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‘I just couldn’t comment to that:’ Florida’s attorney general dodges question about DeSantis public record delays

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‘I just couldn’t comment to that:’ Florida’s attorney general dodges question about DeSantis public record delays


ORLANDO, Fla. – The workplace of Florida Lawyer Basic Ashley Moody has “constantly sought to safeguard” Florida’s Authorities-in-the-Sunshine open assembly and public report legal guidelines, based on Moody’s personal web site.

However in relation to Governor Ron DeSantis delaying the discharge of sure public data requested from state businesses just like the Florida Division of Regulation Enforcement and the Florida Division of Well being – generally for months — whereas his employees conducts a secondary evaluation of the paperwork, Florida’s strongest lawyer is reluctant to share her ideas.

“I simply couldn’t remark to that,” Moody stated in response to questions from Information 6 in regards to the governor’s follow.

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Information 6 just lately uncovered inner data from DeSantis’s workplace revealing how the governor’s authorized staff often provides weeks or months of delays to the discharge of public data from state businesses requested by residents and journalists.

State regulation doesn’t require authorities businesses to provide public data inside a selected time-frame.

Nonetheless, the Florida Supreme Court docket dominated in 1984 that the “solely delay” permitted in producing public data is the time it takes for a report custodian to retrieve the report and delete any exempt, private info.

“In accordance with the Governor’s obligation to take care that the legal guidelines be faithfully executed, the Govt Workplace of the Governor might evaluation the report to make sure the accuracy and correctness of the report manufacturing,” a DeSantis spokesperson instructed Information 6 final 12 months.

The governor’s workplace claims DeSantis has the authority to evaluation public data compiled by subordinate state businesses if the governor “might have an fairness” within the report “as a result of the report consists of communications with the Govt Workplace of the Governor, as a result of the report issues the Governor, or as a result of there’s motive to imagine that the Governor could also be requested about info within the report.”

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“I believe it’s unlawful. Flat out unlawful,” stated Michael Barfield, the director of public entry on the Florida Middle for Authorities Accountability, a watchdog group that advocates for clear authorities.

“No court docket has ever held that the governor will get to evaluation data of an company,” Barfield stated. “That causes an computerized delay. The Florida Supreme Court docket has dominated that an computerized delay violates the Public Information Act.”

Throughout a current public look in Orlando, Information 6 requested Moody whether or not she thought of her workplace to be a champion for Florida’s open authorities legal guidelines.

Information 6 investigative reporter Mike DeForest asks about Florida Lawyer Basic Ashley Moody about Gov. DeSantis public report delays

“Properly, I believe the folks and anybody in workplace would say that Authorities-in-the-Sunshine and people legal guidelines had been put in place to ensure the parents who employed us to do these jobs, the residents of our state, can maintain monitor of the whole lot that is occurring in authorities,” stated Moody. “And I hope that that’s enjoying out. And positively, we attempt to facilitate that inside our workplace.”

Information 6 then requested Moody to share her private ideas on the governor delaying the discharge of public data, generally for months, whereas his employees evaluations them.

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“I believe that anytime an company or a corporation will get a request for public data, they take that very severely,” replied Moody. “They need to be sure they’re thorough. They need to be sure they’re in a position to evaluation these and ensure they’ve gotten the whole lot collectively. It’s no small activity. I can let you know; I lead the most important regulation agency within the state, and it’s no small activity to be sure you are effectively responding to those requests. So, I believe with the ability to evaluation data is customary and we might need that of our businesses.”

When a Information 6 reporter clarified that the query was not about state businesses reviewing public data however somewhat the governor’s workplace delaying the discharge of these data, an aide to the lawyer normal tried to wrap up Moody’s press availability.

“Let me simply be sure, is there every other query?” Moody requested a small group of reporters attending an occasion throughout which the lawyer normal honored an Orlando firefighter.

When no reporters requested Moody additional questions, the lawyer normal returned to Information 6′s inquiry in regards to the governor delaying the discharge of public data.

“And as for every other officer and the way they deal with these processes, I simply couldn’t remark to that,” Moody stated earlier than stepping away from a microphone.

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“Historically, the Lawyer Basic has been a powerful advocate of our legal guidelines,” Barfield instructed Information 6. “It’s unhappy to see the Lawyer Basic is not going to converse up in favor of imposing the Public Information Act.”

Barfield believes current legal guidelines handed by the Florida legislature limiting entry to public info, together with a invoice that will defend the governor’s journey data, threat eroding democracy by undermining the general public’s belief in authorities.

“I’ve been working in transparency for greater than 30 years now, and I’ve by no means seen something like this,” stated Barfield. “It’s an all-out assault on the power of our residents to search out out what their authorities is as much as.”


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Florida

Florida housekeeper assaults, robs 83-year-old employer who couldn’t afford her Christmas bonus: sheriff

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Florida housekeeper assaults, robs 83-year-old employer who couldn’t afford her Christmas bonus: sheriff


No, Scrooge you!

A 29-year-old Florida housekeeper robbed and assaulted her 83-year-old employer on Christmas Eve when the elderly woman said she couldn’t afford to pay her once-trusted worker a holiday bonus, authorities said this week.

Heather Nelson, 29, became irate when her request for a $500 bonus was rejected by her octogenarian boss — and decided to take what she wanted anyway, according to a press release from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

Heather Nelson was arrested in Florida after she robbed and assaulted the 83-year-old boss after she was denied a Christmas bonus. Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Florida (Official)/Facebook

“Nelson responded by physically wrenching the victim’s checkbook from her hand, stealing a check from the checkbook, and then, I guess in an effort to ruin other people’s Christmas as well, stole Christmas cards that were set to be mailed out also containing checks,” Sheriff Wayne Ivey said in the statement.

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The housekeeper, whom Ivey repeatedly called a “Grinch,” allegedly grabbed the checkbook with such force that she nearly broke the woman’s wrist.

Nelson then allegedly wrote a check for $1,400 — and used the victim’s credit card to pay her rent and make other purchases, BCSO said.

“What’s next … kick her dog, too?” Ivey asked in the release.

The housekeeper, whom Ivey repeatedly called a “Grinch,” allegedly grabbed the checkbook with such force that she nearly broke the woman’s wrist. Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Florida (Official)/Facebook
Police talk with Nelson after her arrest. Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Florida (Official)/Facebook

Nelson was nabbed on Jan. 7 after the check cleared and credit card transactions were posted, Law and Crime reported.

“Since you were so worried about getting your bonus, we had some extra gifts for you, like a keepsake booking photo, a slightly used pair of shower slides and unlimited access to our world-famous one-star dining facility where you can enjoy absolutely nothing you eat,” Ivey snarked in the BCSO statement.

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Nelson was nabbed on Jan. 7 after the check cleared and credit card transactions were posted. Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Florida (Official)/Facebook

She faces a laundry list of charges, including aggravated battery, robbery, forgery, fraud, passing a counterfeit instrument and grand theft, according to court filings reviewed by the outlet.

She was held on a $30,000 bond and released on Jan 9, the outlet reported.



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Former Florida State Wide Receiver Transferring To MAC Program

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Former Florida State Wide Receiver Transferring To MAC Program


Florida State has retooled its wide receiver room through the NCAA Transfer Portal after multiple starters and contributors moved on from Tallahassee. The Seminoles will have an array of different pass-catchers to support quarterback transfer Thomas Castellanos in 2025.

Earlier this week, former FSU wide receiver Darion Williamson announced his transfer to Miami (OH). Williamson entered the portal in December to explore his options elsewhere. The veteran spent the last five seasons with the Seminoles after signing with the program as a three-star prospect in Mike Norvell’s inaugural recruiting class in 2020.

This past season, Williamson appeared in all 12 games, contributing on special teams and as a member of the wide receiver rotation on offense. He caught five passes for 71 yards, including a 35-yard reception in the loss to SMU in September.

In total, Williamson appeared in 41 games, making two starts, and hauled in 35 receptions for 454 yards and one touchdown. His best performance with the Seminoles came in 2022 in a victory against Boston College where he caught five passes for 98 yards in one half of action.

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READ MORE: Former FSU Football Standout Accepts Invitation To Reese’s Senior Bowl

The Tennessee native had a ton of potential but injuries limited his contributions over the years. He’ll have a chance to instantly play a big role on a Miami (OH) squad that is losing its top three wide receivers.

Williamson stands at 6-foot-3, 202 pounds. He’s expected to have one season of eligibility remaining. Williamson got an extra year due to COVID-19 and redshirted in 2022. Williamson played in five games that season but one of those appearances was in the bowl game against Oklahoma, which doesn’t count towards the redshirt rule.

FSU has six scholarship wide receivers eligible to return in 2025; junior Hykeem Williams, redshirt sophomore Jalen Brown, sophomore Lawayne McCoy, sophomore BJ Gibson, redshirt freshman Elijah Moore, and redshirt freshman Camdon Frier.

The Seminoles signed four wide receivers during the Early Signing Period; four-star Jayvan Boggs, four-star Tae’Shaun Gelsey, three-star Teriq Mallory, and three-star JUCO Jordan Scott. The program also landed USC wide receiver transfer Duce Robinson and Tennessee wide receiver transfer Squirrel White.

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Last month, the program officially announced the addition of new wide receivers coach Tim Harris Jr.

Williamson is one of 19 scholarship players to enter the transfer portal since the conclusion of a 2-10 season. Redshirt senior wide receiver Deuce Spann, redshirt junior tight end Jackson West, redshirt junior defensive end Byron Turner Jr, redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Tomiwa Durojaiye, senior defensive back Omarion Cooper, sophomore wide receiver Destyn Hill, redshirt freshman defensive end Lamont Green Jr., redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Julian Armella, junior tight end Brian Courtney, redshirt sophomore tight end Jerrale Powers, junior defensive end Marvin Jones Jr., redshirt sophomore linebacker Shawn Murphy, true freshman quarterback Luke Kromenhoek, freshman defensive end DD Holmes, redshirt junior defensive end Patrick Payton, redshirt junior defensive tackle Grady Kelly, senior wide receiver Malik Benson, and redshirt freshman linebacker DeMarco Ward have also declared their intentions to move on.

READ MORE: Florida State Drops In On Blue-Chip Miami Commitment

Stick with NoleGameday for more FREE coverage of Florida State Football throughout the offseason

Follow NoleGameday on and TwitterFacebook, Instagramand TikTok

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• FSU Basketball Sets Program Record in Upset Victory Against Miami

• 13 Former Florida State Stars Advance To NFL Playoffs

 LA Chargers Safety, Former FSU Star Derwin James Earns AFC Defensive Player of the Month

 Florida State Among Programs Standing Out To Younger Brother Of Seminole Legend





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CBS Sports experts narrowly pick Arkansas over Florida on Saturday

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CBS Sports experts narrowly pick Arkansas over Florida on Saturday


Florida basketball prepares for its third game of the Southeastern Conference schedule this Saturday in Fayetteville against the Arkansas Razorbacks. Coming off a monumental upset of the Tennessee Volunteers, the Gators are looking to keep the momentum going.

However, their inability to rein in the Kentucky Wildcats in Rupp Arena to open the calendar year has left some doubt as to whether Todd Golden’s gang can dominate away from the O’Connell Center. At least, that appears to be evident in CBS Sports’ expert picks for Saturday’s SEC matchup.

Of the seven respondents on the expert panel, four picked the Hogs straight up — Matt Norlander, Kyle Boone, Cameron Salerno and Isaac Trotter — while Gary Parrish, David Cobb and Jerry Palm picked the Orange and Blue.

“Arkansas opened conference play with two tough draws. The Razorbacks faced No. 1 Tennessee on the road and No. 23 Ole Miss at home,” the summary begins. “Calipari hasn’t dropped three straight SEC games since the 2020-21 season when he was the head man at Kentucky. Florida is coming off an emotional win over No. 1 Tennessee earlier this week. This seems like the perfect storm for Arkansas to pull off the home upset.”

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How to watch Florida-Arkansas

The Gators return to the road to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville on Saturday, Jan. 11. Tipoff is slated for 4 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.





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