Federal Judge Rules Sheriff Must Participate In ‘Sex Ring’ Lawsuit Deposition (With Video)
July 4, 2019
[UPDATED} A federal judge Wednesday afternoon denied a motion by Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan not to be deposed in a federal lawsuit that alleges he was involved in a sex ring and then took steps to halt an internal affairs investigation.
Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth M. Timothy’s order means Morgan will be required to attend a deposition Friday afternoon at 1:00.
Leah and Doug Manning were convicted in state court for sexual activities that included their own underage twin daughters. Escambia County deputy Walter Thomas was also convicted. All three were sentenced to 25 years or more in prison.
Now legal age adults, the twin daughters are suing Morgan. The lawsuits allege Morgan “tolerated the sexual activities” with deputies and other ECSO employees “because of his friendship and personal relationship with mother (Leah Manning).”
Morgan is denying the allegations, and Wednesday afternoon held joint press conference and meeting with all personnel not on active duty protecting the public.
It is that press conference that led in part to the federal judge’s order. (Watch the entire press conference below.)
“A final point bears mention. At approximately 1:15 p.m., on July 3, 2019, Defendant Morgan held a press conference during which he addressed this case, and in particular some of the sensitive matters discussed in the instant filings. His willingness to voluntarily appear and publically answer questions (identical or similar to those Plaintiff’s counsel wishes to ask of him at his deposition) undermines any claim that his deposition testimony should be sealed. It likewise undermines his claim that as a high ranking public official he should not be compelled to testify, as he voluntarily appeared on air and voluntarily answered questions about this case posed to him by the media,” the judge wrote in her order.
Morgan’s attorneys had argued that he should not required to give a deposition in the lawsuits.
“Plaintiffs have failed to establish any reason why the deposition of the Sheriff is required, except for the purpose of a fishing expedition for irrelevant information. All of their claims against the Sheriff are in his official capacity regarding the policies and practices of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Such information can be obtained through other discovery and/or the depositions of lesser ranking officials,” court filings say.
Leah Manning claimed, according to a court document, that she had sex with Morgan on about five occasions, and that there is video that shows a half-naked Morgan in a hotel bed. She also claims the family dog was named “David” after the sheriff.
Morgan said he has never had contact with the Mannings and he had no supervision or influence on the investigation. The case was not directly investigated by the ECSO; it was handled by the State Attorney’s Office.
“I haven’t met someone, how can I have sex with them?” the sheriff said Wednesday. He also denied the video claim, and denied that he ever had any contact with the Mannings. The alleged video has not been made available.
During the investigation, phone numbers of a number of deputies were found in Leah Manning’s phone, including a number for Morgan.
Morgan said Thursday that the number in the Manning’s phone was his official cell number, not his personal cell or a landline. He said the investigation revealed that none of these numbers had contact with Manning’s phone.
“This whole case is fueled by rumors and innuendos and Facebook postings,” the sheriff said, “where a lie repeated often enough becomes the truth.”
Boil Water Notice Issued For Part Of Cantonment After Broken Water Main
July 4, 2019
**UPDATE: THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE HAS BEEN LIFTED.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued by ECUA for customers in the Cantonment area due to a 12-inch water main break Wednesday evening Muscogee Road near Mintz Lane.
The notice is in effect for:
- Muscogee Road, between Pace Parkway and Highway 29
- 102-126 Mintz Lane. (west side of the street only)
- Becks Lake Road, between Highway 29 and 325 Becks Lake Road
- Stone Boulevard
Boil water notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Residents located in the specified PBWN area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours.
Residents within the PBWN area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at 850-476-0480 for assistance.
Farm Bureau: July 4th Cookout Costing About The Same This Year
July 4, 2019
A cookout of Americans’ favorite foods for July 4th, including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade and watermelon, will cost just a few cents more this year, coming in at less than $6 per person, says the American Farm Bureau Federation.
“Strong consumer demand for beef and growth in U.S. meat production has led to higher ground beef prices but lower pork spare rib prices for the 4th of July,” said AFBF Chief Economist Dr. John Newton.
AFBF’s summer cookout menu for 10 people consists of hot dogs and buns, cheeseburgers and buns, pork spare ribs, deli potato salad, baked beans, corn chips, lemonade, ketchup, mustard and watermelon for dessert.
“Pork production in 2019 continues to increase compared to year-ago levels. Increased supplies and competition in the meat case at the grocery contributed to lower spare rib prices,” Newton said.
With milk production record-high in 2019 and cheese production increasing, consumers will see lower cheese prices this grilling season.
New this year, AFBF tracked the average cost of 1.5 quarts of vanilla ice cream ($3.58). Including ice cream brings the total for the July 4th cookout to $56.38, which is still under $6 per person.
A total of 114 Farm Bureau members in 34 states served as “volunteer shoppers,” checking retail prices for July 4th cookout foods at their local grocery stores for this informal survey.
The July 4th cookout survey is part of the Farm Bureau marketbasket series, which also includes the popular annual Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Survey of common food staples Americans use to prepare meals at home.
The year-to-year direction of the marketbasket survey tracks closely with the federal government’s Consumer Price Index report for food at home. Both the index and the marketbasket remain relatively flat compared to year-ago levels.
“Through the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer food expenditures for food eaten at home and away from home. During 2017, farmers received approximately 14.6 cents of every food marketing dollar, according to the Agriculture Department’s revised Food Dollar Series. However, after accounting for the costs of production, U.S. farmers net 7.8 cents per food dollar,” Newton said.
As online grocery shopping continues to capture consumer interest, a survey of popular online grocery services reveals the 13 items included in the AFBF July 4th survey cost more than $70, 38% higher.
One Injured In Highway 95A Crash
July 4, 2019
One person was reported injured in a two-vehicle collision Wednesday night on Highway 95A just south of Roberts Road. The injuries were not considered life threatening. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barber, click to enlarge.
Happy Independence Day Weekend
July 4, 2019
Happy Independence Day weekend from NorthEscambia.com! These are the Boy Scouts of Troop 430 in Molino. They placed the flags alongside Highway 29 in front of Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Beach Tolls Of Any Kind During Holiday Weekend
July 4, 2019
All tolls to Pensacola Beach will be waived this Fourth of July holiday weekend…that means no $1 cash toll, no Toll-by-Plate and no Sunpass needed to cross the Bob Sikes Bridge.
Commissioner Robert Bender will use about $65,000 from discretionary District 4 funds to make up the lost tolls through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 7. All lanes will be open for all drivers with no need to stop at the toll booth. Sunpass holders will not be charged during this period for using the Bob Sikes Bridge.
“The past two weekends have showed us that not stopping to pay cash via the Toll-by-Plate system dramatically helped to reduce travel time to the beach. We had very positive feedback on the greatly improved drive time during high volume periods when only electronic payment was in use, but I also understand that there was confusion on when cash payments were accepted. By District 4 paying the tolls this weekend, it allows us to move traffic faster and lets everyone enjoy the beach without worrying about the payment process,” Bender said. “This is not a a permanent solution, but gets us all through this busy weekend with one less worry as we work on a more long-term fix.”
Above and below: A live look at Pensacola Beach traffic at the toll plaza.
Vehicles And Guns Stolen, Other Vehicles Burglarized In Cantonment
July 3, 2019
Two vehicles were stolen and eight others were burglarized in the same Cantonment neighborhood. All were unlocked.
The crimes were discovered Tuesday on Harlington and Joshua streets.
Two guns were also taken from vehicles, according to Maj. Andrew Hobbs of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
“Always make sure your vehicle is locked,” Hobbs said. “We all get in a hurry when we are getting out of our vehicles, but it just takes a second to make sure it is locked.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Doughnut Strike For Manna Collects Over 20,000 Pounds Of Food
July 3, 2019
The final numbers are in from last week’s first responder Doughnut Strike for Manna. The event collected 21,314 pounds of food, enough for nearly 16,000 meals.
The most popular items donated were: 3,018 pounds of peanut butter, 771 pounds of oatmeal, and 515 cereal items.
First responders from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Fire Rescue, Pensacola Police Department and the Pensacola Fire Department had vowed not to eat a single doughnut until 20,000 pounds of food was collected. Most of the collections occurred at local grocery stories last Wednesday to Friday.
Who Has The Best Local Fireworks Show? How Will Locals Spend The Fourth?
July 3, 2019
How will local residents celebrate the Fourth of July, and which town has the best local fireworks show?
NorthEscambia.com conducted a survey with four questions for the Fourth. We found the majority of respondents will have a cookout, enjoy family time and attend a public fireworks show. And most won’t be going to the beach or traveling very far from home.
Celebration Plans
- Cookout (47%)
- Family time (43%)
- Public fireworks show (34%)
- Fireworks at home (23%)
- Fly American flag (22%)
- Nothing special (19%)
- Bing watch TV (6%)
- Beach (6%)
- Travel (4%)
Spending Amount
A majority, 60%, said they’ll be spending under $50 on their celebrations, while 21 percent said $50-$99 and 15% responded $100-$249. Only 8% plan to spend over $250.
How Far To Travel
Most, 67%, don’t plan on any extra travel, 27% will travel under 100 miles, and 5% will travel 100 to 499 miles. About 2% said they will travel over 500 miles during the holiday period.
Best Local Fireworks Show
Survey participants said the best local fireworks show is:
- Pensacola (Sertoma) 35%
- Pensacola Beach 25%
- Jay 12%
- Atmore (Wind Creek) 12%
- Century/Flomaton 7%
- Milton 7%
(For a fireworks show schedule, click here.)
This was an informal, non-scientific survey with 3,314 respondents. Percentages in this story may not equal exactly to 100 due to rounding and exclusion of minor answers (less than 3%).
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Century Considers Travel Per Diem, Promotes Burkett To Water Superintendent
July 3, 2019
This week’s Century Town Council meeting was a night of ordinary business. The council:
- Discussed implementing a per diem rate for meals and incidentals for employees traveling for the town.
- Officially promoted Heath Burkett to the water superintendent position. He will also get back pay for about three months that he has worked in the position after the departure of the previous superintendent. Burkett was the only applicant for the job.
- Voted to pay employees on Wednesday, July 3 rather than on their regular Friday payday due to the bank used by the town being closed July 4-5 for the holiday.
NorthEscambia.com photo.