Judge Orders State To Pay Sansom Legal Fees
February 28, 2015
A Leon County circuit court judge ruled Friday that state taxpayers will have to cover hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees for the defense of former House Speaker Ray Sansom, who was cleared four years ago of charges that had already driven him from office.
The decision came on the same day that Sansom took the stand in a lawsuit about his legal fees — marking the first time he had ever testified in open court about the case that left the man who was briefly one of the most powerful figures in the state out of office and, for a time, unemployed. Sansom, who is currently a vice president at a charter-school management company, said he would defend the project at the center of the dispute “for the rest of my life.”
Judge Angela Dempsey found in favor of Sansom and his criminal defense lawyer, who argued that the state was required to pay Sansom’s legal bills under a common-law principle that public officials who successfully defend themselves against charges related to public duties are entitled to have legal costs covered.
“I think today completely solidifies the fact that I was completely acquitted. I was found completely not guilty,” Sansom told reporters outside the courtroom.
During the case, the state argued that the manner in which prosecutor Willie Meggs decided to drop the 2011 criminal charges, which concerned a 2007 budget item that was supposed to pay for an emergency operations center in Sansom’s Panhandle district, essentially amounted to a settlement of the case rather than a successful defense. Dempsey rejected that argument.
“Based on everything I heard and applying that to the case law that I’m required to follow, I’m going to find that what happened in this case was not any different than an acquittal,” Dempsey said.
Dempsey still has to decide how much in legal fees to award Sansom, and in turn his attorney Stephen Dobson, but it is certain to cost the state several hundred thousand dollars. The plaintiffs were seeking almost $1million dollars in legal fees and interest.
Meggs agreed to drop the criminal case in 2011 after being assured that Sansom and a political contributor, Jay Odom, would pay $206,000 to help reimburse the state for design costs of the project, which was never built. Sansom’s attorneys note that Odom actually paid the money and contend that Samson was not really a party to the agreement.
State lawyers argued that Sansom was included in the settlement and was expected to repay Odom for his half of the money — contracting claims that the former speaker was exonerated.
“There are zero cases in Florida supporting the proposition that a six-figure settlement is an exoneration,” Lisa Raleigh, a lawyer with Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office, argued Friday.
But attorney Stephen Turner, who represented Sansom and Dobson, said the agreement with Odom was simply a “face-saving device” on the part of Meggs, who had just received what he has conceded was a devastating ruling in the case.
“It is plainly clear that he knew he had lost and he was trying to salvage something for the state,” Turner said.
During testimony Friday, the second day of the trial on the fee dispute, Sansom also gave his take on the emergency operations center that Meggs argued was really a thinly disguised effort to build a taxpayer-funded aircraft hangar for Odom. Sansom said the project arose in response to devastating storms that hit Destin in 1995.
The center was designed to withstand a powerful hurricane, Samson said, and could house emergency vehicles that were previously moved from the barrier island to a mainland facility before a storm. It would also serve as a locale for training first responders.
And Samson defended his decision to push for the inclusion of the project as House budget chairman in 2007.
“I will stand by this budget item for the rest of my life as being one of the best things that I’ve ever seen try to be done for my area,” he said.
Earlier, Dobson denied testimony by Meggs that Dobson had been involved in hammering out the deal that ended the case. He said Sansom specifically dismissed one version of the offer.
“I clearly communicated it to him, and he clearly rejected any offer to pay money or to waive his fees,” Dobson said.
After Dempsey’s decision, Sansom reiterated that he never agreed to anything.
“He lied about an agreement,” Sansom said of Meggs.
That brought a sharp rejoinder from Meggs.
“If Mr. Sansom wants to say I’m a liar … I would point out to you that I am still employed and he is not,” Meggs said. “And he resigned his position because of his conduct and I have not resigned my position because of my conduct.”
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Baseball Wins For NHS, Tate; Softball Win For Tate
February 28, 2015
Tate 7, Washington 5
Tate 9, Washington 3 (JV)
Tate 8, Washington 0 (9th)
The Tate Aggies swept three from Washington Friday. The Tate varsity beat Washington 7-5, the JV topped Washington 9-3, while the freshmen shut out Washington 8-0.
–
Northview 12, Freeport 1
Northview 4, Freeport 0 (JV)
The Northview Chiefs beat Freeport in a district game 12-1 at home in Bratt Friday night. The Chiefs (5-0, 2-0) were up 5-0 before rallying for seven in the fourth. The Chiefs will host the Atmore Blue Devils on Monday.
–
SOFTBALL
Tate 3, Chiles 2
Tate 4, Mortimer Jordan 1
The Tate Aggies are on the road for four weekend games in Panama City. In the first game Friday night, the Lady Aggies beat Chiles 3-2. In their second game, ending just before midnight, the Lady Aggies beat Mortimer Jorday 4-1.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs earned a district win over Freeport Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Sawyer Smith Gets Offer From Mississippi State
February 28, 2015
Mississippi State has made an offer to Tate High School quarterback Sawyer Smith, the Tate Quarterback Club announced Friday. He also as an offer from Southern Mississippi. Penn State and BYI have also expressed interest in Smith.
Northview’s Anna Barry Named Escambia Teacher Of The Year
February 27, 2015
Anna Barry of Northview High School has been named the Escambia County Teacher of the Year.
“As a teacher, it’s great to see what you did really did impact students later in life,” Barry said. “Sometimes you have to get them to step outside their comfort zones, and in the end it can all be worth it when they succeed.”
Barry teaches world history and honors world history at Northview. Barry is a product of the Escambia County School systems, from kindergarten at Bratt Elementary School, to Ernest Ward Middle School through gradation from Northview in 2000.
“To give back to something that gave so much to me, words can’t express that,” she said while accepting the award.
Barry received a bachelor of science degree in health education and went on to become professionally certified in several areas. She has taught for 10 years — two years at Ernest Ward and eight years at Northview.
She was quick to thank her students and the entire Northview faculty, staff and leadership for the Teacher of the Year award. “This is an award for Northview. Northview High School is such an incredible place with incredible people.”
Other finalists were Krystal Gibson of Beulah Elementary School, Andrew Rehwinkle of Pensacola High School, Sheila Hall of N.B. Cook Elementary and Doreen Wells of Ensley Elementary School. The award was presented Thursday night at the Golden Apple Awards Dinner, sponsored by the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation.
Pictured top: Anna Barry of Northview High School was named Escambia County Teacher of the Year Thursday night. Pictured inset: Barry with Northview Principal Gayle Weaver. Pictured below: Barry’s parents Ben and Dottie Davis of Walnut Hill react to the Teacher of the Year announcement, as does Northview teacher James Moretz (background). Pictured bottom: Barry and fellow teacher of the years finalists (L-R) Krystal Gibson of Beulah Elementary School, Sheila Harrington Hall of N. B. Cook Elementary School, Andrew Rehwinkle of Pensacola High School, and Doreen Wells of Ensley Elementary School. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local High Performing Schools Receive $3.3 Million In Bonus Money
February 27, 2015
High performing schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are receiving over $3.3 million in School Recognition Program funding. The financial awards are based on sustained or significantly improved student achievement.
Schools may use their award for faculty or staff bonuses, to purchase educational equipment or materials, or hire temporary staff to help maintain or improve student performance. How the money will be spent will be decided by the School Advisory Council at each awarded school.
Schools in Escambia County will receive $1,420,617, while schools in Santa Rosa County will receive $1,925,063.
Schools eligible for recognition awards include those receiving an “A” school grade, improving at least one letter grade from the previous year, or improving more than one letter grade and sustaining the improvement the following school year.
A list of local school receiving funding was not yet available.
Local Elementary School Custodian Arrested For Child Porn
February 27, 2015
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Pensacola Regional Operations Center Special Agents have arrested Samuel Dwain Yates, 43, of 4289 W. Avenida De Golf, Milton, Fla. on four counts of possession of child pornography. Yates is a custodian at the Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment.
Agents began investigating Yates after receiving a tip that an electronic device at his residence was downloading child pornography. Agents served a search warrant at Yates’ residence yesterday and gathered evidence that Yates was in possession of at least four images of child pornography. Agents seized several items of digital media for forensic analysis. This investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are expected.
Yates, a 10-year employee at Jim Allen Elementary, has been suspended from his position, according to Norm Ross, deputy superintendent. He did not have computer access at the school, Ross said. Yates was an “evening custodian” beginning his workday in the early afternoon and remaining after most children were off campus.
Yates was released from the Santa Rosa County Jail on $20,000 bond. The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney 1st Judicial Circuit. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office assisted in his arrest.
Baseball Wins For Tate, Northview; Softball Wins For Tate, WFHS
February 27, 2015
BASEBALL
Tate 2, West Florida 1 (9 innings)
The Tate Aggies beat the West Florida Jaguars 2-1 in nine-innings. It was the first varsity win for Tate pitcher Michael Sherrill. Tate’s junior varsity and freshmen teams also beat West Florida Thursday. The Aggies (2-) will play junior varsity and varsity Friday at 4:00 and 6:30.
Northview 4, Washington 1
Washington 11, Northview 1 (JV)
Northview defeated Washington High School 4-1 in Pensacola Thursday night., while the NHS JV lost to Washington 11-1. Northview will host Freeport in a district game at 7:00 Friday, following a JV matchup at 4:30.
SOFTBALL
Tate 7, Pace 1
Tori Perkins pitched a no-hitter and struck out 11on the road as the Tate Lady Aggies beat Pace 7-1. The Lady Aggies remain undefeated at 8-0. Rachel Wright hit a homer for Tate, Sam Burks had a couple of doubles, Tori Perkins hit a double and Casey McCrakin was 2-4.
West Florida 11, Washington 1
The West Florida Lady Jaguars defeated Washington Thursday night 11-1. Farrah Nichols pitched four for the Jaguars, striking out six while allowing three hits. Kristen Gunter was 3-4 for West Florida, while Emily Loring at 2-4.
Pictured: Northview at Washington. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Winning $57K Fantasy Five Ticket Sold In North Escambia
February 27, 2015
Someone is over $57,000 richer this morning after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket in Cantonment.
The ticket sold at the CMP Food Mart, 400 North Highway 29, was one of four winning tickets sold for Thursday night’s drawing worth $57,384.10. Other winning tickets matching all five numbers were sold in Aventura, West Palm Beach and Parrish.
The 354 tickets matching four numbers won $104.50 each. Another 10,610 tickets matching three numbers are worth $9.50 each, and 103,236 ticket holders won a free Quick Pick ticket for picking two numbers.
Thursday’s winning numbers were 7-11-15-18-35.
Northwest Escambia Fooball, Cheer Names New Directors
February 27, 2015
Northwest Escambia Football and Cheer has announced new board members and officers for the upcoming 2015 season.
They are:
Greg Gibson – President
Jarrod Peebles – Vice-President
Vickie Grant – Treasurer
Harmony Thomas – Secretary
Kim Lambert – Cheer Coordinator
Mike Weaver – Concessions Manager
Matt Olson – Equipment Manager
Ted Bridges – Football Operations
Eric Jefferson – Football Operations
Joel Broadhead – Board Member
Carl Ward – Board Member
Patrick Boone – Board Member
Josh Edwards – Board Member
Kevin Bryan – Board Member
Arlo Smith – Board Member
Jason Stabler – Board Member
Gordon Godwin – Board Member
Stafford Announces Supervisor Of Elections College Scholarship Opportunity
February 27, 2015
Ecambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford has announced the 2015 Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections (FSASE) college scholarship. Three $1,200 scholarships will be awarded this summer by FSASE for the 2015 school year.
The scholarship is available to juniors or seniors attending an accredited Florida university or college, with a major in: political science, public or business administration, or journalism/mass communications. Among the requirements, students must have maintained a “C” average or above the previous year, demonstrate financial need and be registered to vote.
Copies of the application and full eligibility requirements may be downloaded from the Supervisor of Elections website at EscambiaVotes.com or may be picked up at the Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor. Completed applications must reach the Supervisor’s office by close of business on March 16.
Stafford will forward one application with a written recommendation to the FSASE Scholarship Committee, which will review the submissions from all 67 Florida counties. The scholarships will be awarded by the Association and the winner will be announced at the 2015 FSASE Summer Conference in June.
Students from Escambia County were scholarship winners in 2006, 2009 and 2010.