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Tuesday, March 5, 2024

I Got a Call from the Florida Division of Ethics Yesterday.......



....And was asked if I would be attending the Show Cause Hearing in Tallahassee this Friday morning at 7:30 AM Central Standard Time.

I filed an ethics complaint against Jonathan Owens who illegally possesses a copy of stolen county files, the complaint I initiated was investigated, and the Advocate (prosecutor) for the Ethics Commission has filed a brief that details the complaint and her finding that Florida Ethics Law was violated by Owens.

Meanwhile, the county has sued Owens and others for the return of the stolen county files.

The FBI and others are also investigating this for possible criminal violation(s).

And the county is awaiting a judge's ruling in the civil matter which hearing has already happend and  will next (hopefully) allow for multiple depositions to happen to help the county ascertain precisely who unlawfully possesses copies of these stolen files--so we can amend/perfect our claim to add those additional persons to the suit.

Meanwhile-----the Ethics commission will hear from the Advocate and from Owens' attorney at this hearing Friday--after which time the Commission will vote on the matter.

After the vote, if the Commission agrees with the advocate, the matter will either end up with a negotiated settlement between Owens and the Commission--or it will head to the Division of Administrative Hearing for that body to settle the compaint.

I'm told that because Owens' attorney has waived confidentiality--his hearing Friday will be livestreamed on the Ethics Commissions YouTube Page (here).

The agenda is here

The live video will be at this YouTube Channel at 7:30 CST.

Interestingly--Andrew Tallman's opinion show on AM 1620  has been as silent as a church mouse on this matter, as has other media outlets besides Rick's Blog.  I wonder if Tallman will cover this hearing and try to come up with some way to portray Owens as a victim in all of this............Yawn,

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

What's more interesting to me is your silence regarding last week's court proceedings against Pam Childers. Not a peep from you or from Rick Outzen. Hmmmmm

Anonymous said...

Spot on

Anonymous said...

Owens gambled by waiving confidentiality hoping he would win and vilify you. But, the advocate called his bet and he had 5 different cards, a total bust, and he lost. Now all will see him disciplined in slow motion, just like his boss, underhill. Of course, Andrew on 1620 will spin it in favor of the cult of no common sense. It’s strange how supposed neutral media , Andrew 1620, really pick sides, regardless of the facts. Of course, the advocate sees Owen’s crimes. I wonder if Andrew will say the ethics commission is corrupt and have it out for Owned. Sad.

Anonymous said...

You do realize that it’s only a probable cause hearing. It’s not a finding that any ethical violations have in fact been committed, only that probable causes exists to move forward with an administrative hearing. He might be holding pocket Ace’s for all we know? Guess we will see tomorrow what his defense is.

Anonymous said...

You linked the incorrect YouTube link for the live stream. (I'd suggest a tech savvy assistant or something with how that's been going.)

Correct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrJC84Hs2e4

The stream is on the First District Court of Appeal's channel, not the Florida Commission on Ethics channel.

Hope this points anyone misguided in the correct direction! :)

Political Advertisement Paid For and Approved by Jeff Bergosh, Republican for Escambia Commission D1