Mad at the system  (by:   -   8/8/2008)

Opps. It doesn't look like a false claim. Tommy Turnbull resigned and one other employee seeks amnesty. Lets see how many more are to come? Tommy has family at R&B I bet they are involved also.

  (by: Concerned Taxpayer in LP  -   8/8/2008)

It is not false claims when it is witnessed - placing fuel into the back of a personal vehicle if theft.

gas  (by: hello  -   8/8/2008)

i hope the county gets sued for false claims , they have a good luck in that department.

See? He called....  (by: Rich  -   8/7/2008)

I'm proud of our clerk. Against advise, he did what he thought was necessary. Good job Mr Brooker! The citizens thank you!! Now, who is Jim K?

Good Job  (by: Concerned Citizen  -   8/7/2008)

Good work Kevin. You are doing what the News Sun is paying you to do. And I must say, I really like the new website and the ability to blog with you and the others about topics.

I don't  (by: Shutt  -   8/7/2008)

I agree with you, C'mon. I don't have anyting better to do. This happens to be my job description, tracking this kind of information down. And, it's the job of the HCSO to investigation, and I'm letting them do that. In addition, it's the job of the Clerk and other governmental offices to respond to citizen requests for access to public information. I have my copy of the DVD and I saw Jim K. driving away from the Government Center, so I assume he has his.

Stolen Gas  (by: Come on   -   8/7/2008)

Don't you people have anything better to do? Let the clerk and/or the SO handle this matter. What's the point in getting your nose in it?

Good news  (by: Shutt  -   8/7/2008)

Clerk Brooker announced this morning that he is granting public access to the videos they have regarding this matter. I want to use this space to thank him for doing the right thing. Whether I'll identify anybody will be determined based on what's on the video, outcome of the HCSO investigation and administrative action (if any) by any of the governmental agencies involved.

Names  (by: Shutt  -   8/7/2008)

The names haven't been released. But, the Clerk document lists employee numbers. Using those numbers, one could easily request to see each agency's employee list to match the numbers to employee. But, because the allegations are criminal in nature and not "merely" policy violation, it's unlikely that I'd disclose any names I have access to via video or employee id lists. Based on the out come of the HCSO investigation, I will do follow up reports and names may be used at that time, especially if criminal charges are filed or terminations occur.

Stolen Gas  (by: Stylist  -   8/6/2008)

You go Kevin. I'm anxiously awaiting to hear if you are continued to be blocked from your request. Have the names of the individuals been released yet? Do we know yet what their punishment is. I'll stay tuned.

Brookers gonna call you!  (by: Rich  -   8/6/2008)

Hey, I really like the way we can blog on these articles.... He will call... And yes, good job!!!!!

To be fair  (by: Shutt  -   8/6/2008)

I'm just trying to get one I believe the public is entitled to at this point, and thus far I'm not satisfied with the responses I've recived. However, in the long run, that doesn't necessarily mean I have legal leg to stand on. My interpretation, obviously, of the open records laws differs from the Clerk's attorney. Brooker is supposed to call me in the morning.

Go Get 'Em  (by: Concerned Citizen  -   8/6/2008)

Good job Kevin! Work your magic and do not let them get away with it!

Kevin's All Over It!!  (by: Rich  -   8/6/2008)

Persue away my friend and make us proud of ya!!

Clerk denying public access  (by: Shutt  -   8/6/2008)

Attorney Jim Lobozzo, counsel for Clerk of Courts L.E. 'Luke' Brooker is advising Brooker to block public access to the video tapes that were generated during a two-month monitoring period by clerk of courts internal auditors. He cites F.S. 119.071(2)(c)1 for the exemption. His argument is that the Highlands County Sheriff's Office has an open investigation. But, the area he cites pertains to agency investigations. The Clerk hasn't opened an investigation, and the clerk is not a part of the HCSO. Obviously, the Sheriff can't release investigation-sensitive information, which is why cases often remain "ongoing" long after charges have been filed in court. But, in this case the HCSO hasn't even requested the Clerk withhold what otherwise is public access material, according Sheriff Benton's legal counsel, Mike Durham. It's up to the Clerk to decide and interpret how he releases public records. Brooker was not in the office after 3 p.m., and a calls to his cell phone have been answered but whoever answered didn't respond. A call to his home was not returned. HCSO made copies of the video tapes, but never requested or said they were not to be released and the Clerk still holds the originals. I'm continuing to pursue this, and if I find that Lobozzo's advice is solid, I will report so.

Stolen Gas  (by: Concerned Citizen  -   8/6/2008)

I support "The Blonde" as well. She has shown an ability to take on the "good ole' boys" and they are scared of her.

Nothing in the Audits?  (by: New Blonde supporter  -   8/6/2008)

So, I guess finding porn viewed by employees, disgusting (and I got to read some of them, they're like retards attempting high school toilet humor) instant messages from employees to other employees are no big deal because they don't put the county in a situation of liability where sexual harassment is involved? That's exactly what the county needs right now, a multi-million dollar sexual harassment judgment. Like Concerned said, if people didn't break the rules the "blonde auditor" wouldn't have a job. Frankly I hope she wins, she's at least showed she isn't afraid to thump the good ol' boys on the head when they need it.

Stolen Gas  (by: Rich  -   8/6/2008)

Between Lethbridge, the auditor and Kevin Shutt, they'll get to the bottom of this... (If Kevin doesn't figure it out first...) They wern't born yesterday, ya know....

Full of Gas  (by: by: by: by: by:   -   8/6/2008)

I think the county does an outstanding job investigating these claims. Hope they get to the bottom of this one and hope it's not a disgruntled employee.

Stolen Gas  (by: Concerned Citizen  -   8/6/2008)

She does what she is instructed to do. The local media makes it a news story. Not her.

Stolen Gas  (by: Stylist  -   8/6/2008)

I didn't blame her. I just said that maybe she finally found something worth reporting on. I think the other audits that she has brought to light have been very un-newsworthy material.

Stolen Gas  (by: Concerned Citizen  -   8/6/2008)

I think that launching personal attacks against "the blonde auditor" is uncalled for. She is doing her job and of course it is not popular. Neither is the Internal Affairs division of a police force, but if people would not break the rules, then neither would be necessary. I agree that we should not rush to judgement until all the facts are present. But blaming an auditor is totally outrageous.

Stolen Gas  (by: Stylist  -   8/5/2008)

Maybe the blonde auditor will actually find something with this audit, unlike the Library Audit, the E911 audit, or the SO OVERBLOWN instant message audit. Of course, it says it was a tip - so it's not like she actually "found" anything.

Overblown  (by: yeah, right, I'm giving you my name  -   8/5/2008)

Probably not as bad as it appears, considering who's behind all of this.