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Undisclosed: Civil suit, criminal probe collide in Davis’s $15M verdict

A SERIES

Part 5: Damage Control – The Fight Moves to Appeal

Editor’s Note: This is Part 5 in a multi-part series examining the legal battle between the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) and ACSO Sgt. Kevin Davis in a civil trial, the influence of a dual track criminal investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) that allowed itself to be drawn into political and legal crossfire and the attorney who was the central figure in in both the civil and criminal proceedings.

 

GAINESVILLE – Following a major post-trial hearing on July 15, the legal battle between Sgt. Kevin Davis and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) is now poised to enter a new phase: appeal. While Circuit Judge Gloria Walker denied the Sheriff’s motion for new trial and allowed the $15 million verdict to stand, attorneys for ACSO made it clear that the issues at stake are far from resolved.

Several local media outlets previously and inaccurately reported that during a June 10 hearing the Court denied ACSO’s motions to overturn the jury verdict, request a new trial, and reduce the damages award. In reality, the Court held the June 10 hearing solely to decide whether ACSO could amend its post-trial motions to include newly discovered facts – namely, that the separate FDLE criminal investigation introduced in the civil case resulted in no criminal charges and that plaintiff Davis’s attorney, Bobi Frank, was deeply involved in that investigation, including representing multiple witnesses in FDLE’s criminal probe and failed to disclose her involvement during discovery in the civil trial.

Contrasting Cases: When $15 Million Means Something Else

The contrast between Davis’s case and a recent Alachua County jury verdict awarding $17 million to a mother and child severely burned in a 2022 apartment fire could not be more striking. In that case, reported by WCJB on April 11, 2025, the plaintiffs suffered devastating physical injuries – burns covering over 27% of the mother’s body and 8% of her daughter’s. Both required hospitalization and long-term medical treatment. The jury found that the housing provider’s failure to inspect the apartment in violation of federal safety regulations directly led to the explosion.

That jury’s award was based on undeniable physical trauma, ongoing disfigurement, and medical need. By contrast, Davis’s claim was based on emotional distress stemming from a workplace dispute in which he remained on the payroll and was placed on paid administrative leave. He admitted to violating department policies, including failing to wear a body-worn camera and making derogatory social media posts about a superior officer. No medical records, psychological diagnoses, or expert testimony were presented to support his emotional damages.

The evidence showed that Davis remained a full-time employee during the entire period of his so-called “pseudo house arrest.” He continued to receive his salary and benefits and was never stripped of his classification. His emotional distress claim stemmed not from physical injury or public humiliation, but from being temporarily directed to stay home during work hours unless given prior approval – a standard protocol in internal affairs investigations. To some observers, Davis’s complaints bordered on the theatrical, especially when contrasted with the real physical suffering endured by other plaintiffs who received similar monetary verdicts.

A Narrow Ruling, a Broader Dispute

At the July 15 hearing, ACSO’s lead counsel Wes Gay challenged the foundation of the verdict, arguing that it was unsupported by the record and legally flawed. He highlighted what he described as a glaring absence of any custom or policy under federal civil rights law (Monell doctrine), arguing that Davis failed to show how official ACSO policy caused his alleged injury. Judge Walker, however, ruled that ACSO had waived those arguments by not raising them before the verdict form was finalized.

The court also declined to disturb the $15 million in non-economic damages, despite ACSO’s argument that the emotional distress award was excessive and unsubstantiated by medical records or expert testimony. Judge Walker found that the jury had sufficient evidence to support its decision and that the verdict did not shock the judicial conscience.

The jury’s $15 million award was 130 times the original back pay award of $115,724. However, because Judge Walker reduced back pay to $16,457 at the July 15 post-trial hearing, the $15 million award is more than 911 times larger than the back pay award. This is likely to bolster ACSO’s argument on appeal that the $15 million shocks the conscience.

One Win for the Sheriff

The only relief granted to the defense came in the form of a partial reduction of the jury’s award. The court accepted ACSO’s argument that the jury’s back pay award had improperly included front pay, a remedy reserved to the court. Based on the Plaintiff’s own expert testimony, Judge Walker reduced Davis’s back pay award from $115,724 to $16,457.

While the July 15 post-trial hearing was largely a victory for the Plaintiff, the ruling sets up a clean path for appellate review. ACSO now faces the choice of whether to appeal the court’s denial of a directed verdict, a new trial, and the damages award.

The Heart of the Matter

The July 15 hearing revealed the depth of ACSO’s legal strategy. Defense counsel argued that Davis’s retaliation claim failed as a matter of law, citing long gaps in time between alleged complaints and subsequent employment decisions. They argued that many of the challenged actions – including a failed transfer, reprimands, and suspension – were either standard law enforcement procedures or based on Davis’s own admitted conduct.

Davis was never demoted, never docked a day of pay, and never placed in a position beneath his classification. And yet, the jury awarded him $15 million – a sum 911 times greater than the actual back pay Judge Walker allowed. That staggering disparity may become central to ACSO’s appeal.

ACSO argued that evidence related to an FDLE criminal investigation – instigated by Davis’s attorney Bobi Frank on the same day Davis’s civil lawsuit was filed – was allowed at trial without the jury ever being informed that the criminal case had been closed without charges. Gay contended this planted a false image of criminality around ACSO leadership that unfairly influenced the jury.

Frank’s involvement continued to raise red flags. As outlined in earlier installments, she represented multiple FDLE witnesses, conducted interviews at her own law office, and failed to disclose the immunity deals granted by FDLE to those witnesses – facts never presented to the civil trial jury.

Davis’s legal team insisted in pre-trial motions that the FDLE investigation was relevant and could be presented to the jury. Despite ACSO’s repeated objections, Judge Walker permitted references to the FDLE investigation at trial. However, new evidence – including the revelation that Frank had insider knowledge of the FDLE inquiry and likely knew its criminal allegations lacked merit – lends credibility to ACSO’s long-standing concern: that Davis’s team strategically used references to the criminal investigation to inflame the civil trial jury and tip the scales in their favor.

A Look Back at This Series

Throughout this five-part series, Alachua County Today has uncovered critical issues that may now inform the appellate court’s review:

In Part 1, we revealed that Davis’s attorney Bobi Frank initiated the FDLE criminal investigation on the same day Davis’s civil suit was filed – an extraordinary dual track that was never explained to the jury.

In Part 2, we reported that key witness for Davis, former ACSO Captain Brandon Kutner, received immunity from FDLE in the criminal investigation before admitting to secretly monitoring a conversation between Frank and another client. The jury was never told about his immunity.

In Part 3, we examined how Frank shaped media narratives, directed FDLE interviews at her own law office, and crafted a public image of dysfunction at ACSO – all while representing most of the witnesses granted immunity by FDLE.

In Part 4, we analyzed FDLE’s final report and State Attorney Durrett’s findings. Despite months of speculation, FDLE substantiated only two claims – both ultimately rejected for prosecution. Dozens of other allegations either lacked evidence or were unrelated to Davis’s case.

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Undisclosed: Civil suit, criminal probe collide in Davis’s $15M verdict

A SERIES

Part 4: What the jury never saw – the allegations that collapsed

Editor’s Note: This is Part 4 in a multi-part series examining the legal battle between the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) and ACSO Sgt. Kevin Davis.

 

GAINESVILLE – In a civil trial that ended with a $15 million verdict against the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), the jury heard evidence framed around the existence of a separate criminal investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). But what they never heard – because much of it was excluded, undisclosed, or developed too late – was that many of the underlying allegations in the criminal investigation collapsed under scrutiny.

 

The Only Two FDLE Findings

According to FDLE’s final investigative summary, only two allegations formed the basis of potential criminal findings:

  1. That former ACSO Captain Brandon Kutner unlawfully monitored privileged communications under the direction of ACSO leadership, a claim based solely on Kutner’s own testimony.
  2. That a document from an internal affairs investigation involving Sgt. Kevin Davis was concealed or destroyed – an allegation FDLE said was corroborated by testimony from two employees.

However, in February 2025, State Attorney John Durrett declined to prosecute either allegation in the criminal investigation. In a letter to FDLE, Durrett wrote that the interception charge was “based entirely on the immunized testimony of a singular witness.” Regarding the document destruction claim, Durrett stated there was “nothing contained in what was received and reviewed implicating Mr. Watson” in such a decision. In both cases, the State Attorney found the evidence too weak to support prosecution.

Beyond those two rejected findings, the remaining dozens of allegations – spanning more than 60 pages of FDLE’s report – either lacked evidence, were disproven, or were found to involve no criminal conduct. And yet, these unfounded allegations helped fuel a media and legal frenzy that cast Sheriff Watson as a corrupt actor – without the facts to support it.

Among the unproven or discredited rumors and speculations widely circulated:

  • The Dealership Accusation: Public rumor suggested Sheriff Watson had steered vehicle purchases to a local dealership employing his son. However, FDLE records contain no findings validating the claim. In fact, there is no evidence that any such purchases occurred during Watson’s tenure.
  • Per Diem Abuse: Concerns circulated that Watson abused per diem reimbursements. Yet the FDLE report includes no evidence that Watson ever requested per diem during his time in office. This accusation, widely repeated, appears to have no basis in fact.
  • Personnel File Snooping: Allegations that Watson improperly accessed employee personnel files were investigated but found to be unsupported. No criminal conduct was identified.
  • Favoritism and Cronyism: Claims of racially biased hiring and promotions – central to the reverse discrimination narrative in the civil suit– were reviewed but not substantiated as criminal. FDLE concluded these were administrative, not unlawful.

 

A Long History of Litigation

Notably, Sgt. Kevin Davis had previously sued the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office – including then-Sheriff Sadie Darnell. That earlier case alleged First Amendment retaliation after Davis was passed over for opportunities following a letter he wrote to the editor of The Gainesville Sun defending another deputy. The lawsuit, which was filed in 2019, was later voluntarily dismissed by Davis.

Sources within ACSO suggest Davis’s repeated failures to advance were not because of his race or political beliefs – but because he was perceived internally as a habitual litigator and workplace disruptor. His personnel file reflected patterns that cast doubt on the sincerity of his later discrimination claims.

 

The Witch Hunt Framework

What emerges from FDLE’s records isn’t just a lack of evidence – it’s a pattern of overreach. The allegations were wide-ranging, overlapping, and often contradictory. And nearly all of them led back to a small circle of individuals: a handful of disgruntled employees, an attorney with a stake in both the civil and criminal outcomes, and a state investigative agency that allowed itself to be drawn into a political and legal crossfire.

Attorney Bobi Frank wasn’t merely representing clients; she was crafting the narrative. It was Frank who requested the FDLE investigation the same day Davis’s civil lawsuit was filed. It was Frank who appeared with or represented at least eight of the key witnesses in the FDLE investigation, many of whom testified in the civil trial as well. It was Frank whose own law office served as the venue for early FDLE interviews. And it was Frank who became the central figure in the very allegations that eventually collapsed – illegally eavesdropping or recording conversations.

FDLE, whether knowingly or not, became the tool. The agency conducted dozens of interviews, collected documents, and issued subpoenas – all of which gave the appearance of serious criminal inquiry. But the final result was paper-thin. The only potential charges – both rejected – rested on the word of immunized witnesses, including one who admitted to illegally monitoring his own attorney.

 

What Was Left Unsaid

Despite this, jurors heard testimony about an “ongoing criminal investigation” – but never learned that the only two potential charges were ultimately rejected, and that most of the other claims had been discredited or were irrelevant to Davis’s discrimination case.

  • Equally troubling, they were never informed that:
  • Early FDLE witnesses were granted immunity before speaking with investigators;
  • Those witnesses were represented by the same attorney, Bobi Frank, who also filed several of the civil claims;
  • Several interviews occurred at Frank’s own law office, where she was present – despite the conflict of interest such dual roles might pose.

 

A Narrative Untethered from Fact

The narrative presented in and outside the courtroom created the perception of a scandal-plagued agency. But FDLE’s own final report told a far more mundane story – one where explosive accusations lacked corroboration, and the most serious claims could not meet even the lowest burden of proof.

Nevertheless, local media – largely fueled by rampant speculation – assisted in crafting a false narrative.

 

Post-Trial Fallout

Armed with Durrett’s letter and the full FDLE file, ACSO asked the court to amend its post-trial motions to include this new evidence. The court denied the request. As a result, the motion for new trial – set for July 15 – must proceed without the addition of the FDLE reports and Durrett’s letter, which reveal the collapse of the criminal case.

The jury never saw FDLE’s actual findings. They never learned that most allegations were baseless. And they never heard that immunity agreements shielded central witnesses from accountability.

 

Next in Part 5: Damage Control

As ACSO prepares its final push for a new trial, we examine the ripple effects of the Davis verdict.

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Undisclosed: Civil suit, criminal probe collide in Davis’s $15M verdict

A SERIES

Part 3: A crisis manufactured?

Editor’s Note: This is Part 3 in a multi-part series examining the legal battle between the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) and ACSO Sgt. Kevin Davis.

GAINESVILLE – In the aftermath of the $15 million verdict against the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), one question looms larger with each new revelation: Was the public narrative shaped by something more than facts? Over the course of nearly two years, a succession of lawsuits, employee complaints, and media coverage created an image of dysfunction and misconduct inside Sheriff Clovis Watson’s administration. But a closer look raises an unsettling possibility – that the Sheriff was not just a defendant in court, but rather a target in a coordinated campaign.

In early 2023, Kevin Davis filed a reverse discrimination civil lawsuit against Watson, alleging he had been repeatedly passed over for promotion because he is white. On the very same day the civil lawsuit was filed, Davis’s attorney, Bobi Frank, contacted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) in a bid to have that agency launch a criminal investigation targeting Watson and his administration. In the following months, Frank’s clientele grew to include not just Davis, but also numerous other ACSO employees who either sued the Sheriff or became key witnesses in both civil and criminal proceedings.

Nearly all of those individuals were granted immunity in the FDLE criminal probe initiated at Frank’s request. But none of that context ever reached the public or the jury.

 

Litigation or Strategy?

From an outside perspective, the sheer volume of legal action against Watson created an unmistakable impression. Davis sued. Capt. Rebecca Butscher sued. Sgt. Frank Williams sued. Each lawsuit was fodder for a hungry media that resulted in a dog and pony show through traditional and online media, often with minimal pushback from the Sheriff’s Office, which cited ongoing litigation as the reason for silence.

Media outlets, including local TV stations and regional newspapers, whether wittingly or not, began framing the Sheriff’s Office as a troubled agency beset by scandals and legal defeats. In one article, published in The Gainesville Sun in June 2023, attorney Bobi Frank claimed Watson rescinded disciplinary actions against officers not out of fairness, but to avoid further exposure of unlawful behavior. That assertion was given prominent placement, while Watson’s own statement explaining his actions received lesser placement near the bottom.

 

The Media Echo Chamber

What many of the stories published at the time failed to disclose was that many of the individuals now cast as victims had been represented by Frank – the same attorney who had sought the FDLE criminal investigation underpinning their claims. Nor did the coverage ever explore the broader implications of granting immunity to key witnesses or the concerns that Frank had simultaneously brought civil claims while using a state agency to investigate so-called criminal acts.

Meanwhile, Frank’s involvement with the criminal investigation was shielded from the public and jury’s view. And the media did not report that the State Attorney for the Third Circuit, John Durrett determined that it was not Watson or his administration who acted illegally, but rather, it was Frank’s own client.

Even the $15 million civil jury verdict for Davis was reported without key context: defendant Watson was black, plaintiff Davis was white and the jury was all white. For a case grounded in claims of racial discrimination, the absence of this detail from some mainstream coverage was striking. It left the public with the impression that a grave injustice had occurred – without raising the possibility that public perception itself had been manipulated. It was also clear that negative attention directed to ACSO was exacerbated by social media comments.

 

Controlled Narrative, Controlled Venue

Adding to the concern is how FDLE’s investigation played out. According to records, the agency conducted several witness interviews at Frank’s law office – a highly unusual practice that raises questions about independence and influence. At least one witness, former ACSO Capt. Brandon Kutner, admitted to secretly recording another meeting involving Frank and another one of her clients. Kutner did not speak to FDLE on the record until after he was granted immunity by the State Attorney’s Office.

Frank’s use of her law office as the location for multiple FDLE interviews – while simultaneously representing many of the same individuals – suggests that there may have been undue influence over the flow of information to FDLE. These circumstances raise legitimate concerns about whether the investigation was shaped by an attorney with a personal stake in its outcome.

 

The Courtroom Battle Over Optics and Scope

Pretrial motions in Davis’s civil trial provide additional insight into how each side attempted to shape the courtroom environment. Frank filed a motion requesting that ACSO deputies be prohibited from wearing their duty firearms while testifying. The defense opposed it, arguing that deputies appearing in uniform, sidearm included, was standard practice. The court sided with the defense, but the motion underscored Frank’s efforts to influence how the jury would perceive law enforcement witnesses.

On the other side, the defense filed a motion seeking to block the introduction of any evidence or testimony related to the FDLE criminal investigation. The concern was that introducing references to an open criminal probe – requested by plaintiff Davis’s counsel – would unfairly suggest wrongdoing where no charges had been filed.

At the hearing, Frank argued that the FDLE investigation was highly relevant and should not be excluded. Judge Gloria Walker ultimately denied the defense’s motion, allowing testimony about the investigation, even though FDLE’s probe was still ongoing and would later conclude without criminal charges.

This is particularly significant given the nature of Davis’s lawsuit. His civil complaint centered on allegations of reverse racial discrimination and retaliation – not illegal recordings or other alleged crimes that were of interest to FDLE. Yet FDLE’s investigation only resulted in two referred charges, both related to alleged unlawful recordings. Neither of those involved Davis directly, and both were ultimately declined by State Attorney Durrett.

 

A Verdict Built on Air?

Currently, with ACSO still fighting to vacate the verdict, the stakes could not be higher. A case that began with a disputed promotion has evolved into a test of the justice system itself. Was the lawsuit a standalone complaint? Or was it the first move in a broader campaign to dismantle an administration through legal pressure and media manipulation?

The legal record may never answer that question. But the sequence of events – and the gaps in what the public was allowed to know – deserve closer scrutiny.

 

Next in Part 4: What the Jury Never Saw

Testimony, motions, and exhibits told only part of the story. In Part 4, we examine the critical facts that never reached the jury — including immunity deals, ethical blind spots, and courtroom decisions that shaped what could and could not be revealed. If the jury had the full picture, would the verdict have changed?

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Undisclosed: Civil suit, criminal probe collide in Davis’s $15M verdict

A SERIES

Part 2: The immunity nobody mentioned

Editor’s Note: This is Part 2 in a multi-part series examining the legal battle between the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) and ACSO Sgt. Kevin Davis.

 Sidebar

TIMELINE: Behind the Verdict

  • Kutner secretly monitors Frank during a conversation with another client, ACSO employee David Hardy.

Feb. 15, 2023

  • Kevin Davis files a civil lawsuit alleging reverse discrimination and retaliation.
  • The same day, Davis’s attorney Bobi J. Frank contacts FDLE requesting a criminal investigation into ACSO leadership.

March–May 2023

  • FDLE begins interviewing witnesses—at Frank’s own law office.
  • Frank appears on behalf of at least eight FDLE witnesses, including retired Capt. Brandon Kutner.

May 2023

  • Kutner admits to the illegal monitoring.
  • FDLE interview notes confirm Kutner received immunity from prosecution before testifying.
  • None of this is disclosed to the defense prior to or during Davis’s civil trial.

Feb. 7, 2025

  • Jury awards Davis $15 million.
  • Jury is not informed of Kutner’s immunity nor the collapse of the FDLE criminal case.

Feb. 19, 2025

  • State Attorney John Durrett issues letter confirming no charges filed in the FDLE probe.

April 2025

  • ACSO obtains Durrett’s letter and FDLE case materials.
  • Files motion to amend post-trial filings to include newly discovered evidence.

June 2025

  • Court denies ACSO’s request to amend.
  • Post-trial hearing limited to arguments in ACSO’s original motion to set aside and overturn jury verdict.

July 2025

  • Post-trial motions to be heard for ACSO request to overturn verdict, reduce $15M award amount.

 

Staff Report

Alachua County Today

GAINESVILLE – In this installment, newly uncovered records reveal how a $15 million civil verdict may have been influenced by undisclosed witness immunity, a secret monitoring, and overlapping legal strategies between civil and criminal proceedings.

A Key Witness with a Hidden Past

Central to the controversy is retired ACSO Capt. Brandon Kutner, whose testimony supported Davis’s retaliation claims but whose behind-the-scenes legal maneuvers – including an immunity deal and a covert monitoring of his own attorney – were never shared with the jury. As the sheriff’s office seeks a new trial, the case raises serious questions about due process, legal ethics, and the integrity of the verdict.

 

Parallel Investigations Begin

Plaintiff Davis filed the civil lawsuit in February 2023 against the Sheriff’s office, alleging reverse discrimination and retaliation after being passed over for promotion by then-Sheriff Clovis Watson, Jr. But that same day, Davis’s attorney, Bobi J. Frank, contacted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) advocating for a criminal investigation against the same officials named in the civil case.

The result was a parallel criminal probe by FDLE that unfolded largely out of public view –and without full disclosure to the jury.

 

The Immunity Deal and Secret Monitoring

With a post-trial hearing scheduled for July 15, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office is seeking to overturn the jury’s decision, citing the excessive jury award and the jury’s exposure to allegedly improper testimony among other factors.

Troubling new information has surfaced regarding one of the plaintiff’s key witnesses – now retired ACSO Captain Brandon Kutner. According to FDLE records, Kutner admitted to secretly monitoring a conversation involving his attorney, Bobi J. Frank, and ACSO Deputy James Hardy. Records also show that when Frank and Hardy met in an ACSO office equipped with audiovisual and monitoring technology, Frank openly inquired if that room was a safe place to talk with Hardy. Meanwhile, Kutner was in another room monitoring the conversation. It is not clear if Frank was genuinely concerned with the confidentiality of her conversation with Hardy or if she was merely feigning it for the purpose of building out a claim.

 

A Pattern of Overlap and Omission

Notably, FDLE was investigating two instances of alleged illegal recording or monitoring by ACSO. In both instances Frank was the subject of the alleged illegal conduct. These circumstances raise the question: Was it possible that Frank was orchestrating and manufacturing evidence as a foundation for an FDLE investigation and subsequent civil suit?

Frank’s representation of potentially adverse parties raises concerns of possible conflicts of interest. The State Attorney’s Office later confirmed that Kutner received immunity before admitting to the conduct. FDLE records make clear that Kutner did not testify to FDLE investigators until after he received a formal grant of immunity. His admission about the secret monitoring came during that interview – which took place at Frank’s own law office, a location that appears multiple times in FDLE’s investigative files as the setting for early witness interviews.

Records reflect that Frank sat in on and represented at least eight witnesses during the early stages of the FDLE probe – a probe she requested that FDLE conduct. Nearly all of Frank’s eight clients received immunity for their testimony with FDLE. People will often obtain immunity when they have knowledge of an alleged crime and also may be implicated in that or another crime as a result of their own conduct. Frank also sued ACSO on behalf of several of her other clients.

 

What the Jury Never Knew

This development was never disclosed to the jury during Davis’s civil trial. The immunity Kutner was granted was also never raised during his civil trial testimony, nor was the jury informed that he had admitted to the conduct. There is no indication the defense was informed of the immunity agreement prior to the close of evidence.

These circumstances are now central to ACSO’s argument that the civil proceedings were tainted by withheld information and undue influence. In post-trial filings, ACSO argued that had the jury known about Kutner’s immunity and his illegal monitoring, it would have fundamentally changed how his credibility was assessed.

The same filings may suggest that Frank’s representation of multiple witnesses in the same investigation – while being secretly recorded by one – raises serious ethical concerns, especially when the resulting information was used to help shape the FDLE’s investigatory narrative. One implication that could be surmised is that the criminal probe was never independent at all, but was instead shaped behind the scenes by Davis’s civil trial legal team to bolster their case.

Kutner’s testimony featured prominently in the trial, providing details that supported plaintiff Davis’s retaliation narrative. Yet the context behind Kutner’s participation – the immunity deal, the secret monitoring, and the location of his interviews – was all withheld from the jury’s view.

The jury did not hear how the FDLE criminal probe interviews unfolded in a setting controlled by Davis’s own counsel. And notably, the jury never heard that the criminal investigation had been closed with no charges filed.

 

A Verdict on Incomplete Information

This means that the jury’s verdict rested on an incomplete picture of what happened in the FDLE investigation because they never heard about the immunity of Kutner and others, the secret monitoring, or his participation in what may have been a coordinated legal strategy. ACSO’s attorneys argue that this resulted in a lack of fundamental fairness.

The central question remains: Did Davis’s legal team possess knowledge and control over both sides of the FDLE criminal investigation and civil proceedings, shaping them in tandem to achieve a result that the facts alone could not support?

The jury never had a chance to ask that question. And unless the court reopens the door, neither will anyone else.

 

Next, in Part 3: Manufactured Crisis?

Over the course of two years, Sheriff Clovis Watson, Jr., became the subject of one lawsuit, then another–and another. But were the media being used to reinforce a carefully constructed narrative of scandal?

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Undisclosed: Civil suit, criminal probe collide in Davis’s $15M verdict

A SERIES

Part 1: Did attorney have inside track on FDLE probe, leaving defense in the dark?

Editor’s Note: This is Part 1 in a multi-part series examining the legal battle between the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) and ACSO Sgt. Kevin Davis.

GAINESVILLE – Sergeant Kevin Davis, a deputy with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), filed a civil suit in February 2023 against his employer for alleged reverse discrimination and retaliation. Davis alleged that former Sheriff Clovis Watson, Jr., passed him over for promotion. However, in a twist not known to the general public but reported in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) investigative report, Davis’s civil lawsuit attorney, Bobi J. Frank, contacted FDLE that same day requesting that the agency launch a criminal investigation into the very officials named in Davis’s civil lawsuit.

The civil lawsuit and the criminal complaint were filed almost simultaneously. And for the next two years, the civil proceedings played out under the heavy shadow of a separate criminal probe by FDLE.

At the civil trial, the criminal investigation loomed large. Witnesses mentioned subpoenas. Former deputies testified. The implication was unmistakable: Davis had exposed wrongdoing and was punished for it. But now, with a $15 million civil trial verdict delivered and post-trial motions underway, a starkly different picture is beginning to emerge.

A February 2025 letter from Third Judicial Circuit State Attorney John Durrett confirmed what many had suspected but couldn’t prove at trial: the FDLE investigation was quietly closed with no charges filed – not against former Sheriff Clovis Watson, Jr., not against anyone.

Durrett’s letter was unequivocal: “Insufficient evidence has been developed and presented to establish a criminal act on the part of [Sheriff Clovis Watson, Jr.]…”

But crucially, that letter was not authored until after the jury had already returned its civil verdict – and it wasn’t made public until more than a month later. By then, the jury had already awarded Davis $15 million in damages without ever knowing the criminal case had been dropped.

Durrett’s bombshell letter couldn’t have been disclosed at trial because it didn’t yet exist. It was signed just 12 days after the jury’s Feb. 7, 2025 verdict. ACSO’s attorneys only learned of its existence in late March, after a Gainesville Sun article revealed the case had been closed. The Sheriff’s Office submitted a public records request and obtained the letter and investigative materials in early April, which was too late to include them in their initial civil post-trial motions.

What the public didn’t know, and what the jury never heard, was that the criminal case cited throughout the trial had already collapsed under scrutiny. Nevertheless, Davis’s legal team repeatedly invoked it to bolster a case that ultimately had little to do with criminal conduct and everything to do with shaping perceptions.

The trial record shows that Davis’s attorneys leaned heavily on the existence of the FDLE probe. They referenced subpoenas, criminal implications, and an ongoing investigation. But nowhere did they mention that prosecutors had cleared everyone involved.

More troubling still, five key FDLE interviews were conducted at Frank’s own law office, suggesting Davis and his attorney had more than just passive awareness of the investigation.

One of those interviews featured retired ACSO Captain Brandon Kutner, who admitted to secretly recording privileged conversations between Frank and her other clients, while she was also appearing to represent him. This raises the question: Was the entire criminal investigation a product of careful orchestration?

The jury never heard those details.

Instead, they heard suggestions of misconduct and retaliation. But even Kutner’s own actions raise questions: while seemingly represented by Frank, he recorded her speaking with another Sheriff’s Office employee, one of her other clients. Perhaps more troubling, records suggest that nothing within the FDLE criminal probe ever touched on Davis’s reverse discrimination claims, the very basis of his civil lawsuit.

Frank likely had detailed knowledge of the investigation, information that was never disclosed to ACSO’s attorneys, because FDLE’s own records show she sat in on and represented at least eight of the witnesses interviewed, giving her early and exclusive access to the investigation’s contents.

When the jury awarded Davis $15 million in the civil trial, ACSO’s attorneys objected immediately. They argued the award bore little resemblance to the damages of $115,724 as calculated by Davis’s expert witness. There were no expert witnesses or medical documentation, therapist records or medical bills to support Davis’s claim of mental anguish and suffering. In the wake of that verdict, the defense doubled down.

Post-trial motions filed by ACSO attorneys in both February and May argued that the proceedings were tainted by strategic omissions, misleading inferences, and the introduction of prejudicial testimony about a criminal case that ultimately went nowhere. ACSO’s attorneys are demanding a new trial or a complete reversal of the jury’s verdict. At the very least, they seek a reduction of the verdict, calling the jury’s award “grossly excessive, unreasonable, and unsupported by the evidence in the record.”

Alachua County Today has learned that Judge Gloria Walker has denied ACSO’s motion to amend its post-trial motions which would have allowed the Court to consider those newly uncovered documents, including Durrett’s letter and the FDLE’s summary findings. This means that ACSO’s requests for a new trial, a reversal of the jury’s verdict, and reduction in the jury award will have to rest on the defense’s initial post-trial motions. That hearing is scheduled for July 15, 2025.

Next, in Part 2: The Immunity Nobody Mentioned

One of the plaintiff’s key witnesses was granted immunity after admitting he illegally recorded his own attorney—while she was representing another client. The jury never heard a word of it.

 

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ALACHUA – Mike DaRoza, who has served the City of Alachua in multiple roles over the past eight years, will step down as City Manager effective June 8, 2025. His resignation submitted via formal letter to the City Commission on May 26, and confirmed in a city-issued press release on May 29, comes at a time of increasing political disarray inside City Hall.

DaRoza’s letter conveyed appreciation for his time with the City and a pledge to ensure a smooth transition as the community grapples with uncertainty and a fractured Commission.

Leadership Vacuum and Political Noise

The most recent municipal election brought two new commissioners to the dais: Mayor Walter Welch and Commissioner Jacob Fletcher. Since their installation, meetings have become more contentious, and the Commission appears reluctant to take clear positions on key issues.

Rather than assert a coherent vision or provide reassurance to City staff, the Commission has remained largely silent. The vacuum has been filled instead by speculation, posturing, and, increasingly, interference from the small but vocal group of activists whose influence now appears to outweigh institutional knowledge.

Interference is also coming by way of the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners who objected to multiple developments within the City of Alachua. In fact, during the City of Alachua election in April, there were reports of County commissioners working to unseat City of Alachua incumbents as a means to stifle Alachua’s growth. The chaos that has sinc e ensued appears to have done just that.

Fletcher Email Raises Legal and Ethical Concerns

Amid the uncertainty, Alachua County Today has obtained an email sent by Fletcher to his fellow commissioners, objecting to Assistant City Manager Rodolfo Valladares potentially stepping into the interim city manager role. In the email, Fletcher criticized Valladares for informing commissioners about his willingness to serve in the interim role.  Fletcher said Valadares undermined the Commission.

But in sending that email directly to the full board – and making his position on a likely Commission vote explicit – Fletcher may have undermined the law himself. Legal observers say the email likely constitutes a violation of Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Law, which prohibits elected officials from discussing pending public matters among themselves outside of properly noticed meetings.

Former Florida Attorney General Robert A. Butterworth stated in Attorney General Opinion # AGO 01-21 that a commissioner sending out a “position statement” is not necessarily a violation of the Sunshine Law, it is a slippery slope.

“Thus, this practice is problematical and discussions of commissioners' individual positions on matters coming before the board for consideration might better be presented during the course of an open meeting.”

The opinion continued, “In sum, while this office would strongly discourage such activity, it is my opinion that it is not a direct violation of the Government in the Sunshine Law for council members … to prepare and circulate their own written position statements to other council members so long as the council members avoid any discussion or debate among themselves on these statements. I would caution that the city council's discussions and deliberations on matters coming before the council must occur at a duly noticed city council meeting and the circulation of these position statements must not be used to circumvent the requirements of the statute.”

In the case of Fletcher’s email, it appears that the commissioner was attempting to state his position with the intent of influencing the votes of his fellow commissioners.

“It’s ironic,” said one government ethics attorney. “Accusing staff of overstepping while possibly violating open meeting law is exactly the kind of contradiction that sows distrust.” 

Alachua County Today  is not aware of any formal complaint being filed, but the incident underscores the broader dysfunction now taking root at City Hall.

The Commission’s Indecision on What Comes Next

With DaRoza stepping aside, the question of who will lead the city remains unsettled. Valladares, the current Assistant City Manager and a professional engineer with more than 20 years’ experience, appears the most logical interim choice. He previously served as Public Services Director for over eight years and currently oversees most day-to-day operations.

But Fletcher’s opposition and the Commission’s failure to signal a clear direction leaves significant uncertainty. A vote on the interim appointment may come at the next scheduled meeting on June 9, but with commissioners divided and legal questions already swirling, confidence in the process appears to be eroding.

Community Watches as Stability Slips

DaRoza’s departure doesn’t signal renewal or transformation—it marks a period of uncertainty. As the Commission delays key decisions and risks further internal conflict, the City faces leadership questions at a time when staff retention, infrastructure planning, and public trust all require clear, steady hands.

Alachua, long regarded as a forward-thinking city and model of economic prosperity, is facing turmoil that may very well undermine investment in the community and lead to stagnation. Alachua faced similar circumstances in the early 2000s but was bolstered by a large contingent of community leaders and small business owners who championed a vision of prosperity and sustainability for the community. It is yet to be seen if similar voices will lead Alachua through the challenges of today.

For now, residents are left with more questions than answers: Will experience and institutional knowledge continue to be cast aside? Will a small number of activists run City Hall? Will community leaders step in to steady the ship? The answers may soon be known.

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LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed two new laws Wednesday aimed at cracking down on animal cruelty and ensuring greater protection for pets during emergencies and in daily care.

Known as Trooper’s Law and Dexter’s Law, the legislation imposes tougher penalties for abandonment, neglect, and abuse of animals, with specific provisions to address conduct during natural disasters and instances of aggravated cruelty.

“Across Florida, we have seen horrifying instances of animal cruelty that demand a stronger response,” DeSantis said during the bill signing. “I was proud to sign Trooper’s Law and Dexter’s Law today. Florida stands by man’s best friend.”

Trooper’s Law (Senate Bill 150) makes it a third-degree felony to restrain and abandon a dog outdoors during a declared natural disaster or under mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders. The law allows for penalties of up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Inspired by a dog named Trooper—rescued by the Florida Highway Patrol after being left chained in the path of Hurricane Milton—the bill also codifies misdemeanor charges for failure to provide adequate food, water, and exercise to confined animals or for abandoning them.

Dexter’s Law (House Bill 255), named after a shelter dog killed just days after adoption in Pinellas County, enhances penalties for aggravated animal cruelty. The law includes a 1.25 sentencing multiplier for offenders and establishes Florida’s first animal abuser database, a tool intended to help prevent repeat abuse and improve community safety.

Both bills were supported by bipartisan efforts and animal welfare advocates across the state. The laws go into effect later this year.

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TALLAHASSEE — On May27,2025, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the following bills:
 
CS/CS/SB 112 - Children with Developmental Disabilities
CS/CS/SB 768 - Foreign Countries of Concern
CS/CS/SB 1546 - Background Screening of Athletic Coaches
CS/HB 999 - Legal Tender
CS/HB 547 - Medical Debt
CS/CS/HB 757 - Sexual Images

To view the Senate transmittal letter, click here
To view the House transmittal letter, click here.

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TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s pristine coastline has once again received national recognition, with two Florida State Parks named among the top 10 beaches in the United States by coastal expert Dr. Stephen Leatherman, known as Dr. Beach.

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples secured the No. 4 spot on the 2025 list, while St. Andrews State Park in Panama City came in at No. 7. The annual rankings, released each Memorial Day weekend, highlight beaches that excel in natural beauty, cleanliness, safety and visitor amenities.

“Florida State Parks continue to set the standard for natural beauty, visitor experience and resource protection,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “Our parks offer some of the best beach experiences anywhere in the country, and we are proud to share them with the world.”

Delnor-Wiggins Pass, located on the Gulf of Mexico, is known for its sugar-white sand and thriving ecosystem. Popular activities include snorkeling along the reef, kayaking through mangrove-lined Wiggins Pass, birdwatching, fishing and hiking.

On Florida’s Panhandle, St. Andrews State Park features a mile-and-a-half of shoreline ideal for swimming, surfing and shelling. The park also offers nature trails through pine forests and coastal habitats and a ferry to nearby Shell Island, a secluded barrier island with emerald waters and untouched beaches.

“Delnor-Wiggins Pass and St. Andrews are incredible natural treasures,” said Chuck Hatcher, director of Florida State Parks. “We're proud of the work our team has done to protect these beaches while ensuring they remain accessible for everyone to enjoy.”

The Top 10 Beach List, curated by Dr. Leatherman, a professor at Florida International University, evaluates more than 50 criteria including sand softness, water clarity, environmental quality and public access.

“Florida State Parks’ beaches are among the most outstanding in the nation, and Delnor-Wiggins Pass and St. Andrews are two of the best examples,” Leatherman said. “Several other Florida beach parks also ranked in the top 20 this year, which speaks to the exceptional quality and stewardship across the entire park system.”

Florida’s state parks have a strong history of high rankings on Dr. Beach’s annual list. Six have previously been named No. 1 in the nation, including St. George Island (2023), Grayton Beach (2020), Caladesi Island (2008), St. Joseph Peninsula (2002), St. Andrews (1995) and Bahia Honda (1992).

The Florida State Parks system, recognized four times with the National Recreation and Park Association's Gold Medal, is a current finalist for an unprecedented fifth award.

For more information or to plan a visit, go to FloridaStateParks.org.

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TALLAHASSEE - Save the dates for two upcoming license-free fishing weekends hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), a perfect opportunity to try fishing with your friends and family!

This summer's license-free fishing weekends are on June 7-8 for saltwater and June 14-15 for freshwater. Residents and visitors are encouraged to explore the many recreational fishing opportunities Florida has to offer, whether you like to fish from the shore or your boat, there are so many options across the state.

People of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to take advantage of these special weekends, which allow them to reel in their favorite fish species without the need for a fishing license.

All other rules, such as seasons, bag and size limits apply. To renew or purchase a fishing license, visit GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

Visit the FWC’s fishing basics web page for tips and information on how to start fishing or refresh your knowledge.

Visit MyFWC.com and learn where to go freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, or how to find a boat ramp or pier near you.

Check out FWC’s angler recognition programs TrophyCatch and Catch a Florida Memory to win prizes and recognition.

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Low interest disaster loans now available

ATLANTA - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Florida who sustained economic losses caused by drought occurring Mar. 11.

The disaster declaration covers the counties of Alachua, Bradford, Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Flagler, Glades, Hendry, Hernando, Lake, Lee, Levy, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter and Volusia in Florida.

Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

“Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.62% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The deadline to return economic injury applications is Jan. 5, 2026.

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TALLAHASSEE.— On May 23, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis received the following bills:

CS/CS/HB 969 - Reporting of Student Mental Health Outcomes
CS/SB 150 - Abandoning Restrained Dogs During Natural Disasters
CS/HB 255 - Aggravated Animal Cruelty
CS/HB 999 - Legal Tender
CS/SB 1102 - School Readiness Program
CS/CS/HB 1255 - Education
HB 6017 - Recovery of Damages for Medical Negligence Resulting in Death
CS/CS/SB 112 - Children with Developmental Disabilities
CS/CS/HB 443 - Education
CS/CS/HB 875 - Educator Preparation
CS/CS/CS/HB 1105 - Education
CS/HB 547 - Medical Debt
CS/HB 1567 - Insulin Administration by Direct-support Professionals and Relatives
CS/CS/SB 768 - Foreign Countries of Concern
CS/CS/SB 1546 - Background Screening of Athletic Coaches
SB 994 - Driver License Education Requirements
CS/CS/HB 757 - Sexual Images

The Governor has until May 30, 2025 to act on these bills.

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Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays many crucial roles in the body. Here are some of its key benefits:

William Garst HS
Vision

  • Essential for night vision: Vitamin A is a component of rhodopsin, a protein in the eyes that allows us to see in low-light conditions. Deficiency can lead to night blindness. Supports overall eye health: It helps maintain the cornea (the outer layer of the eye) and conjunctiva (the membrane covering the surface of the eye).
  • May reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts: Some studies suggest that adequate vitamin A intake, often through carotenoids like beta-carotene, may lower the risk of these age-related eye conditions.
  • Treats dry eyes and inflammation: Vitamin A can help moisten the eyes and reduce inflammation.

Immune Function

  • Supports immune cell development: Vitamin A is crucial for the development and function of various immune cells, including neutrophils and macrophages, which fight off infections.
  • Maintains the mucosal barrier: It helps maintain the health of the mucous membranes in the nose, sinuses, mouth, and gut, which act as a barrier against pathogens.
  • May reduce the severity of certain infections: In deficient children, vitamin A supplementation can reduce the severity of measles and diarrhea.

Skin Health

  • Promotes cell growth and turnover: Vitamin A is involved in the growth and repair of skin cells.
  • May help treat acne: Topical retinoids (a form of vitamin A) are commonly used to treat acne by promoting skin cell turnover and reducing oil production
  • .Reduces signs of aging: Topical retinoids can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation by stimulating collagen production and promoting skin cell turnover.
  • Supports wound healing: Vitamin A plays a role in collagen production and reduces inflammation, which are important for wound healing.
  • May help treat other skin conditions: Prescription retinoids are used to treat conditions like psoriasis and warts.

Growth and Development

  • Essential for cell growth and differentiation: Vitamin A is needed for the proper development and specialization of cells throughout the body.
  • Important for fetal development: It plays a critical role in the growth and development of the fetus during pregnancy.
  • Supports bone health: Vitamin A contributes to bone growth and maintenance.
  1. Reproduction:
  • Essential for both male and female reproductive health: It is involved in sperm and egg development.
  • Important for placental health: Vitamin A is crucial for the health and function of the placenta during pregnancy.

Antioxidant Activity

  • Carotenoids act as antioxidants: Beta-carotene and other carotenoids, which can be converted to vitamin A in the body, are potent antioxidants that can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Important Considerations:

  • Deficiency: Vitamin A deficiency can lead to various health problems, including night blindness, increased risk of infections, and skin issues.
  • Toxicity: Excessive intake of vitamin A can be harmful, leading to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and even liver damage. Pregnant women should be particularly careful not to exceed the recommended upper limit due to the risk of birth defects.
  • Food Sources: It's generally best to obtain vitamin A through a balanced diet rich in sources like liver, fish, dairy products, eggs, and orange and yellow fruits and vegetables (which contain beta-carotene).

It's always best to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate amount of vitamin A for your individual needs

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William Garst is a consultant pharmacist who lives in Alachua, Florida. He is semi-retired and works part time at Lake Butler Hospital in Lake Butler, Florida. William received his pharmacy degree at Auburn University and a Doctor of Pharmacy from Colorado University. The Pharmacy Newsletter is a blog where you can find other informative columns. He may be contacted at garstcph@gmail.com.

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We want to thank the Alachua County Today community for strongly supporting the Alachua Main Street Harvest Festival this past Sunday.

There were over 200 vendors with all types of products and a record crowd that was amazing from start to finish.  The vendors do a fantastic job of coming early and setting up for a big day and they were rewarded. 

Our 37th Alachua Main Street festival was a resounding success!

Marilyn Vanover

Alachua Business League

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Small municipalities are currently undergoing numerous changes and financial problems. Elected officials often spearhead projects within their cities, but I do not see much of that taking place in my city of Archer. In most cases we have no oversight, follow up or plans. The lack of these brings about project delays affecting the utilization of grants and other resources in the city.

It is a sad thing to see the newly planned Community Center project for the Holly Hills neighborhood going down the drain and grant funding being returned.

Municipalities are grappling with an influx of grant funds aimed at addressing numerous community projects. As someone who has authored and received numerous grants, I can attest that effective leadership is crucial for fund management. The associated reports alone are intricate. This underscores the importance of well -trained municipal managers and staff, including contingency training.

The city manager should be a proficient communicator, hands-on, and proactive, engaging with the community to address the needs. The city manager assumes a leadership role, ensuring task are completed, while the commissioners act as overseers, bridging the gap between politics and administration and executing the laws.

Citizens and residents in many small towns like Archer often refrain from participating in the political process. Attending meetings become futile when the issue affecting you have already transpired, rendering your input belated.

We all contribute taxes to support our cities and understanding how the funds are spent is crucial.

Roberta C. Lopez

Archer, Florida

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Our small town of High Springs is beloved because its elected leaders have done more things right than wrong over time. Just like with big families, there is rarely unanimous agreement on how issues should be addressed. Issues are not simple, and leaders that let you believe the choices are not hard are fooling you. What usually tells the truth is time.

In the past year, High Springs has received no new grant funding, returned over a million dollars in grants, lost leaders in every major department other than police, while retaining an under qualified finance director. Our mayor and other first-term commissioners have blamed former staff and former elected officials for a range of problems and suddenly the city is portrayed as poor.

For the first time in years, our city is being sued. Current leadership has accepted no responsibility and created a budget, that in the coming year, will repeat many of the mistakes previous commissions had been working for years to fix.

The stage is now set for our community to lose our exceptional Fire Department.  Current commissioners have lowered expectations for what a small-town department can offer.  They have hired leadership with little experience and the slow recovery from the recent storms are an example of what we have lost.

Do you see a pattern?

Luckily, we have two citizens who are willing to step up, accept responsibility, make decisions and guide our growing town to its future.

They have experience in public service; they have training in emergency management, large budgets, and leadership. Sue Weller has felt compelled to return to office because of the intentional mistruths spoken by our mayor.

Ross Ambrose

High Springs Resident

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To fellow High Springs voters:

I have been a resident of High Springs since 1979 with a unique multi view experience of our City's political climate and government.

Back in the 1980s, I worked as a paralegal for the then High Springs City Attorney. Decades later, my husband served on the High Springs Commission and later became City Attorney for High Springs before the City's current legal counsel. I have spent the past 28 years working for a local developer and real estate investor managing both residential apartments and professional commercial properties in the City of High Springs.

Over the decades, I have witnessed Commissions that have operated as a cohesive body following the Charter, working with the City Manager, and conducting City business with thoughtful, well versed and trained leadership. Unfortunately, I have also witnessed Commissions that have been riddled with partisanship, discourse, and lack of training trying to manage staff at City Hall and make decisions outside of the Commission as a whole.

Unfortunately, we are again experiencing this type of local government climate. Our City is in crisis. The turnover rate from the number of employees leaving the City has resulted in great inefficiency in services to our citizens, not to mention the lack of transparency within our government causing many citizens to be uninformed at best or ill-informed at worst.

We need proven, experienced non-partisan leadership, and that is why I am endorsing Sue Weller for Seat #5 for the High Springs City Commission. As many voters know, Sue served on the Commission from 2010 through 2016.

What voters may not know is that Sue has stayed continually engaged in the governance of High Springs. She has served on multiple boards as well as faithfully followed the City Commission meetings live or online. Her depth of knowledge around our Charter and our history regarding planned responsible growth are pluses in a time when there are many gaps in our City's continuity in leadership.

Sue's professionalism and ability to stay neutral while listening to our citizens is refreshing and supportive of the direction we want to take our City.

A vote for Sue Weller provides an opportunity to begin to restore and rebuild the City's reputation and service to our residents; supports a healthy cohesive working environment for City staff; and strongly sends the message that we believe our commissioners should be willing to attend Florida League of Cities training programs for new commissioners as well as continuing education classes for current commissioners.

I personally am grateful that Sue Weller is willing to serve our community again; especially at a time when we so need proven leadership. I love High Springs and I know that we, as voting citizens, can help our City course correct and return to service and civility. Please join me in making sure this opportunity to have Sue Weller back on the Commission is not missed.

Alvalyn Lancaster

High Springs, Florida 32643

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Tim Marden, Alachua County Republican Chairman, seeks to divide us and spew hatred whenever and wherever he can. He recently sent out a letter concerning the upcoming City Commission election in High Springs. Such elections are non-partisan, i.e., the candidates do not list their political affiliations and a candidate’s party affiliation is not listed on the ballot.

Marden tries to create an issue about Precinct 60 voting place being moved from the 1st Methodist Church to the newly named and remodeled Douglas Community Center. He incorrectly states that Ross Ambrose “quietly initiated” such polling change “earlier this year.”

Mr. Ambrose originally brought this proposed change about four years ago. Polling places are supposed to be in the precinct that they represent. The church is not in Precinct 60. The Douglas Community Center is. Ms. Barton [Alachua County Supervisor of Elections], after the recent renovation of the Center, determined that it is now “a suitable location” in Precinct 60, and moved the polling place to the Center.

Marden questions the “last minute” change, but the renovation was finished only about a month ago and the request to move the polling place from the church originated about four years ago. But don’t let facts get in the way if Marden wants to spew hatred.

He writes that Barton has made two changes that directly affect the votes of Republicans. What about those voters (Republican and Democratic, alike) who live in Precinct 60 and have to drive to the church? No, Marden doesn’t’ care about that. In Marden’s mind Barton’s decision is solely to hinder Republican voters.

Lastly, Marden states that voters in Precinct 60 have to be told of the polling change. I don’t know the date that his letter went out, but voters in Precinct 60 have already received such a notice in the mail.

Marden follows up his imagined tirade with directions to vote for Katherine “against” Sue Weller and Judith Jensen against Kim Barton. Such wording only shows that Marden spews hatred, has no knowledge of the facts (or totally avoids them) and wants to spread his hatred to others. As for Sue Weller’s stand on the issues …. Her campaign sign says it all, “No politics, Just issues.”

Thomas R. Weller

High Springs, FL 32643

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TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today announced a settlement agreement with a commercial fishing captain. Darrell York of the commercial fishing vessel, Watch Out, agreed to pay $22,300 restitution for resource-related crimes dating back to 2015. 

“This case is a great example of our commitment to working with our state and federal partners in bringing those who show complete disregard for Florida’s natural resources and are actively evading officers to justice,” said Col. Roger Young, FWC Division of Law Enforcement.  

Officers with the FWC’s offshore patrol vessel program first encountered York in 2015 when he and his crew discarded their catch of illegal red snapper and grouper during a pursuit. Through multiple encounters and tips from the public, officers determined the captain had constructed a hidden compartment on the vessel. During a stop in January 2021, officers discovered 13 red snapper and one gag grouper in the hidden compartment. Case information was presented to special agents with NOAA and, in April 2022, York and prosecutors with NOAA reached a settlement agreement for a restitution payment of $22,300.

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