The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.--Dante Aligheri
My name is Jimmie Lee Staley; I am a Southern woman with a mind of my own. When I was a kid, my dad used to ask me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I told him I wanted to change the world. I have to admit I wasted a few years running the stereotypical rat race but I am done with that. I believe we should all be trying to make this world a better place. I am currently on a mission to expose governmental misconduct and save a man’s life. There is always something that can be done. I am proof of that. One person can make a difference.
I wanted to apologize for the sparse posts. I have been overwhelmed with information that just keeps on coming. That’s a good thing. I just have to get the info out. Bear with me.
I started blogging to expose the corruption in NW Florida. Honestly, I didn’t think it would be so pervasive or cancerous as it is. Allowing predators with badges to continue to terrorize a community is unacceptable and irredeemable. My intent is not to go after Bob Johnson or David Morgan but when all roads of corruption lead back to the people who enable them, ie the Sheriffs in this case. Being the head of an agency empowers the person in that seat. They can make or break lives depending on how they wield their influence and authority. In the cases I’ve been researching, the cases I have, I have found both Johnson & Morgan act as co-conspirators with the deviants they allow to be employed. Scott Haines and Eric Haines are predators who feed on those below them. Johnson & Morgan both know that and feel it business as usual to cover up these brothers’ crimes against their respective communities.
II have been shocked by the openly corrupt practices in Santa Rosa. I thought nothing could be Morgan’s predatory tenure, but I was wrong. Scott Haines beguiling Dorothy Rogers was so heinous I had to look into it. Once I started pulling that thread, so much more came to light. The funny part is that the day I got the call from Dorothy Rogers grandson, I had just had a conversation with a former ECSO deputy. We were talking about all the stuff Eric had done and this former deputy said Scott was obviously the “good” brother. He told me that he didn’t understand how the brothers could be so different. That night the curtain was pulled back showing Scott was just as much of a parasite as Eric. Many others have said similar things because no one was talking about all the shit Scott was doing. I didn’t have an contacts/sources in Santa Rosa. But once I started writing about this, quite a few people have contacted me. I have been told no one has ever brought criticism on the deeds of SRSO. There are various comments of interest on LeoAffairs.com, but without corroboration it is just talk. Now though, things are being dragged out into the light. Most all of it comes back to Scott and Bob Johnson. Now on with the info I have uncovered.
So one of the “Supervisory Inquiries” (that did not rise to the level of an IA, according to Sheriff Bob Johnson) is extremely bold and unbelievably, ruled “unfounded”. It is the encounter in which Scott feared for Brandy Wallace’s safety after her husband, Chris Wallace found out about an affair she had with Scott. So let me see if I understand this: Scott is screwing this guy’s wife and tells his superiors that he fears for Brandy’s safety, prompting all this attention to focus on the husband rather than on him. WTF?
If he feared for her safety at any point prior to “getting caught”, he had a duty to report it. But he waited until he was confronted by superiors to divulge this. That dog don’t hunt. Here is the “unfounded” supervisory inquiry:
I just don’t understand how Haines’s role in the disintegration of this marriage wasn’t an issue. Now let’s juxtapose this incidence in 2017 with the incident in 2020 in Escambia, where Haines tried to force his way into another subordinate’s home–another woman with whom he had a sexual relationship.
There are histrionics with that encounter. I got further insight into that night:
Both of these situations are DV issues, yet there is no fallout for Scott for the second one. Why? If this man, was suicidal, should he be an SRSO active officer?
I thought this little clip was interesting. It is from the “dildo panty” case. It seems if Scott sent pictures to a subordinate of someone else’s penis, it would be ok…..wtf?
I have been blogging about the organized fleecing of Dorothy Rogers for years. Scott Haines is at the helm but others allowed him to stay employed–namely Sheriff Bob Johnson. To say that Haines is anything less than a sexually deviant cancer within the SRSO, would understate the situation. I recently requested all the IA’s for Haines. I was provided 3. In further prodding, it has come to light that there are 10 Supervisory Inquiries (SI’s), which is a way to sidestep official investigations.
Supervisory inquiries, according to Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s General Order J-003 Disciplinary Guidelines and Standards, are done when a complaint on an officer comes in and a supervisor does a mini-investigation to determine the validity of the complaint. I am told by other officers, that it also can be used to dispense discipline in the case of a minor infraction, like in the case of a written coaching or written warning. The offense and the discipline tend to be lesser and does not rise to the level to open an Internal Affairs case. If the complaint alleges criminal activity, an IA must be opened, but not in Santa Rosa.
Now at least 2 of these SI’s are serious allegations that should have triggered IA’s but Sheriffs Hall & Johnson decided to basically dismiss the complaints without real investigations, despite the severity of the claims. The first of the ones I knew about, was in 2012. William Sumner, a former cop, submitted a complaint, commonly referred to as “repo nights”. Sumner claimed Haines used NCIC/FCIC to repossess cars and used the SRSO impound lot to store cars. He would cannibalize cars held there to put on other vehicles. Sumner claimed Haines used other officers log in info to avoid detection. The complaint was dropped and found to be “unfounded” after Sumner avoided speaking to those investigating his complaint. It is my understanding he was aware of or participated in other illegal activities that an interview would uncover. That is the speculative understanding of his reluctance to talk to colleagues of Haines.
This is a typical deflection used to bypass investigating crimes reported. For instance, let’s go back to Naomi Jones’s mother going to ECSO to report her daughter missing and being arrested for a warrant for welfare fraud without the ECSO immediately looking into the missing child. I would have been suspicious of this myself, had I been Sumner. When these agencies, specifically ECSO & SRSO, do not want to give credence to a report given to them, they turn on the messenger who comes to them in good faith. It is common practice. People wonder why there is no relationship between law enforcement and many communities in the Panhandle.
The second SI complaint was filed in 2015 regarding the exploitation of Dorothy Rogers. Matt Groelinger submitted the complaint to Chris Watson regarding the pilfering by Haines of the irrevocable trust, Haines convinced Rogers to revoke in order to make him executer.
An investigator working for Marie Mattox, the attorney representing Groelinger, documented the following:
“It should be noted that Watson made no documented effort to interview any other family members or independent witnesses.
Watson ignored Groelingers request to have Haines cease any business relationship with Eastgate Mobile Home Park even though Groelinger provided documents proving his authority in Skirpan Properties LLC…..Watson documents his recommendation as, This case is to be closed and classified as UNFOUNDED. There is no credible evidence or information of any kind proving that any unethical or illegal acts or policy violations have been committed by Lt. Haines.
Again this isn’t surprising. If you don’t do an investigation or talk to people, then you reserve plausible deniability. It is better to be seen as incompetent than to open Pandora’s box.
Here is a list of the SI’s provided:
I have requested the documents associated with these SI’s. But doesn’t that look like a lot of issues? 9 since 2012 & 2 formal IA’s (2011 & 2019). Why was this cop kept around? I am reminded of an article in the Santa Rosa Gazette on 2018. The following quote by Bob Johnson was made, in reference to Rich Aloy’s assertion that “There is nothing more damaging than a bad cop”:
“So if somebody wants to complain on an officer and I’m out of town, the chief deputy, the major over law enforcement, the captain over law enforcement, can take that complaint,” Johnson said. “You don’t have to give your name but we do need enough information so we can contact you back and let you know the status of your complaint against the officer.….Whatever punishment is due we deal it out all the way up to termination,” Johnson said. “We take it seriously, and if they’re not performing their job as they’re supposed to, that’s a bad reflection on law enforcement (and) the sheriff’s office in general, and we’re not going to tolerate that.”
Everything having to do with Scott Haines is completely contrary to this statement. I would have to say, besides a bad cop, the more damaging thing is to have admin cover up for that bad cop. Those are the people who should know better and bear the burden on insuring the safety of the public. Since this cover-up is not a duty of any officer or elected official, those actions occur outside their official roles, thereby taking on professional liability and personal liability. This is the one exception to the immunity provided to protect such officials in the course of their duties within their positioning. Once they step outside the scope of that duty and act upon that, the immunity is waived.
It seems Bob has joined the ranks of some of his Escambia County counterparts. What a shame! He was thought to be a more honest Sheriff. It appears those do not exist after all.
This is a report done on October 28, 2020, shortly after midnight. Scott Haines attempted to force his way into a co-worker’s door. Other co-workers weigh in. Unsurprisingly, this does not trigger an IA investigation in Santa Rosa.
Former Sheriff Morgan paid $75k on 2 bronze statutes to put in front of the ECSO. He used money that should have been used on resources internally like upgrading equipment, investigations and training. I don’t know how many times over the years I have said this jackass routinely misuses funds he is in charge of. Look at the money piddled away on political capital via the LET funds. The back pay of the deputies that is still in limbo and hasn’t been paid out to date. The Honorable Sheriff came up with an algorithm to give the deputies their dues. It spreads them out over time. But so many of those guys have been forced out of the agencies before they got what was due. What happened to that money???
Morgan was rumored to have misused a government credit card when he was in the Air Force. I definitely see a pattern of behavior. There are so many other times he has been irresponsibly played with funds. When you have accounting officials skimming for years, without detection, you must question the oversight of all monies into and out of this agency. If there are checks and balances, embezzlement would be detected in short order. But the CFO Henrique Dias never scrutinized anything, because he was too busy manipulating other monies at the behest of Morgan. Then you have Pam Childers, the comptroller, who doesn’t verify funds are spent appropriately concerning LET funds. What else is she not looking at?
This statute is so characteristic of this egomaniac, His malignant narcissism (Malignant narcissism is a psychological syndrome comprising an extreme mix of narcissism, antisocial personality disorder and sadism. ) will not allow him to quietly fade into the ether. He has shown time and time again that his overblown sense of self importance exists in every action and every word he uses.
Now he has agreed to buy the his own statute. But shouldn’t he pay for both? Potts could not have commissioned and approved spending on a statute of himself. Morgan did. So why is Chip allowing the money on that statute be wasted as well?
Andy Marlette chimed in:
After news of the shameful sculpture broke, Morgan later took to a radio show staged by uncritical questions from his personal friend and InWeekly publisher Rick Outzen to claim that he would reimburse the cost of his statue. Outzen said that would make the story “go away.”
Yeah right!! This is just the beginning. Outzen is completely disconnected to anything dealing with Morgan and his misdeeds.
Strangely enough, Marlette wants this to be put out on display.
The sculpture of Morgan is an allegory.
Just as the crowned lady near Ellis Island represents “liberty” or the blindfolded scale-bearer represents “justice,” the self-commissioned self-portrait of David Morgan will forever stand as a perfectly fitting portrayal of Pensacola’s political class.
It embodies the ongoing shame and shortcomings of self-obsessed white men who have consistently wormed themselves into the highest perches of power. Yes, it is a statue of David Morgan. But it is also a reflection of ourselves. A symbol of our community. A sign of the times.
And this is why it must stand — as public art that tells an important and ongoing public story about those who hold power in this place we all call home…..But let it be seen
This little rant is reminiscent of the same argument I and others have made in the past. Isn’t that justification to have the Confederate monuments stand? Morgan has harmed so many people in the community and if it is necessary to memorialize him as a symbol of the era of his reign, then it is just as necessary to memorialize the other men of the community and their actions/legacy. Morgan has been responsible for the community losing good deputies, not acting on sexual predators within his command, misappropriating money that benefitted him only and this is just part of his betrayal of public trust. Hundreds, if not thousands, have been victimized by Morgan. Let’s not forget the astonishing growth of his net worth while being a public servant.. The millionaire sheriff.
So come on Marlette, let’s keep all the statues where they belong in the public forum, to remind people of the atrocities. This is a direct parallel, except the Confederates didn’t personally commission their own statutes. The community made that decision. But hey, Confederate officers deserve to be relegated to a corner of a museum. We don’t want anyone remembering history. Better they should not take heed of past event, to more easily facilitate repetition of such things.
It is with regret that I must inform you, friends, and political supporters of my decision to withdraw from the 2022 Mayoral Race. Family medical issues, which I had prayed would resolve by years end will not.
Those with political experience know that campaigns are high energy and intensive affairs, where candidates and their families must be solely committed to the effort. It is not fair to a candidates supporters, and the process itself, to continue knowing you cannot remain fully engaged.
We of course will be refunding all campaign contributions. Any expenditures to date will be paid by me.
Susan and I thank all of you for your encouragement and support. You will all be forever in our hearts.
Sincerely, David Morgan
I am doing a post about the campaign donations later. I would like to address the “medical reasons” listed and the speculation that has been brought to me the last couple of days.
Most people are not aware of medical issues Morgan faced in his last 2 years or so of his tenure. He was frequently not at the ECSO; he traveled extensively, including trips out of the country. Personnel in the office claimed he was looking rough, losing weight. It was easily recognizable that he was ill. These trips, throughout the country and internationally, left personnel speculating that he was seemingly hiding his treatment for some reason. It was the Sheriff’s health that was, in question. I say that because there were many people who were told Susan Morgan had cancer right around the time he was elected. People were told Susan had stage 4 cancer. Anything over a year was a blessing. As a child of someone who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, I know what that means. To say Morgan misrepresented her condition is a vast understatement. If you are stage 4 cancer patient, the prognosis of survival of more than 5 years is nearly nil. It has been 12 years since this was asserted. Susan has been very social and vibrant. Morgan’s claim that she had stage 4 cancer 12-13 years ago, makes it appear as though this was an untrue claim, at least, in part, if not, in full.
Just because I question this doesn’t mean every person is not afforded the right to their health privacy, including either of the Morgans. But I did not put health into the ether as an issue relating to either of them. I would have not mentioned any of these health issues had he not cited medical issues for his decision to bow out of the race.
Medical reasons were given with Marcille when he bowed out from the State attorney election. It has not been an issue that anyone can see, giving way to the idea it was less about medical reasons and more about not being able to win against Ginger Bowden-Madden. So this standard dictum could be an excuse that no one could question. Having said that, it has been brought to my attention that someone affiliated with the agency recently passed away. This person’s death has been very ambiguously described. I have been told it had nothing to do with Covid. It was “autoimmune” related somehow and any other specifics are being hushed. This person was named in the Leah Manning Sex Ring case, as was Morgan. Now I absolutely understand the right to medical privacy. There is no intent to slander anyone or to assume a conclusion that was not already speculated by many, but this does raise obvious questions.
Is his withdrawl from the race now sheer coincidence? Maybe. Maybe Morgan bowed out because the Billings case is quickly turning into his worst nightmare. It’s possible questions and concerns I shared about the Citizen P.I. with the show runner in London created concern. I contacted Steve McLaughlin and shared my concerned about the hacked email between a journalist and Patrick Gonzalez Jr., published by Outzen. He was not privy to see, much less publish. He even mentions; he couldn’t be sure it was from Patrick, but he was willing publish it. That is unethical at the least, criminal at the worst. I also mentioned Patrick was not represented by counsel who was fully working on his behalf when the production company reached out.
Then, of course, there is the FBI corruption investigation in Santa Rosa County. Scott Haines, Eric Haines’s brother, had several hard drives seized that opened “Pandora’s Box”. Morgan is one degree of separation from that, very possibly zero degrees. All of these things may have proved to be just too much shit to overcome for Ye Olde Sheriff. Maybe his health is really to blame. I doubt it is his wife’s health. because I have my reservations about her being that ill at all.
This post is merely me putting forward things that come to my attention that has not otherwise been discussed publicly. Draw your own conclusions. I am just relieved Morgan’s mayoral run is over. It was laughable to even entertain, but I know the “powers that be” don’t need it to make sense. They just need to get a person in they can control. Well I must admit, Morgan has been a good tool for the GOB.
So after being alerted about the following blip on Rick’s Blog:
This is highly disturbing to me. I have spent almost 10 years devoting every bit of energy, looking for the truth in this case. While I’ve had small breakthroughs and victories over the years, in the last few months have seen real game changing developments. Rakeem Florence spontaneously recants, in a sworn affidavit. An attorney Patrick has had for years reveals a conflict of interest that is finally revealed to be information from another client that exonerates Patrick. Said info was offered to the state attorney, Russ Edgar, to get this other client a reduced sentence in a state RICO case. Edgar said there were verdicts by that point (in 2011) that he wasn’t interested in any info in exchange for a deal. This is huge governmental misconduct. Now with this info, and the changes in the case that will develop very quickly, this producer Jill who has been working with Rick Outzen and Sheriff Morgan wants to air a show that is already factually inaccurate to provide Outzen and Morgan national airtime to defame and slander Patrick. WTF?? Since Patrick’s attorney asked to be recused based on his conflict, there was no attorney assigned until Thursday last week. This attorney doesn’t have any background on the case prior to this show airing.
The case against Patrick Gonzalez is literally falling apart. In May, Rakeem Florence provided an affidavit to the court (routed to Judge Jan Shackleford), recanting his testimony. He specifically says he was told what to say by John Molchan. Even in his last testimony against Donnie Stallworth, Michelle Hendrix, Stallworth’s attorney, brought out on the stand that Florence wanted to withdraw his plea agreement.
Getting back to the show that is set to air this week, piece by Damien Cave just after the closing of this investigation:
“ In interviews, he says the Billings case, and the idea of a contract hit, has grabbed him because “I can’t stand to think someone could order a killing and get away with it.”.”
The irony of this is that Outzen had access to magnitudes of info and did get some solid info, which he provided to me back in 2015 ( I was able to corroborate most all of it). From his info, public documents and talking to deputies, family friends of the victims and many other people with peripheral info, I have been able to disclose many investigation anomalies, leads not investigated and DNA reports explicitly showing the exclusion of everyone in prison for the crime. My question for Rick in 2015 was why he had not done anything with this information? A man’s life is on the line. He was quick to tell me his intent was not to show Patrick Gonzalez was innocent but, to bring the truth to light. The truth IS what shows Patrick’s innocence. That seems to be where the breakdown came from for Outzen. He had no real interest in exonerating Patrick.
Still pressing him for an answer as to why he didn’t follow the information, his reply was :
On the Billings case, I wish I had more time to devote to it, but my plate is full. I have a study filled with transcripts, files and notes on the case. My agenda isn’t to prove Patrick is innocent. It’s to find the truth. There are lots of disjointed facts, missing pieces and leads that never got followed.
In a phone call, he and I had, he went on to say, “life moves on; there is no real interest in this case”. WTF? Since I became aware of all the stuff Outzen knew, I have not been able to do anything else but help. My conscience will not let me just walk away. HELLO, a man’s life literally on the line. Is it really right to not follow the truth, even if it exonerates someone like Patrick, who Outzen, clearly, has no real desire to clear?
A person should not lose his life or sit in jail for a crime he did not commit. I agree Patrick is not the most sympathetic person wronged in the world, but if he’s not guilty of killing the Billings, then he should not be thrown in a cell, allowing the true killer go free. That seems to be something that is foreign to Mr. Outzen, despite the fact he claims that was his motivation in 2009. But I think Outzen’s loyalty to David Morgan would have or did get in the way for his quest for “the truth”. Morgan is heavily invested in his narrative to this crime. Anyone doubting that should be reminded of this picture in his office.
This picture is so contrived. How many other victims has Morgan hugged in a press conference in the 11 years since this picture was taken? What is there past connection that makes this interaction normal? Or is it because it made it to televisions across the world? It is disingenuous theatre. And how will it look when all the information comes to light regarding the confidential informant coming forward to exonerate Patrick?
More importantly, will Ashley Markham be implicated in the murders of her parents? She inherited everything, properties, businesses, and the most lucrative asset, the kids. Yet there is no official statement to the police. Why is that? There is no answer to that question.
A couple of years ago, I posted a graphic with different info but here is one facet:
Justice is beckoning. We are the precipice of this case being overturned for those wrongfully imprisoned. Yet this show, will have you believe otherwise. As much as I usually like shows like Citizen P.I., I do not believe this is the only case being presented in purely fictitious manner.
The following is the email I sent the production company:
My name is Jimmie Staley. I am a blogger and attorney-in-fact for Patrick Gonzalez Jr. I am aware of your show regarding the murder that landed Gonzalez Jr. convicted and sentenced to death row. I know you may not be aware that this case is literally falling apart. On June 10th, 2021, in an open court hearing, it was revealed the state had arrested a man on the periphery of this case in 2011. This man offered to give the state the real shooter, exonerating Patrick Gonzalez, but the State refused to hear the testimony/evidence. That is a huge violation of Gonzalez Jr’s rights. He had already been convicted and sentenced. This came about because this other man was represented by the attorney assigned to Patrick. He was explaining why he must be recused. His prior representation of this other man created the conflict of interest. He said in open court that he approached the State attorney and was told they were not interested in this evidence.
This is the 2nd blow to this case in 6 weeks. Rakeem Florence, one of the two co-conspirators who testified that Gonzalez Jr. was the shooter, recanted. The State Attorney threatened this man that he was facing an additional 15 years for perjury in a capital case.
Your show is about to air as this case is about to explode destroying the state and the Sheriff’s narrative in this case. The Innocence Project is considering this case. Because Gonzalez Jr was excluded as the shooter according to the dna collected from the victim’s fingernails.
I can provide you with any proof you need to support what I’ve asserted. Your show risks defamation and slander of a wrongfully convicted man. The majority of the people arrested and who are most likely innocent are Black and Hispanic. Gonzalez Jr. is a minority. This is a textbook case of false confessions by the state. They got testimonies from young black men who were threatened with lethal injection to elicit confessions that are not consistent with each other or the evidence.
The case against Gonzalez Jr. is evidentially anemic. The van asserted to be the van on the surveillance camera was not his. Blue Markham, the victims’ son in law told police it absolutely was a van he sold to the man involved in the Rico case who was the first primary suspect.
Please consider these facts. I hope you do the right thing and not add insult to injury to Gonzalez Jr. This communication makes you aware of the inconsistencies prior to the airing of this show. This was a high profile case that created political favor for the Sheriff who is now running for Mayor. Other than a few of the sheriff’s flunkies, this case has been exposed as a farce to the majority of the Panhandle community. No one believes the official narrative for various reasons including the above facts. You see, I have been researching this case and contacted many people myself as a civilian. I have uncovered these facts that even the attorneys never had. This is a complex case but when you get down to the evidence, it is non existent. I hope you review what I have said. Check my website, billingsmurder.com and conjuringjsutice.com. This is my full time project. I am also a trusted friend of Gonzalez Jr. The real story is his, which no one has heard as of yet.
Thank you for anticipated cooperation.
Jimmie Staley
“Once a profound truth has been seen, it cannot be ‘unseen’. There’s no ‘going back’ to the person you were. Even if such a possibility did exist… why would you want to?”
On June 21st, the PNJ ran an article about a foundation, The Escambia County Sheriff Foundation. This foundation’s mission is, as follows:
“The Escambia County Sheriff Foundation, Inc. is a public 501 (c) (3) organization formed to support the mission and employees of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. We will work to further and foster engagement opportunities while promoting public safety through community outreach. The Foundation will endeavor to improve the quality of life for every citizen in Escambia County.“
There are a few things wrong with this whole thing. While it is supposed to “divorce” the LET money expenditures for the ECSO, it then becomes an agency that handles that money and is less transparent. Let me explain: On April 6, 2018, as part of a huge voucher, the Panhandle Charitable Open received $20K from LET. According to WEAR, after the event, in November that year, $300K was raised, which will benefit 27 non-profits in the area. Now, to explain what the process should be:
The fundraiser fills out an application for the LET funds
The Sheriff approves it
Then it goes to the BOCC for approval.
The check is cut to the charity.
Then the agency receiving the funds must provide an accounting of the LET money as a way to make sure it is properly spent. This is the ECSO’s responsibility.
Lastly, it is submitted to the clerk of court for an audit by them to make sure all the players did what they should.
In Escambia County, as it has under Morgan, this is the process:
The charity can fill out the application, or Morgan offers them money.
He approves it and cuts a check.
He then submits to the BOCC for reimbursement. Since the ECSO, is using their general fund to pay the charity, against statute, the BOCC is more than compelled to reimburse without question.
And no one follows up on how the money is spent. The financial officer at the ECSO advised me that he is not responsible for that follow up paperwork; the clerk of court is. When I emailed the clerk, she acted like I was speaking a foreign language. She claims she didn’t know to check for that, she never has and frankly thought I was making up the particulars of the Statute. I also had to explain that as Comptroller, she is supposed to be the final verification of things being done correctly. She responded by telling me that Bill Eddins had worked out an agreement with the BOCC and worked around that. I told her she can’t be directed to not follow the statute. If the SA is telling you to do something that basically gives a pass on fiscal accountability. The email exchange is here.
Getting back to this foundation, I am not a criminal mastermind, but here is a scenario that seems like a way this process can be perverted. This purely an example I can see happening, since we are still playing by Morgan’s rules, let us review the Panhandle Open from requests funds from LET ($20K in 2017; $30K in 2018); it is approved; the Panhandle Open distributes the money to various charities without accountability to the ECSO. Then these charities can in turn, can use the money to “donate” to this ECSO foundation. It could even end up in a candidate’s donations. Now it is clean….laundered. The more people shuffle the money, the more chance there is for misappropriation PERIOD!
I mentioned the campaign donations because over the years, I have had a few people who were at charity events where Morgan bestowed LET money is a celebratory fashion. He literally handed the chair of organization a check and with the other hand, received checks in exchange. This was done openly and like I said a few people saw this and did not know it was wrong. But it is money laundering.
This list is not all inclusive. This is just one problem with this foundation.
The second issue is the composition of the board of directors. It is made up of people that are sketchy. The president is Brian Williams. He is connected to contractors that are committing fraud each day. That is another post soon to be released. The vice president is Whitny Lucas, the wife of a ECSO garage employee Jake Lucas. She is also the girlfriend of Chip Simmons, who is her husband’s boss. This all was revealed in another post.
There are other people on the board, such as Andy Hobbs who is a part of the admin who was promoted because of who he knew, not merit and he is a good friend of Chip. Of course, Tommy Lyter is in the mix. We have Chris Roney who is connected to Williams via Big Brothers & Big Sisters, an organization that was provided for lavishly by LET funds. We also have a Studer connection in DC Reeves. It is mixed in with Lewis Bear’s family. Unfortunately, they are backing Morgan for his mayoral run. This foundation is sit up in the midst of a corrupt agency, not yet cleaned from Morgan; the oversight of the money people who have an interest in receiving LET money. This foundation is easily susceptible to corruption and connected to a corrupt agency…well I think you get the picture.
So we have a vulnerable agency, not so-level board members and money. Draw your own conclusion.
FYI Corruption has certain characteristics, abuse of power (political favors), bribery/coercion, misappropriation of funds, money laundering and eventually tax evasion. All this equals RICO.
THE STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE OF THE FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA
It has already been reported that John Molchan publicly threatened Rakeem Florence with perjury in a capital case if he recants. Not a surprising move since Florence asserts that Molchan directed his testimony. So now, of course, Molchan is trying to prevent him from recanting.
Jpay email from Rakeem Florence on 5/22/2021
Now another monkey wrench has been thrown in Molchan’s efforts to prevent the truth from surfacing in this case. An attorney assigned to Gonzalez Jr. disclosed he had a conflict of interest because this attorney had represented someone ,who was not charged in this case, that has knowledge of what transpired that July night in 2009. The “confidential informant” has information that will exonerate Gonzalez Jr. This was discussed on the record in hearing.
So if Molchan were truly pursuing justice, he would want to make sure this death penalty case was handled fairly. Up until now, he has had no interest in making sure the conviction was sound.
Gonzalez Jr. had a hearing on June 10, 2021. This hearing was to discuss the reason his newly appointed attorney claimed he had a conflict and could not handle his case. The attorney disclosed to Judge Geeker and State Attorney Molchan that he previously represented someone on the periphery of the Billings case in a case unrelated to the murders. This person disclosed info about what happened in the house on that July night to his attorney. Being jammed up, this person had his attorney try to negotiate a deal for him on his case by providing information that would change everything in the Billings cases. Here’s what he says:
..
The State Attorney’s office was not interested in justice or truth. A white collar crime trumped the truth. That pesky paperwork to deal with verdicts already out there., there was no real time for that. Mr. Molchan, tell me again, why you are offended by the implication that you are anything but ethical??
This is a death penalty case….is it really too much to ask that things be done right?
I am writing this to obtain clarity after your pronouncement that Rakeem Florence’s recantation was moot due to the fact there was overwhelming evidence and his testimony being corroborated by the surveillance video. I take exception to both statements, specifically in the Patrick Gonzalez Jr. case.
I want to first remind you that this young man was a black 16 year old. He knew people that were on the periphery of this investigation. Your former boss, Mr. Eddins, informed the public this is a capital case. Florence is of the demographic most prone to false confessions. He is the only person of color, besides his family members, when he is interviewed by law enforcement. The circumstances of the crime, ie the media circus, the Sheriff constantly on television calling for public outrage as well as public help in finding the perpetrators of these murders, all culminate in a situation that probably seems like a no win situation to young black man. Imagine coming forward with information (which he & Thornton got straight on the way to police station) and realizing you could easily become a scapegoat. He was in over his head when he got there. Even his mother thought he only knew about some aspect of the murder; she did not believe her son was there.
This is an excerpt of the cross examination by Michelle Hendrix of Florence in Donnie Stallworth’s 2nd trial, which ended in a hung jury.
Do you know if Florence or Thornton ever talked to Hugh Wiggins, prior to them coming forward?
Here is a story that Gary Sumner’s mother told to me. Prior to the murders, Sumner and Wiggins had a business arrangement. Wiggins provided some capital to help Sumner stay afloat. As so, Wiggins called Sumner and told him he had dropped off a white van, after hours, at the shop. The next morning, Gary gets in and grabs the keys left in the dropbox. He gets into the van to move it inside. He claims there were 4 dead bodies in the back. He got out of the van, called Hugh to say the message was received. He believed it was a threat. Now whether you believe this story or not. It does not even matter if it was true. All that matters is that the teenagers thought it was true.
Also, I find it fascinating that you never called Florence to testify in Stallworth’s third trial, but I do know why. Michelle Hendrix impeached him with all the other testimonies he gave in the other cases, ex. Coldiron, Gonzalez Jr. etc. She really proved his testimony was worthless. Despite that you seem absolutely sure he was telling the truth. I am going to take a moment to speculate why you are all on-board with Florence and his testimony. I think you are more invested in this story than you are about finding the truth. Morgan conducted a shotty investigation, which the SAO never questioned just prosecuted. No one seriously looked at the family, who should have been scrutinized because they financially gained so much from their parents death. Morgan is a keystone cop. And yet, you took this far-fetched narrative rather than looking at the real issues. Here are some really good suspects: Hugh Wiggins, Justin Billings, Cab Tice. Remember originally Blue Markham told police he sold the van used in the crime to Cab Tice.
Here is just some of the cross-examination by Hendrix:
In fact, Florence tried to withdraw his plea on April 27, 2011. Yet now you seem to think Florence is disingenuous. This young man is the prime demographic of the textbook case of false confessions. As Ms. Hendrix proved in her cross-examination, his testimony was never consistent. He was not a good witness and you realized this as well. You opted not to put him on the stand in Stallworth’s third trial. It seems obvious you believe Florence was single-handedly the reason the jury was hung. So in your repetitive trials against Stallworth, after running him out of money, forcing him to opt for a public defender, you did not investigate whether there was something hinky with Florence’s testimony. You could and definitely should have further inquired as to why his story was ever changing. I mean, if the interest is in justice, that would have been the only prudent course. Yet your concern was the win; it was never justice.
Interestingly, I emailed Rakeem and asked him to explain what he called “evidence” of his coercion. This is his reply:
I hope, Mr. Molchan, you realize he is asserting you coerced him and provided the narrative that was factually questionable. You mention that the video surveillance corroborates both Florence’s testimony and Thornton’s testimony. It sounds like the reason it matches the video is because you crafted his testimony. Now ethically, it plainly looks to be improper for you to blast him on the news, knowing he does not have the same access to those media resources you have. Nevertheless, you are the one saying his recantation is moot, especially since he is accusing you of coercing this testimony. Convenient.
OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE
In reading every page of the thousands of documents dumped into the public domain prior to trial & the trial transcripts, I must presume you either do not know what evidence is, or you are so arrogant to think the pittance of information presented in Gonzalez Jr.’s trial, would put him on death row if presented today.
Here are some excerpts from the trial transcript of Mr. Eddins’s opening statement:
The above is from pg 246 of the transcript volume 2 of the Patrick Gonzalez Jr. Trial.
The highlighted portion is misleading. There was no “proof” only testimony by admitted co-conspirators.
This entire section is factually anemic because Leonard Gonzalez Sr. never testified in his son’s case, nor was his statement entered into evidence. In fact, this is a violation of Rule 4-3.4(E) of the RULES REGULATING THE FLORIDA BAR. That rule provides: A lawyer shall not … in trial, allude to any matter that the lawyer does not reasonably believe is relevant or that will not be supported by admissible evidence, assert personal knowledge of facts in issue except when testifying as a witness, or state a personal opinion as to the justness of a cause, the credibility of a witness, the culpability of a civil litigant, or the guilt or innocence of an accused. The state attorney was doing none of these things; he was exaggerating the totality of the evidence. This statement alludes to Sr. testimony which was never admitted. Carol Brant was Sr.’s common law wife and her testimony would only be admissible if it were corroborating Sr’s testimony, but it was not. These statements potentially taint the jury with facts which were never admitted into evidence, such as the Brady violation by not submitting the most recent criminal history of Smith and Eisa which was unknown by the defense and would have contributed to the weight their testimony carried to the jury.
Mr. Molchan, to recap, there was no legitimate, untainted testimony evidence that Gonzalez Jr. plotted anything. Not to point out the obvious but Thornton’s testimony was concocted in tandem with Florence’s.
As for the physical evidence, your office destroyed the red van you claimed was used in the crime. That evidence is no longer admissible. Carol Brant passed away. So, there are two co-conspirators, who developed their story together and now one has said it was false. You have no credible person to say Jr. plotted this crime. As for physical evidence. In the video, the shooter grabs Bud and Bud grabbed him in this struggle. This is confirmed by the only eyewitness, the child in the room. GMA reported the child stated:
There is DNA under Bud’s nails. And a profile for that DNA was developed. But Patrick Gonzalez Jr. is excluded as a contributor.
There is no DNA evidence to put Jr. at the seen or any of his DNA on any clothing. And let’s talk about the guns. The murder weapon was never linked to Gonzalez Jr. except by Hugh Wiggins who had possession of all the guns, the bloody clothes and the safe. Now tell me why he would not be the logical suspect? Remind me again who the owner of the weapons was. There seems to be no report showing the ATF established whose guns they were. You have Jr.’s fingerprints on the 2 of the guns not shot in this crime. You never established he did anything but touch those guns. Let’s say he did touch them, there is no evidence to suggest he touched those guns that night or during any crucial timeframe. Fingerprints do no come with a time stamp.
Morgan is a keystone cop and the SAO hitched its wagon to his “investigation”. Your office did not question it when he did not investigate the family, the people with the most to gain. What about Cab Tice? Remember Blue Markham told investigators that he sold the van used in the crime to Cab.
With real leads uninvestigated, how in the hell can you claim you are competent. There is so much reasonable doubt,. To sum it up, no physical evidence, no credible circumstantial evidence, leads not investigated. If Gonzalez Jr.’s case was tried today, how could you justify the amount of energy and taxpayer dollars you wasted aggressively pursuing a unviable set of cases. These are people’s lives, Mr. Molchan. There is so many unanswered questions, and you are a public servant. Years ago, I was told there is “no justice in Florida”. I have to say there seems to be so much tunnel vision.
Checkmate, Mr. Molchan. Your case is inviable. It’s time to put your ego aside and find the truth.
Conjuring Justice 