Jim Rosica, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2016

In a Stand Your Ground-related case, an appeals court has affirmed a Jacksonville man’s conviction and life sentence — after previously reversing it. A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal on Tuesday unanimously upheld the punishment for John Swearingden, 48. Swearingden was convicted of second-degree murder in the stabbing of another man during a fight in […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2016

Glenn Sutphin, now the agency’s interim head, will become the next permanent director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet made the hire at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting. The 67-year-old Sutphin, himself a National Guardsman for over 30 years, was the only person interviewed for the position out of more than 300 applicants. He […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2016

Steven Fielder has been appointed chief of staff for the state’s Department of Corrections. The department announced the move Tuesday. Fielder, who begins Aug. 19, comes from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (DHSMV), where he was most recently director of administrative services, the department’s press release said. Fielder started at DHSMV in 1992, serving in several high-level roles. That experience […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2016

A brain-damaged Pasco County woman and a deceased Florida State football player are again the subjects of claim bills filed in the Florida Legislature. According to the Florida Senate website, 22 of the bills — also known as relief acts — were turned in Monday. Under the legal doctrine of sovereign immunity, Florida law limits local […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2016

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Two multi-millionaire art aficionados are dueling over creating Miami’s newest museum, leading to a bid protest that could be filed later this week. The fight over money, land and prestige pits Miami art dealer Gary Nader against developer Jorge Pérez, CEO of Related Group, with their running battle largely playing out in the pages of the Miami Herald. Among other things, […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2016

A Jacksonville pari-mutuel is breaking the state’s ban on blackjack-style card games, an administrative law judge said Monday. In what is considered a test case on wildly popular poker-type games, Judge Suzanne Van Wyk determined Jacksonville Kennel Club, operating as the bestbet Jacksonville poker room, was “conducting unauthorized card games” and recommended a $4,500 fine. Though such games reportedly bring in […]

Jim RosicaJuly 29, 2016

A public records lawsuit involving a company that provides monkeys for animal research labs has been withdrawn. Primate Products, Inc. of Hendry County, the Florida Department of Agriculture and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on Thursday jointly agreed to drop the case. That means documents the company said contain “trade secrets” are now public record. The department released […]

Jim RosicaJuly 29, 2016

The Florida Commission on Ethics says a legislative bill drafting staff director isn’t covered by the state’s lobbying ban on some state workers. The commission approved a staff-written advisory opinion at its meeting Friday. Joseph Gillespie, the staff director of the House of Representatives Bill Drafting Service, requested the opinion last month. The office’s bill drafters write the first […]

Jim RosicaJuly 28, 2016

The indefatigable Lloyd Dunkelberger, unceremoniously jettisoned by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, has landed at the News Service of Florida (NSF). The Tallahassee-based state news provider announced the hire on Thursday. Dunkelberger, 62, joins the NSF staff next week. He “has covered state government since 1983, including 33 regular sessions of the Florida Legislature and eight governors,” according to a News […]

Jim RosicaJuly 28, 2016

The state’s lawyers are being targeted by yet another online scam. Attorney General Pam Bondi sent out a warning Wednesday night about a new “imposter scam.” This time, her office is the one being spoofed. “Bar members are receiving emails purported to be from the Florida Attorney General’s Office, erroneously informing (them) that their business is being sued by […]

Jim Rosica

Court affirms Jax ‘Stand Your Ground’ conviction

Glenn Sutphin appointed state vets’ agency head

Personnel note: Steven Fielder heads to Corrections

Claim bills filed for 2017 Legislative Session

How a fight over art, land and development plans festered in Miami

Judge rules poker-style card games break state law

Public records suit on research monkeys is dropped

Ethics Commission clears staff director for lobbying

Personnel note: Lloyd Dunkelberger hired by News Service of Florida

Email scammers targeting Florida lawyers again