources for an independent investigation, no such action has been taken. We’ll take a closer look at the case.
Guests:
Andrea Mogensen, Sarasota Attorney leading the lawsuit against Gov. Scott and the Florida Cabinet
Barbara Peterson, President of the First Amendment Foundation
Steve Bousquet, Tallahassee Bureau Chief, Tampa Bay Times
