Associated Press
Gov. Rick Scott and members of the Cabinet are approving a settlement in a lawsuit filed over the firing of Florida’s top cop.
Scott and the three elected officials on the Cabinet formally approved an agreement Tuesday to end the lawsuit filed by a St. Petersburg lawyer and media organizations. There was no debate before the vote.
The lawsuit contended Scott and Cabinet members sidestepped the state’s Sunshine Law in how they handled the dismissal of former Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey.
The agreement calls for Scott and Cabinet to change procedures for handling public records and appointments. All communication regarding any items to be voted on by the Cabinet must be done either in writing or verbally in a public meeting.
The agreement requires the state to pay $55,000 in attorney fees. Taxpayers have already paid nearly $200,000 to lawyers representing state officials.
Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
