The Issue This matter concerns the issue of whether the Respondents' public lodging establishment license numbers 27-01381H and 27-01382H should be suspended four allowing the premises of the Coachman's Inn and the Coachman's Inn Annex to be used for prostitution On December 20, 1982, the Director of the Division of Hotels and Restaurants entered an emergency order of suspension of the public lodging establishment, license numbers 27-01382H and 27-01381H, and caused this emergency order to be personally served upon the Respondents. Simultaneous with the emergency order of suspension, the Director caused to be served upon the Respondents a notice to show cause as to why the above-referenced licenses should not be suspended or revoked for the reasons set forth in the notice to show cause. The notice to show cause specifically alleged: On or before and subsequent to November 1, 1982, to the date of this Notice, investigation has revealed that the Coachman's Inn has been established, continued and maintained as a premises or place which tends to annoy the com- munity, injure the health of the com- munity, or injure the morals and manners of the people of the community, as a premises or place of prostitution, assigna- tion, lewdness, or place or building where A any law of the state is violated contrary to F.S. 823.05 and F.S. 509.032(1) and F.S. 509.261. Since on and before November 1, 1980 and subsequent thereto the date of this Notice, investigation has revealed that the Coachman's Inn has been maintained and operated as a place for the purpose of lewdness, assignation, or prostitu- tion or a house of ill fame in violation of F.S. 796.01, F.S. 796.07, F.S. 509.032 (1) and F.S. 509.261. The Respondent was advised of his right to request a formal hearing and having filed a timely request, a formal hearing was held in this matter on December 29, 1982, at the Regional Service Center, Pensacola, Florida. The Division of Hotels and Restaurants called as witnesses, Mr. Brian Barton, a police officer for the City of Pensacola assigned to the Major Crimes Division, Vice and Intelligence. The Division also called Mr. Paul Silivos, the owner of a restaurant called Skopelo's which is located across the street from the Coachman's Inn and also called Mr. John W. Peaden, an investigator for the State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit and assigned to the Fort Walton Beach office. The last witness called by the Division was Mr. William Snow, also of the Pensacola Police Department. The Respondent called as its witness Mr. Thomas Pelt, the previous owner of the Coachman's Inn; Mrs. Patel, the wife of the present owner; Ronald J. Stafford, a realtor in the Pensacola area; and Mr. Arvin Patel, the Respondent. In rebuttal, the Division called Mr. Steven Paul Bolyard, an investigator with the State Attorney's office of the First Judicial Circuit and assigned to the Escambia County office. Petitioner offered as exhibits a drawing of the Coachman's Inn which was admitted-as Exhibit No. 1; an order of temporary injunction dated November 24, 1982, which was admitted as Petitioner's Exhibit No. 2; and two (2) newspapers published in the Pensacola area which were marked as Petitioner's Exhibit No. 3, but not accepted into evidence. The Respondent offered six (6) exhibits consisting of: Exhibit No. 1, the sales agreement for the purchase of the Coachman's Inn; Exhibit No. 2, a promissory note executed in connection with the purchase of the Coachman's Inn; Exhibit No. 3, a bill of sale for the purchase of personal property; Exhibit No. 4, a security agreement executed in connection with the purchase of the Coachman's Inn; Exhibit No. 5, the registration cards for the Coachman's Inn and Annex since April, 1981; and Exhibit No. 6, the 1980 tax return for the Coachman's Inn. All six (6) of the exhibits offered by the Respondent were admitted into evidence without objection from the Petitioner. Counsel for both Petitioner and Respondent have submitted proposed findings of fact for consideration by the Hearing Officer. To the extent that such findings of fact were not adopted in the Recommended Order, they were rejected as being irrelevant to the issues In this cause, or as not having been supported by the evidence.
Findings Of Fact The Present owner of the Coachman's Inn purchased the Coachman's Inn in April, 1981. The motel was purchased for a price of $625,000.00, with $100,000.00 of that amount being paid in cash by the present owner at or before closing. Since the purchase of the motel, the owner has made approximately $25,000.00 worth of improvements to the motel. These improvements consist of new carpet and bedding. The Coachman's Inn and Annex are located at 1801 West Cervantes Street in Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida. The motel consists of one main area adjacent to the motel office and an annex located to the west of the main area. The motel has sixty-six (66) rooms of varying sizes and prices. The motel is bordered on the west by a liquor store and across the street by a restaurant. The Coachman's Inn is located in an area which has had ongoing problems with prostitution since at least 1979. Numerous known prostitutes have operated primarily in the area in and around the Coachman's Inn and the liquor store located to the west of the Coachman's Inn. During 1982, known prostitutes were observed on numerous occasions flagging down and waving to passing motorists from the balconies and parking lot of the Coachman's Inn. Specifically, since July of 1982, police officers of the Pensacola Police Department and Investigators of the State Attorney's office observed on numerous occasions know prostitutes operating on the premises of the Coachman's Inn. They would stand in the parking lot area of the Coachman's Inn and in front of the rooms or on the balconies of the Coachman's Inn and flag down passing traffic. In July of 1982, Officer Brian Barton of the Pensacola Police Department spoke with Mr. Patel about the prostitutes and informed him that he was going to have to do something to prevent his premises from being utilized for the purposes of prostitution. He was advised at that time that his license would be in jeopardy if he did not take proper steps to eliminate the prostitution. At that time Mr. Patel acknowledged that he was aware of the prostitution problem and that the individuals who were engaged in prostitution were in fact guests in his motel. Since July of 1982, Mr. Barton has made spot checks on a weekly basis and during August and September had ongoing investigations involving the Coachman's Inn. Following his July conversation with Mr. Patel he observed no efforts on the part of the management to stop prostitution. He also observed no decrease in the prostitution activities taking place on the premises of the Coachman's Inn. The previous owner, Mr. Thomas Pelt, had problems with prostitutes operating in and around the Coachman's Inn from the time he purchased the motel in January, 1978. At the time he sold the motel to the Respondent, he informed him of the various problems he had had with Prostitution. In his first year of operation, Mr. Pelt estimated that he made at least two hundred (200) calls to the Pensacola Police Department and many times was required to make several calls in a single day in order to have the police come out and remove prostitutes from the premises of the Coachman's Inn. During that same time period he hired, for several months, a part-time security guard who was an off- duty Pensacola police officer. The security guard was allowed to wear his Pensacola police uniform and was very effective in finally helping to eliminate the prostitutes from operating on the premises of the Coachman's Inn. Mr. Pelt, as a result of his efforts, was successful in ridding the Coachman's Inn of Prostitutes operating on the premises. On September 15, 1982, Officer Barton, while working a vice operation with two (2) other officers in the area of the Coachman's Inn, was approached by a white female named Betty Salter in the parking lot area of the Coachman's Inn. This contact took place in area adjacent to Room 159 of the motel. Following a short conversation, Officer Barton was invited by Betty Salter and another white female into a room of the motel where he was solicited for prostitution. He then placed Betty Salter under arrest. On November 6, 192, Mr. Barton accompanied Officers William Snow and Perry Osborne in a vice operation in the area of the Coachman's Inn. Officer Snow's vehicle was wired with a recording device. As Officer Snow passed the Coachman's Inn he was flagged down by a female impersonator named Chris Cambria. Officer Snow pulled into the parking lot of the Coachman's Inn where he was approached by Chris Cambria and invited into a room of the motel. The room was located in the center of the horseshoe shaped area in the eastern portion of the motel. Once in the room, Officer Snow was solicited for sexual acts for pay by Chris Cambria. Mr. Cambria was then placed under arrest. At the time that Officer Snow was originally flagged down by Chris Cambria, Mr. Cambria was standing in the doorway of Room 269 which is the room located in the center of the horseshoe area to the east of the office. On November 9, 1982, Mr. John W. Peaden, an investigator with the State Attorney's Office for the First Judicial Circuit, conducted an undercover investigation at the Coachman's Inn. Prior to going to the premises of the Coachman's Inn, Mr. Peaden was briefed and shown photographs of known prostitutes in the area. Upon arriving there he saw several known prostitutes in the Darking lot and on the balconies of the Coachman's Inn. On the night of November 9, Mr. Peaden checked in as a guest. Mr. Patel and a lady who appeared to be his wife were in the lobby at the time that Mr. Peaden checked in. From the lobby, Mr. Peaden observed several known prostitutes on the premises of the Coachman's Inn. After leaving the lobby, Mr. Peaden was approached by a black female who asked if he wanted some company for the night. She followed him to the door of his room and as he opened the door, she pushed her way into the room. After entering the room, she made offers of sexual acts for pay. Prices were quoted by her and agreed upon by Mr. Peaden. Mr. Peaden then left the premises of the Coachman's Inn. When he returned to the Coachman's Inn, he spoke with Mr. Patel who told him to stay away from the black prostitutes because they were bad. Mr. Peaden then asked him about the white prostitutes and their availability. While Mr. Peaden was talking with Mr. Patel in the lobby, a white female and known prostitute named Brenda Howard came into the lobby and appeared to be disoriented and spaced out. She went up to Mr. Patel and asked for a room. At that moment Mr. Patel looked at Mr. Peaden and nodded to Mr. Peaden in a way that appeared to Mr. Peaden to suggest that this was a young lady who was available for prostitution. Mr. Patel gave the young lady Room 213 which is right next door to Room 214 which had been assigned to Mr. Peaden. The young lady wrote only her name on the card and Mr. Patel, as he pulled the card away, said that was enough. Mr. Peaden was charged approximately eighteen dollars ($18.00) for his room and Brenda Howard was charged just over twenty dollars (- $20.00) for her room. In Composite Exhibit 5, there is a registration card dated November 9, 1982, for a Brenda Howard who was assigned to Room 213 and with incomplete information on the card. After Brenda Howard left the lobby, Mr. Peaden asked Patel how he could make contact with her and Mr. Patel said she is in Room 213 and he could call her on the motel phone. Mr. Peaden returned to his room and attempted to call the young lady in Room 213 but received no answer. He then returned to the lobby of the Coachman's Inn where he contacted Mr. Patel again and informed him that he was unable to get in touch with Brenda Howard. Mr. Patel then tried to call her from the lobby but also received no answer. Mr. Peaden then asked Mr. Patel if she was okay and if there were any problems with diseases. Mr. Patel responded "no"' and said "she will be all right tomorrow, come back then." Mr. Peaden then left the premises of the Coachman's Inn. On November 10, 1982, Mr. Peaden returned to the Coachman's Inn and again observed known prostitutes on the premises of the Inn. Mr. Peaden was again solicited for sexual acts for pay by a black female L. T. Manuel. Through L. T. Manuel, Mr. Peaden also contacted Brenda Howard at Room 201 and made arrangements for Brenda Howard and several other women to provide sexual acts for pay for that night. Later in the evening of November 10, 1982, Mr. Peaden and an Officer West were approached by two (2) known prostitutes, Pat Smith and Rosa Robinson, in the parking lot of the Coachman's Inn. They offered to perform sexual acts for pay for Mr. Peaden, Officer West, and two (2) other undercover officers. It was agreed that the two (2) women would obtain two (2) other prostitutes to also perform sexual acts for the four (4) investigators. Pat Smith and Rosa Robinson returned with two (2) other women and at that time each woman was paid twenty- five dollars ($25.00) each with marked money for the sexual acts to be performed. After the money was exchanged, the four (4) women were arrested. On December 8, 1982, Officer Brian Barton observed Phyllis Ford, a known prostitute, talking to a gentleman in a black cadillac in the Coachman's Inn parking lot. She directed him to the area of Room 240 where Chris Cambria was waiting. Room 240 is in clear view of the Coachman's Inn lobby and office and Mr. Patel was in the lobby. After spotting one (1) of the undercover officers, Chris Cambria left the area of Room 240, proceeded to the lobby and was observed talking and laughing with Mr. Patel. On December 13, Mr. Peaden went with an Officer Jack Kliger to the Coachman's Inn. Upon arriving at the Inn, he again observed known prostitutes in the area. He specifically observed Phyllis Ford in the eastern most area of the Coachman's Inn and Murray Anne Hill walking down the street and into the parking lot of the western annex building of the Coachman's Inn. Both Phyllis Ford and Murray Anne Hill are known prostitutes. He observed Phyllis Ford walk out of Room 260 toward the lobby of the motel. Mr. Peaden then pulled into the parking lot in the area of Room 260. At that time Phyllis Ford was standing at the door of Room 260 and came to the passenger door of his car. She engaged him in conversation and then solicited sexual acts for pay. A price was agreed upon and Mr. Peaden asked her to get into the car to leave the area and she said no, "If you want it, you've got to come into my room." Mr. Peaden then left the area to set up a plan for arrest and upon returning to the Coachman's Inn observed Phyllis Ford in the window of Room 260. She came out of the room and saw Officer West and recognized him and then tried to go back into the room. She was then placed under arrest by Mr. Peaden. The prostitution on the premises of the Coachman's Inn was "wide open" and overt. As late as December 13, known prostitutes were still operating on the premises of the Coachman's Inn in an open and overt manner. The young ladies who were operating as prostitutes in and around the Coachman's Inn were generally dressed in a casual manner and the clothes they wore were not provocative. Room 214, Room 201 and Room 260 were rooms which were not visible from the office of the Coachman's Inn. As a part of the November 9 and 10 investigation by Mr. Peaden and the other officers, seven (7) persons were arrested. These people included Jacqueline Blount, Patricia Smith, L. T. Manuel, Brenda Sue Howard, Rosa Hawkins, Rosa Robinson, and Mr.. Patel, the owner. On November 24, 1952, Circuit Judge Joseph Q. Tarbuck entered an order of temporary injunction. That injunction provided in relevant part: The Court being advised that the parties have stipulated to entry of the below temporary injunction enjoining the defendant or agents from knowingly, intentionally or negligently allowing acts of prostitution, assignation, lewdness and violance on the premises of the Coachman's Inn, 1801 Nest Cervantes Street, Pensacola. Escambia County, Florida. It is therefore, ordered that the defendant and his agents are hereby temporarily enjoined from maintaining a nuisance on the premises of said Coachman's Inn and, further, that the defendant and his agents shall refrain from allowing acts of prostitution, assignation, lewdness or violance on said premises either knowingly, intentionally or negligently, either through lack of ability or diligent effort. Following the entry of the temporary injunction, Mr. Patel and his wife claimed that they began a policy of not allowing prostitutes to register in the motel and on four (4) or five (5) occasions, called the police and complained. On at least one (1) occasion, which was witnessed by Mr. Thomas Pelt, Mr. Patel went out into the parking lot and asked a known prostitute to leave the premises. There was no other evidence presented as to steps taken by Mr. Patel in eliminating the prostitution problem following the entry of the temporary injunction on November 24. Known prostitutes continued to operate on the premises of the Coachman's Inn after November 24, 1982. The Respondent, Mr. Arvin Patel, has a substantial investment in the Coachman's Inn and will offer severe financial losses if he is unable to continue operating the motel. Mr. Patel testified that it was his plan to make some additional improvements and attempt to sell the motel by June 1, 1983, if he were allowed to reopen. The Previous owner would be adversely impacted by Mr. Patel's inability to make the four thousand dollar ($4,000.00) per month mortgage payment to the previous owner. During 1982, MT. Paul Silivos, owner of Skopelo's Restaurant had complaints from customers regarding the prostitution at the Coachman's Inn. He observed no visible prostitution when the Coachman's Inn was owned by Mr. Felt, but described the prostitution at the Coachman's Inn during 1982, as "wide open twenty-four (24) hours a day." All of the witnesses who testified for the Petitioner, described the prostitution at the Coachman's Inn as wide open and overt. This was not denied by Mr. Patel nor did he disagree with the descriptions of these witnesses. The Respondent, Arvin Patel, was aware prior to November, 1982, that Helen Merriweather was operating as a prostitute in and about the premises of the Coachman's Inn. In approximately April, 1982, Mr. Patel claimed that he had stopped renting a room to her. Mr. Patel was aware that Rosa Robinson, Murray Anne Hill, Chris Cambria, and L. T. Manuel a/k/a Tonya Tripp were prostitutes operating on and around the premises of the Coachman's Inn. This was revealed by Mr. Patel's claim that he had attempted to stop renting to these individuals at varying times during 1982 because of their prostitution activities. On December 18, 1982, Chris Cambria was observed by Officer Barton. Chris Cambria was picked up by a white male in a pickup truck and they then drove to Room 240 of the Coachman's Inn. At the time Mr. Patel was in the parking lot of the Coachman's Inn and had a clear, unobstructed view of Room 240.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED: That public lodging establishment license numbers 27-01382H and 27-01381H be suspended for a period of sixty (60) days. IT IS FURTHER RECOMMENDED: That the suspension be lifted prior to the end of the sixty-day Period, upon the Division of Hotels and restaurants being assured that adequate and reasonable steps have. been taken to prevent the use of the premises of the Coachman's Inn for the purpose of prostitution, DONE and ENTERED this 19th day of January, 1983, in Tallahassee, Florida. MARVIN E. CHAVIS, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 19th day of January, 1983. COPIES FURNISHED: Harold F.X. Purnell, Esquire General Counsel January, Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 William J. Green, Esquire GREEN, DEES and FRANCE 418 North Palafox Street Post Office Box 12602 Pensacola, Florida 32574 Gary R. Rutledge, Secretary Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Sherman S. Winn, Director Division of Hotels and Restaurants Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 ================================================================= AGENCY FINAL ORDER ================================================================= STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS REGULATION DIVISION OF HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS STATE OF FLORIDA, DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS REGULATION, DIVISION OF HOTELS AND RESTAURANT, Petitioner, vs. CASE NO. 82-3467 H & R NOS. 27-01381H ARVIN JARAM and JAIRAM ISHWARLEL 27-01382H d/b/a COACHMAN'S INN and COACHMAN'S INN ANNEX, Respondent. /
Conclusions The Director, Division of Hotels and Restaurants, Department of Business and Professional Regulation (the Division), after consideration of the complete record of this case on file with the Division, enters this Final Order. 1. On July 24, 2013, the Department issued an Administrative Complaint, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit wie, 2. On October 1, 2013, a hearing in this cause was held before the Honorable Suzanne Van Wyk, Administrative Law Judge, Division of Administrative Hearings. 3. On December 11, 2013, the Honorable Suzanne Van Wyk issued a Recommended Order, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit "2". The Statement of the Issues, Preliminary Statement, Filed January 6, 2014 1:48 PM Division of Administrative Hearings Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Recommendation contained in the Recommended Order are hereby adopted in toto and incorporated herein by reference. Based upon the foregoing, and being otherwise fully advised in the premises it is, hereby ORDERED that: for Respondent's violations of Section 509, Florida Statutes, and/or the rules promulgated thereto the following penalty is imposed: 1. Respondent shall pay a fine in the amount of $100.00, due and payable to the Division of Hotels and Restaurants, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1011, within thirty (30) calendar days of the date this Order is filed with the Agency Clerk. 2. This Final Order shall become effective on the date of filing with the Agency Clerk. DONE AND ORDERED this 3st day of “Pecen Axe , 20/3. Bele Wer fp Dusan S, Weep Diann S. Wordéalla, Director Department of Business and Professional Regulation Division of Hotels and Restaurants 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1015
Other Judicial Opinions A party who is adversely affected by this Final Order is entitled to judicial review pursuant to Section 120.68, Florida Statutes. Review proceedings are governed by Rules 9.110 and 9.190, Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure. Such proceedings are commenced by filing one copy of a Notice of Appeal with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Attn: Ronda L. Bryan, Agency Clerk, 1940 North Monroe Street, Suite 92, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2202 and a second copy, accompanied by the filing fees prescribed by law, with the District Court of Appeal, First District, or with the District Court of Appeal in the Florida Appellate District where the party resides. The Notice of Appeal must be filed within thirty (30) days of rendition of the order to be reviewed. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing has been furnished via Certified U.S. Mail to Holland Apartments, c/o Cindy Holland, 162 Rainbow Drive, Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548; by regular U.S. Mail to the Honorable Suzanne Van Wyk, Administrative Law Judge, Division of Administrative Hearings, 1230 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060; and by hand delivery to Marc Drexler, Chief Attorney, Division of Hotels and Restaurants, Department of Business and Professional Regulations, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2202, this Go day of anvary , 2014 For the Division of Hotels | Hotels and Restaurants “Certified Article Number | oy 71596 4008 9411 516 1790 SENDERS RECORD.“ cory
The Issue The issue is whether Respondent engaged in an unlawful employment practice.
Findings Of Fact Mr. Hurley was 53 years of age when hired by Advance in 1998. He was born on June 19, 1944. His employment relationship with Advance was "at will." His work schedule was determined by Advance and was based entirely on the determination by Advance of its requirement to adequately serve its customers. When Mr. Hurley started working there, he worked Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., although sometimes he worked until 6:00 p.m. Advance is a large retail auto parts retailer. It has many stores. Mr. Hurley was employed as a driver in the Advance store located at 52 North Young Street, Ormond Beach, Florida, during all times pertinent. William G. Nulf was the store manager of the Ormond Beach Store during 2006. The assistant store manager was Jose Rivera. Jim Ashcraft was the "commercial parts pro." All of these men were authorized to supervise Mr. Hurley. On October 30, 2006, Mr. Hurley returned in his assigned vehicle after completing deliveries for the store. Mr. Rivera asked Mr. Hurley about receipts for the parts he had delivered. Mr. Hurley believed the receipts should be accounted for in one way and Mr. Rivera another way. These divergent views resulted in a disagreement that devolved into loud speech. Mr. Rivera told Mr. Hurley to leave the store and go home, but Mr. Hurley refused on the ground that he believed Mr. Rivera was without authority to send him home. During the disagreement Mr. Hurley was on one side of a counter, and Mr. Rivera was on the other side. As the argument progressed, Mr. Rivera stated that Mr. Hurley was a dirty, old, perverted man who should have been discharged a long time ago. Mr. Hurley also made inappropriate comments. Mr. Rivera dared Mr. Hurley to come from behind the counter and fight him. He put his fist in front of Mr. Hurley's face. Ultimately, the "commercial parts pro," Mr. Ashcraft, intervened, and his intervention ended the threat of actual physical violence. Neal Potter, the division manager for Advance having responsibility for the Ormond Beach store, investigated the incident. He used the employee handbook as a guide. The employee handbook of Advance states, "Any threats, incidents of violence, or intimidation of any nature whatsoever (including indirect threats or acts of intimidation) directed against a Team Member or other party by another Team Member will result in immediate termination." Mr. Potter took written statements from the participants and witnesses. He determined that the incident did not rise to the level of workplace violence as described in the handbook. He determined that both parties were at fault, and the incident was no more than a heated argument. Mr. Potter transferred Mr. Rivera to the Daytona Store with an effective date of November 8, 2006, because as a manager Mr. Rivera was held to a higher standard, and he had allowed the incident with Mr. Hurley to get out of control. Mr. Rivera was informed that if any similar issues occurred in the future, he would be terminated. This was memorialized in an Employee Action Report. Mr. Hurley told Mr. Potter that he was very afraid of Mr. Rivera. Subsequent to this incident, Mr. Hurley performed his job satisfactorily and rarely was in the presence of Mr. Rivera, although he did on occasion make deliveries to the Daytona Store where Mr. Rivera was then working. Mr. Hurley did not complain of discrimination as a result of this incident. The Employee Handbook has detailed guidance on how to complain of discrimination or a hostile work environment. Mr. Hurley was familiar with the process. He had complained to Mr. Potter on numerous occasions about a variety of issues, including payroll matters, vacation time, new policies and procedures, and other matters. Mr. Potter regarded him as someone who was quick to complain about almost any matter. Prior to March 4, 2007, Tom Estes was the store manager at the Daytona Store. During his tenure at the Daytona Store, Mr. Rivera was transferred to his store and served as Mr. Estes' assistant. Although Mr. Estes was aware that Mr. Rivera had been transferred from the Ormond Beach store because of an altercation with a fellow employee, he did not know that the employee involved was Mr. Hurley. Mr. Estes had prior experience with Mr. Rivera, thought him to be an excellent employee, and was happy that he had been transferred to his store. On March 4, 2007, Mr. Estes was transferred by Advance and became the manager of the Ormond Beach store. He had required drivers at the Daytona store to maintain delivery logs. He instituted this practice when he took over the Ormond Beach Store. This conformed to company policy. Mr. Hurley did not like this policy. From January 6, 2007, until March 10, 2007, Mr. Hurley's hours generally were Monday and Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00-5:30 p.m., and Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until noon. A short period after becoming manager of the Ormond Beach Store, Mr. Estes determined that more coverage was needed in the late afternoon hours. He made the specific determination that the commercial business required coverage until 6:00 p.m. For the week ending March 31, 2007, he changed Mr. Hurley's hours to Monday and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until noon. This change was based solely on Mr. Estes' estimate of the business needs of the store. When Mr. Hurley learned of this on March 21, 2007, he displayed anger. He told Mr. Estes that he could not work until 6:00 p.m. because he had to feed his pet birds. On March 26, 2007, the first day he was to work the new schedule, Mr. Hurley was excused from work based on a doctor's note. As events transpired, he never worked the new schedule and, as of the hearing date, he had not returned to work. He did not assert at the time he departed that the proposed change in hours was discriminatory, harassing, or retaliatory. The only person involved in requiring Mr. Hurley to maintain trip logs, and the only person involved in the decision to change Mr. Hurley's hours was Mr. Estes. Mr. Estes was unaware of Mr. Hurley's statement to Mr. Potter. Mr. Estes could not have made changes in Mr. Hurley's work requirements based on retaliation because he was unaware of a complaint.
Recommendation Based upon the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, RECOMMENDED that the Florida Commission on Human Relations dismiss Mr. Hurley's Petition for Relief DONE AND ENTERED this 9th day of September, 2008, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S HARRY L. HOOPER Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 9th day of September, 2008. COPIES FURNISHED: Denise Crawford, Agency Clerk Florida Commission on Human Relations 2009 Apalachee Parkway, Suite 100 Tallahassee, Florida 32301 David Glasser, Esquire Glasser and Handel Suite 100, Box N 150 South Palmetto Avenue Daytona Beach, Florida 32114 Steven David Brown, Esquire LeClair Ryan 951 East Byrd Street Richmond, Virginia 23219 Larry Kranert, General Counsel Florida Commission on Human Relations 2009 Apalachee Parkway, Suite 100 Tallahassee, Florida 32301
Findings Of Fact At all times material hereto, John L. Eifert (Respondent) was certified by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (Petitioner). Respondent was certified on July 17, 1981, being issued Certificate Number 74043. On or about June 14, 1984, Officer Goodwin of the Miami Beach Police Department (Miami Beach P.D.) was involved in an automobile accident. Officer Goodwin was off-duty at the time. The officers dispatched to the accident scene found, among other things, on the driver's side of Officer Goodwin's vehicle, evidence bags from the Miami Beach P.D. and a clear plastic bag. The evidence bags were clearly marked as Miami Beach P.D. evidence bags. The clear bag and one of the evidence bags contained a white substance that the officers suspected was cocaine. Officer Goodwin was arrested for driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages and/or narcotics. All the bags found in Officer Goodwin's vehicle at the accident scene were seized and placed into evidence. The white substance in the bags was subsequently tested. The tests revealed that the white substance was cocaine. The cocaine found in Officer Goodwin's vehicle was the same cocaine that he had seized in a narcotic's case. He had obtained the cocaine from the evidence room under false pretenses, indicating that he was going to testify in court and needed the cocaine for his testimony. There was no court hearing. Officer Goodwin obtained the cocaine for his own personal use; he intended to consume the cocaine himself. Officer Goodwin was Respondent's fellow officer with the Miami Beach P.D. and friend. They had gone through the police academy together in 1981, and they were motorcycle officers together. Prior to the accident, at approximately 9:30 a.m. on June 14, 1984, Officer Goodwin had visited Respondent at Respondent's off-duty job. Respondent was moonlighting as a security guard at a bank. Officer Goodwin had been ingesting cocaine prior to the visit, had not slept in approximately 24 hours, and was paranoid. Officer Goodwin wanted to use Respondent's residence to consume more cocaine. Because of his paranoid behavior and because he was a friend, Respondent agreed for Officer Goodwin to go to his residence and convinced Officer Goodwin to wait for him there. When Officer Goodwin arrived at Respondent's residence, he continued to ingest cocaine. Also, he placed some of the cocaine in individual plastic bags. Officer Goodwin hid the cocaine filled plastic bags in Respondent's residence. When Respondent came to his residence at approximately 4:45 p.m. that same day, he found Officer Goodwin more paranoid than before. Officer Goodwin refused to remain at Respondent's residence and left shortly before 5:00 p.m. Before leaving, Respondent agreed for Officer Goodwin to leave the cocaine filled plastic bags in his residence. Officer Goodwin informed Respondent where he had hid the bags. Respondent located the cocaine filled bags. Without getting any sleep, Respondent continued with his social activities planned for the remainder of the evening. At approximately 10:00 p.m., Respondent went to his second moonlighting job. On June 15, 1984, around 3:30 a.m., Officer Goodwin called Respondent at his second moonlighting job. Officer Goodwin informed Respondent that he had been arrested and requested that Respondent dispose of the cocaine and told him where to leave it. Unbeknownst to Respondent, Officer Goodwin was calling from police headquarters and was attempting to return the remaining cocaine to the Miami Beach P.D. Instead of following Officer Goodwin's instructions, Respondent went home around 3:50 a.m. and disposed of the cocaine by dumping it into the bay behind his residence. Respondent believed that he was helping Officer Goodwin, a friend. Subsequently, around 6:00 a.m., Respondent received another telephone call from Officer Goodwin. Respondent informed him what he had done with the cocaine. Officer Goodwin was upset about what Respondent had done. Goodwin admitted at hearing that, due to the quantity of cocaine that he had ingested, beginning June 13, 1984, and continuing into June 14, 1984, he had very little independent recollection of what happened that day. His information, as to what happened that day, is mostly from reading his statements that he had made regarding the incident, police reports, and transcripts of depositions. Further, Goodwin also admits that his recall prior to going to Respondent's residence is fair. Officer Goodwin entered into a plea agreement regarding the accident and the cocaine. The plea agreement provided, among other things, that he give testimony, regarding the incident, forever in whatever the forum may be and that he relinquish his certification from Petitioner. Presently, Goodwin is in charge of a drug treatment center for Metro- Dade County. He has been in this position for five years. In June 1984, Respondent resigned from the Miami Beach P.D. Consistent with the policy of the Miami Beach P.D. at that time, no investigation was instituted against Respondent by Internal Affairs of the Metro-Dade Police Department due to his resignation. Respondent does not deny that he permitted Goodwin to take the cocaine to his residence, that he permitted Goodwin to leave some of the cocaine at his residence, and that Goodwin left some of the cocaine at his residence. Furthermore, Respondent does not deny that the cocaine remained at his residence after Goodwin left and that he disposed of the cocaine by dumping it into the bay. At the time of his resignation, Respondent and the Miami Beach P.D. agreed that, whenever inquiries were made regarding Respondent, the Miami Beach P.D. would make neither negative nor positive comments about Respondent. The intent of this agreement was to allow Respondent to keep his record clean. However, the reverse occurred. He was effectively prevented from getting jobs in law enforcement. Subsequently, Respondent and the Miami Beach P.D. agreed to full disclosure regarding Respondent and the cocaine incident. In 1987, Respondent began to obtain employment in law enforcement. From September 1987 to January 1989, Respondent was employed as a police officer with the Indian Creek Village Police Department. From February 1989 to May 1989, he was employed as a police officer with the Florida City Police Department. Respondent resigned from both positions. In January 1990, Respondent was rehired by the Florida City Police Department (Florida City P.D.). At the time of hearing, he was still employed with the Florida City P.D. Respondent's personnel file reflects that, during his tenure as a police officer, Respondent has had one reprimand. The reprimand occurred after his resignation from the Miami Beach P.D. However, Respondent's personnel file also reflects that, during his tenure as a police officer, Respondent has had numerous commendations and letters commending his performance. He has been subjected to pressure and dangerous encounters and has performed in an exemplary manner. At hearing, several individuals, law enforcement and non-law enforcement, supported Respondent either through testimony or letters. Respondent's former pastor and the Mayor of the City of Florida City testified in support of him. Both regarded Respondent as having high moral character. Moreover, the Mayor's position was that the incident in June 1984 would have no effect on his opinion of Respondent. Additionally, the former Police Chief of the City of Miami Beach at the time of the incident in June 1984 did not find it odd or unusual for Respondent to still be in law enforcement. To him, Respondent had made a mistake, paid for the mistake, and had turned his life around. By letter, Respondent's immediate supervisor of five years with the Florida City P.D. supported him. Also, a special agent with the Florida East Coast Railway Police, who has known Respondent both personally and professionally for approximately nine years, supported Respondent. Petitioner filed the administrative complaint against Respondent on August 9, 1993. Respondent has no prior disciplinary action against him by Petitioner.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission enter a final order Reprimanding Respondent; and Placing Respondent on probation for one (1) year under terms and conditions that the Commission deems appropriate. DONE AND ENTERED in this 2nd day of January, 1997 in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. ERROL H. POWELL Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (904) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (904) 921-6847 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 2nd day of January, 1997. COPIES FURNISHED: Richard D. Courtemanche, Jr. Assistant General Counsel Florida Department of Law Enforcement Post Office Box 1489 Tallahassee, Florida 32302 Michael Braverman, Esquire Braverman and Grossman, P.A. 2780 Douglas Road, Suite 300 Miami, Florida 33133-2749 A. Leon Lowry, II, Director Division of Criminal Justice Standards and Training Post Office Box 1489 Tallahassee, Florida 32302 Michael Ramage General Counsel Florida Department of Law Enforcement Post Office Box 1489 Tallahassee, Florida 32302
The Issue This case concerns the issue of whether Respondent's beverage license should be suspended, revoked or otherwise disciplined for permitting prostitution activity on his licensed premises. At the formal hearing the Petitioner called as witnesses John Harris, Kelvin Davis, Carlos Bauxalli, Lewis Terminello, Hugo Gomez, Louis Viglione, Keith Bernard Hamilton, and Alfonso Scott Julious. Respondent called as witnesses Isaac Dweck, Gary Arthur, Irene Madden, Collins Jones, Mary Scott, Debbie Heenan, Judy Pearson, Joe E. Clements, Cecil Rolle, and the Respondent himself, Eddie Lee Pittman. Petitioner offered and had admitted a videotape which was viewed during the hearing. Respondent offered and had admitted one exhibit. Petitioner also offered a composite exhibit containing police reports relating to the licensed premises for the years 1981 and 1982. That composite exhibit was admitted as hearsay to corroborate the testimony of the police officers relating to the reputation of the licensed premises. These police records were of very limited probative value and no finding of fact was based upon these records. Neither party submitted proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law for consideration by the Hearing Officer.
Findings Of Fact At all times material to this proceeding the Respondent, Eddie Lee Pittman, was the holder of beverage license No. 23-371, Series 2-COP. The license is issued to the licensed premises at 1772 N.W. 79th Street, Miami, Dade County, Florida, and was originally issued to Respondent on October 6, 1965. On the evening of March 22, 1983, Beverage Officer Kelvin Davis visited the licensed premises, Eddie's Dive Inn, in an undercover capacity to investigate possible prostitution activity in the licensed premises. Officer Davis was accompanied by Beverage Officer Eddie Bauxalli. After entering the licensed premises Officer Davis was approached by a white female named Elnora Moore who engaged him in conversation. The conversation led to a discussion of voter registration cards and Ms. Moore stated that a voter registration card could get you out of jail on a misdemeanor charge. Officer Davis asked why she needed a card for that purpose and Ms. Moore said because of solicitation. She then asked Officer Davis if he would like to be solicited and asked how much money he had. He responded that he had twenty dollars and she said that would get him a "straight." "Straight" is slang or street language for sexual intercourse. He agreed to the price but told her he also had a friend (Officer Bauxalli). Ms. Moore offered to service both men for $100. Officer Davis and Officer Bauxalli agreed to this offer and the three of them prepared to leave. The conversation between Ms. Moore and Officer Davis took place next to the bar where the officers were seated. This was approximately three to five feet from the cash register where the bartender on duty was working. The conversation took place in a normal tone of voice. As Officers Davis and Bauxalli and Ms. Moore began to leave, a white female named Peggy Schultz yelled across the bar to Officer Bauxalli and asked where he was going. Officer Bauxalli yelled back that he was going to have a good time. In response, Ms. Schultz yelled back "How can you have a good time without a date?" Officer Bauxalli responded that he would figure something out. At this point Ms. Schultz walked over to Officer Bauxalli. Ms. Schultz asked Officer Bauxalli if he wanted a "date" and he asked what is a "date." She responded that a "date" is a "straight" for $20 or a "straight" and a "blow job" for $25. He agreed to a "date" and Ms. Schultz then told him to drive around to the back and she and Ms. Moore would meet them at the back door. She also stated that the owner did not like the girls to go out the front door. Officers Bauxalli and Davis then left the bar, drove around to the back door of the licensed premises and picked up Ms. Moore and Ms. Schultz, who were waiting just inside the back door of the lounge. While Officers Bauxalli and Davis were in the licensed premises, the bar was pretty crowded and there was a lot of noise from people talking. At the time Ms. Schultz solicited Officer Bauxalli, she spoke in a normal tone of voice while they stood approximately four or five feet from the cash register on the bar. Ms. Schultz was dressed in a low-cut blue silky dress that was made of a material which you could easily see through. She was wearing only panties underneath the dress. The owner, Mr. Pittman, was observed in the licensed premises on the evening of March 22, but there was no evidence that he observed or overheard any of the discussions between the two beverage officers and Ms. Schultz and Ms. Moore. On the evening of September 17, 1983, at approximate1y. 10:A5 p.m., Beverage Officer Louis J. Terminello went to the licensed premises in an undercover capacity. Immediately upon entering the licensed premises he was approached by a white female named Michelle Orfino. The bar was pretty crowded and there were a number of females in the bar and poolroom area who by their dress appeared to be prostitutes. These women were mingling with the men at the bar and in the poolroom area. A number of couples were exiting through the back entrance. When Ms. Orfino approached Officer Terminello, she walked up to him and asked if he was looking for a "date." He asked her what a "date" was and she said "a blow job." She then asked if he wanted one and Officer Terminello responded "yes." She told him the price would be $20 plus $5 for the room. As they had been talking Officer Terminello, accompanied by Ms. Orfino, walked into the poolroom area. After agreeing to the price, Officer Terminello took Ms. Orfino by the arm and started to walk out the front door of the lounge. She stopped him and said that they had to use the back door because Eddie does not allow them to leave through the front door. She then told him to drive around back and Officer Terminello responded that his car was just outside the back door. She then walked with him out the back entrance and into the parking lot. As they walked to his car Officer Terminello observed the Respondent, Eddie Pittman, in the parking lot. After driving away, Officer Terminello placed Ms. Orfino under arrest. Ms. Orfino was dressed in a very low-cut latex body suit. For at least three nights prior to September 17, Officer Terminello, while on surveillance, had observed a continuous pattern of a patron entering the bar, coming back out and driving his car to the rear entrance. A woman would then come out the back door, get in the car and they would drive away. Twenty minutes or so later the car would come back and the girl would get out and go back in. After the arrest of September 17, Officer Terminello returned to the bar in the early morning hours of September 18 to arrest two other women for prostitution. The Respondent had not been advised of the arrests on September 17. On the evening of September 15, 1983, Beverage Officer Louis Viglione went to the licensed premises, Eddie's Dive Inn. After entering the licensed premises he took a seat at the bar near the rear entrance. Shortly after entering, he was joined by two black females named Veronica and Angie. He purchased a beer for each of the two women and the three of them engaged in conversation about good times, good loving, and Pink House. The Pink House is a boarding house in the area where the licensed premises is located and is used by prostitutes for "dates." A "date" is a slang or street term used commonly by prostitutes to refer to sexual intercourse or other sexual acts for pay. During this conversation, Veronica stated that one hour with her would cost $40 or $50 and Angie stated that she charged $100 an hour. As an excuse, Officer Viglione then stated that he did not have enough money because he wanted two women at once. He remained in the lounge approximately one more hour and left. On this particular evening Veronica was wearing a short white dress and Angie was wearing a blue print dress with white stockings. Both were dressed in what Officer Viglione described as normal dress. Several other women in the lounge were dressed in a very provocative manner and appeared by their dress to be prostitutes. The lounge was approximately 3/4 full of patrons, but it was not particularly noisy or boisterous. There were also several women outside the front and rear entrances of the licensed premises who appeared to be prostitutes. The area where the licensed premises is located is an area which has a visible concentration of prostitutes and has a reputation as an area where prostitution is prevalent. At approximately 9:30 p.m. on September 16, 1983, Beverage Officer Keith Bernard Hamilton entered Eddie's Dive Inn. Upon entering the lounge, Officer Hamilton took a seat at the west end of the bar. There were approximately 40 or 50 male patrons in the lounge and at least 30 women. The women were scantily dressed in very revealing clothes and were observed by Officer Hamilton to be moving around the bar stopping and talking with the men. Several of the women left the bar after talking to one of the men who also left the bar. While seated at the bar, Officer Hamilton was approached by a young black female named Anna. Anna had been talking to a white male seated next to Officer Hamilton. She asked Officer Hamilton what he was interested in tonight. He asked what she had and she asked if he wanted to fuck. She also stated that for $35 plus $5 for the room she would give him a "suck and fuck." He said he would wait for a while and Anna left but returned several times during the evening. After Anna left, another woman walked up to Officer Hamilton and asked if he dated. He was short with her and she moved over and began talking to the white male seated next to him. A few minutes later, Officer Hamilton went to the bathroom and was stopped by a black female named Carol Lawrence. Ms. Lawrence stated that she needed money and asked if he could help her out. Officer Hamilton asked what did she have and Ms. Lawrence responded "a suck and fuck for $35." Officer Hamilton agreed to this but said he wanted to wait a while. She then left, but approached him at least three more times that evening. On the evening of September 16, 1983, there were three security guards at the licensed premises. They primarily remained outside where they regulated the crowd outside the lounge. One of the guards told one of the females that she shouldn't leave with a guy but should wait inside the rear door. The guard did not object to the woman and man leaving in the man's car. On this particular evening, the Respondent was present at the licensed premises until approximately 11:00 p.m. He was in and out of his office during the course of the evening. On September 17, 1983, at approximately 9:30 p.m. Officer Hamilton returned to the licensed premises, Eddie's Dive Inn. When Officer Hamilton entered the lounge, the Respondent was seated at the bar. The activity in the bar was about the same as the night of September 16, and there was a smaller crowd. There were about 20 women in the bar. These women were walking around the bar talking to the men. There was a man seated next to Mr. Pittman who was being kissed by one of the women. After kissing the man she moved on and began talking to another male patron. Shortly after entering the lounge one of the women in the lounge looked at Officer Hamilton and winked. Later, when Officer Hamilton was in the rear of the lounge near the bathrooms, be observed this same woman standing near the rear entrance. He asked her where she was going and she responded that she would be back. She then offered him a "suck and fuck" for $20 plus the cost of the room. As she walked out the rear entrance Officer Hamilton agreed to the offer. That same evening Officer Hamilton was again approached by Anna whom he had met the previous evening. She asked if he was ready and again told him the price of a "suck and fuck." He agreed and she told him to leave out the front door and she would wait around back. Officer Hamilton left the lounge and drove his car to the rear entrance where Anna was waiting just inside the screened door of the back entrance. On the evening of September 15, 1983, at approximately 9:15 p.m., Beverage Officer Alfonso Scott Julious entered the licensed premises. There were several men seated inside the bar and several women were walking around the bar. The women were dressed casually and some were wearing short dresses which were low cut in the front. After entering the licensed premises Officer Julious observed women from time to time leave the bar with a man and then come back. Each of the women exited through the rear door. At approximately 9:45 p.m. Officer Julious was approached by a white female named Gail Sylvia James. She asked if he wanted a "date" and he said what is a "date." She then said that she would "fuck him and suck him" for $30. He responded that he would be around for a while and would get back to her. Officer Julious left the lounge at approximately 10:30 p.m. During the evening Officer Julious had overheard other men being solicited and observed at least five men leave with women. On this evening Officer Julious considered the women's dress to be casual, nice dresses. Officer Julious returned to the licensed premises at approximately 9:00 p.m. on September 16, 1983. After entering the lounge he was approached by a white female named Patricia. She asked him if he wanted a "date" and he asked "what is a "date?" She then said she would fuck him for $30. Officer Julious responded that he would be around and would get back to her. Some time later in the evening Gail James, whom he had met the previous night, approached Officer Julious and asked if he was ready for a "date." She said she would go half and half, "suck and fuck" for $30. He told her he would be around for a while. Officer Julious was also approached by a woman named Mindy Jo Gelfin, who asked if he wanted a "date." He asked "What is a date?" and she responded "half and half, fuck and suck" for $40. He also did not accept this offer. Officer Julious left the licensed premises at approximately 10:45 p.m. On Saturday, September 17, 1983, Officer Julious returned to the licensed premises at approximately 9:05 p.m. The Respondent, Eddie Lee Pittman, was in the lounge. Immediately after entering the licensed premises, Officer Julious was approached by Mindy Gelfin, who asked if he was ready for a "date." Officer Julious stated that he would be around all night and Mindy said she would come back. Later, Mindy returned and asked if he was ready and he responded "yes." He asked if they could go to the Holiday Inn and she asked if he was a cop. Officer Julious said "Do I look like a cop?" She then asked if she could pat him down. He said "yes" and she patted him down. She then said that she wanted to go in a friend's car. She borrowed the car and drove to the Holiday Inn where she was arrested. At the time of her arrest Mindy Jo Gelfin was residing with Collins Winston Jones and his girlfriend. At the time of the final hearing, Mindy Gelfin was continuing to live at Mr. Jones' residence. Mr. Jones' girlfriend had allowed her to move in. Mr. Jones is the manager of Eddie's Dive Inn. On September 29, 1983, Detective Hugo Gomez of the Metropolitan Dade County Police Department went to the licensed premises, Eddie's Dive Inn. Detective Gomez was accompanied by Detectives Manny Gonzalez and Ray Gonzalez. Detective Gomez stood at the west end of the bar and his two partners sat at the bar next to him. After they ordered a beer, they were approached by a white female named Catrina Gibides. She sat down between the two officers who were seated. She asked what they were doing and told Detective Gomez he looked like a cop. He then pulled up his pants legs to show he was wearing no socks and she said "you can't be a cop" and grabbed his groin. She then began playing with Manny Gonzalez's leg and asked if they wanted a "date." She was wearing a very loose chiffon type outfit and her breasts were barely covered. The officers who were seated had been pretending not to speak English and Ms. Gibides asked Detective Gomez to ask Manny Gonzales if he wanted to go across the street to a motel with her. She said that she would perform intercourse and fellatio for $25 plus $5. She then called over another white female named Lisa Brown, who also began talking about going across the street to a motel. Lisa Brown said her price was $25 plus $5 for the room. They then discussed going in different cars. During these conversations the bar was crowded and Eddie Pittman was in the lounge approximately 8 to 10 feet from where the officers were located. It was pretty loud in the bar. There were also barmaids working behind the bar. Isaac Dweck is a regular patron of Eddie's Dive Inn. He goes there primarily on Sunday afternoons to watch football and shoot pool. He is almost never in the licensed premises after 9:00 p.m. and averages going to the lounge four or five times a month. He has never been solicited for prostitution in the lounge and has never overheard someone else being solicited. Gary Arthur goes to Eddie's Dive Inn two or three times a week and generally leaves some time between 7:30 and 9:00 p.m. Once or twice he has stayed until 11:00 or 12:00 p.m. He has never been solicited for prostitution and has never overheard anyone else being solicited. He has been going to Eddie's Dive Inn for five or six years. The Respondent has a policy against drugs, fighting, solicitation, and profanity and also has a dress code. He employs 11 full-time employees at the lounge and three or four of these employees are security guards who work at front and back doors. The Respondent has a closed circuit television system with cameras on the cash register and pool room area. The screen is in Respondent's office. Over the past 12 years the manager, Collins Jones, has barred 12 or 13 women from the bar after he heard them soliciting in the bar. In the twenty years he has operated Eddie's Dive Inn, the Respondent has barred approximately 20 women from coming into the licensed premises because of prostitution. Once the women are arrested for prostitution, they are barred from the premises. There are signs posted in the bar prohibiting soliciting. Irene Madden works as a barmaid at Eddie's Dive Inn. She has been instructed to not serve known prostitutes and that if she heard someone soliciting she should diplomatically ask them to not do that and inform Mr. Pittman or the manager. Mary Scott works as a barmaid at Eddie's Dive Inn. She has heard women solicit in the lounge for prostitution. She does not have the authority to ask someone who solicits for prostitution to leave the premises. She does have authority to ask people to leave who are in violation of the dress code. In September, 1972, the Respondent was charged in an administrative proceeding against his license with permitting prostitution on the licensed premises. He was also charged criminally with permitting prostitution. Respondent paid a $350 administrative fine and his license was placed on probation for the remainder of the license year. He pleaded guilty to the criminal charge.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED: That a Final Order be entered finding the Respondent in violation of Section 561.29, Florida Statutes, and imposing a civil penalty of $1,000 and suspending Respondent's beverage license for a period of ninety (90) days. DONE AND ENTERED this 9th day of November, 1983, at Tallahassee, Florida. MARVIN E. CHAVIS, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 9th day of November, 1983. COPIES FURNISHED: William A. Hatch, Esquire Gary R. Rutledge, Secretary Department of Business Department of Business Regulation Regulation 725 South Bronough Street 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Arthur M. Garel, Esquire 40 Southwest 13th Street Miami, Florida 33130 Howard Milan Rasmussen, Director Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301
The Issue The issues in this case are whether Respondents unlawfully discriminated against Petitioners on the basis of race, or retaliated against them for exercising a protected right, or both, in violation of the Florida Fair Housing Act.
Findings Of Fact Because no evidence was admitted into the record at the final hearing, the undersigned cannot make any findings of fact. § 120.57(1)(j), Fla. Stat. (“Findings of fact shall be based … exclusively on the evidence of record and on matters officially recognized.”).
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Florida Commission on Human Relations enter a final order finding Respondents not liable for housing discrimination and awarding Petitioners no relief. DONE AND ENTERED this 27th day of October, 2020, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S JOHN G. VAN LANINGHAM Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 27th day of October, 2020. COPIES FURNISHED: Antonio Carraway Whang Carraway 1406 Southwest Osprey Cove Port St. Lucie, Florida 34986 (eServed) Jillian Sidisky, Esquire Stefanie S. Copelow, Esquire Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A. 222 Lakeview Avenue, Suite 120 West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 (eServed) Tammy S. Barton, Agency Clerk Florida Commission on Human Relations 4075 Esplanade Way, Room 110 Tallahassee, Florida 32399 (eServed) Cheyanne Costilla, General Counsel Florida Commission on Human Relations 4075 Esplanade Way, Room 110 Tallahassee, Florida 32399 (eServed)
The Issue Whether or not on or about August 9, 1978, Beach Park Motel, Inc., a vendor, licensed under the Beverage Law, its agent, servant, or employee, one Ruth Ira Holmes, did unlawfully offer to commit prostitution, lewdness or assignation, for the sum of $40.00 U.S. currency, with Beverage Sergeant R. A. Boyd, contrary to Subsection 796.07(3)(a), Florida Statutes, and Section 561.29, Florida Statutes. Whether or not on or about August 22, 1978, Beach Park Motel, Inc. , a vendor, licensed under the Beverage Law, its agent, servant, or employee, one Diana Alice Baumbach, did unlawfully offer to commit prostitution, lewdness or assignation for the sum of $40.00 U.S. currency, with Beverage Officer B. A. Watts, contrary to Subsection 796.07(3)(a), Florida Statutes, and Section 561.29, Florida Statutes. Whether or not on or about September 6, 1978, Beach Park Motel, Inc., a vendor, licensed under the Beverage Law, its agent, servant, or employee, one Diana Alice Baumbach, did unlawfully offer to commit prostitution, lewdness, or assignation for the sum of $50.00 U.S. currency, with Beverage Officer C. E. Lloyd, contrary to Subsection 796.07(3)(a), Florida Statutes, and Section 561.29, Florida Statutes. Whether or not on or about September 6, 1978, Beach Park Motel, Inc., a vendor, licensed under the Beverage Law, on its above-described licensed premises, by its agent, servant, or employee, or entertainer, one, Diana Alice Baumbach, did unlawfully beg or solicit a patron, customer, or visitor, Beverage Officer C. E. Lloyd to purchase a beverage, to-wit; "CHERRY DELIGHT", for such employee, servant, agent or entertainer, in violation of Section 562.131, Florida Statutes. (The charging document, i.e., Notice to Show Cause, originally contained other allegations found in its Counts 1 and 5; however, those counts were withdrawn by the Petitioner in the course of the hearing and are therefore removed from consideration through this Recommended Order.)
Findings Of Fact The Respondent in this cause is Beach Park Motel, Inc. , a closely held corporation. This corporation is a holder of Beverage License No. 15-002265, Series 4-COP, to trade as Beach Park Motel at a business premises located at 4290 Ocean Beach Boulevard, Coco Beach, Florida. This license is held with Petitioner, State of Florida, Department of Business Regulation, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, which organization has responsibility for the licensure and regulation of those several business entities within the State that sell alcoholic beverages. This case is here presented for consideration on the basis of a Notice to Show Cause/Administrative Complaint which contains six counts, Counts 1 and 5 having been withdrawn. The details of the remaining counts are as set forth in the issues statement of this Recommended Order. On August 9, 1978, Officers Richard Boyd and Bethel Watts, Jr., of the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, went to the licensed premises at 4290 Ocean Beach Boulevard, Cocoa Beach, Florida, for purposes of investigating alleged prostitution activities at the licensed premises. They entered the premises and took a seat at the bar around 9:30 p.m. While seated there, they observed Ruth Ira Holmes performing as an entertainer in the bar by dancing. This person, Holmes, was also referred to by a stage name, "Nina". Holmes then left the stage and approached Officer Boyd, who was sitting in a separate location from Officer Watts. This contact between Holmes and Boyd occurred thirty or forty minutes after the officers had arrived at the licensed premises. There ensued a discussion between Boyd and Holmes on the subject of purchasing marijuana. (The allegation concerning the Respondent's participation in this alleged possession and sale of marijuana has been withdrawn.) Holmes then went around the service bar and picked up her purse from behind the bar. Boyd and Holmes then left the interior of the licensed premises. Once outside Holmes produced two envelopes with a substance which appeared to be marijuana and the officer also observed in her purse a larger bag which had a substance of similar appearance. Boyd asked how much the contents of the larger bag would cost and gave her $25.00, purchasing those contents. The witness then returned the small envelopes to her purse. Boyd asked Holmes what she was doing after work and she replied, "Are you asking for a 'date'?" Boyd responded, "Yes" and Holmes stated, "You mean 'that'?" and thrust her body at him. Boyd asked her what it was going to cost and she replied that for $40.00 she would do anything he wanted. He accepted her offer and she gave him the key to Room 224, which was a key to the motel part of the Respondent's establishment. Holmes checked to make sure that no one was observing them and they proceeded to the motel room. When they reached the room, he gave her two twenty dollar bills. She placed the money in her purse and took off her clothing with the exception of a "G" string and stated to him, "Let's get started." Boyd moved-toward the door of the motel room, after which he produced his law enforcement officer's identification badge and officers of the Brevard County Sheriff's Department took Holmes into custody. Howard Warren, President of the Respondent corporation, was seen at the licensed premises that night. Later, in connection with an investigation of her activities, a statement was given to Officers Boyd and Watts by Ruth Ira Holmes in which she indicated to the officers that she had been employed in the licensed premises known as the "Booby Trap" to work as a dancer and Howard Warren, then President of the Respondent corporation, had hired her. Her rate of pay was $2.50 per hour. She further stated that she had been employed for about seven months and was paid at the end of each week by check from Howard Warren. The Petitioner's Composite Exhibit 4 admitted into evidence is a series of checks written by Howard Warren and made payable to Ruth Ira Holmes beginning on July 7, 1978, with the last check being drawn on September 1, 1978, and one of the checks being drawn on August 1, 1978. The observation of Holmes' dancing on the licensed premises on the night in question, the statement that she was an employee paid by Howard Warren and the series of checks drawn by Howard Warren to Ruth Holmes, also known as Ruth Ira Holmes, are sufficient to show that Ruth Ira Holmes was employed as a dancer by the Respondent to work at the licensed premises in such capacity on August 9, 1978. This determination is further borne out by the Petitioner's Exhibits 3 and 5 admitted into evidence which are copies of the payroll accounts of the Respondent showing that Ruth Holmes was an employee and by part of Petitioner's Composite Exhibit 6, which is a motel registration card showing Ruth Holmes to be registered in the same room, 224, spoken to before and shows her occupation to be dancer. Officer Watts returned to the licensed premises on August 22, 1978, and again operating in an undercover capacity. While seated at the bar, he was approached by Diana Baumbach, also known as 'Misty'. Baumbach asked Watts if he were having a good time and he told her that things were rather slow and that he had been led to understand that the "Booby Trap" was a place where the action was. Baumbach responded by telling Watts that she could provide him some action for $40.00, either a "blow job"/fellatio or "screw"/intercourse. During this conversation Baumbach indicated that she worked in the licensed premises. She also stated in the course of the conversation that when a certain girl who was dancing had finished her performance it would be Baumbach's turn. Baumbach was wearing a long sleeved jacket and bikini panties and after this initial discussion with Watts went to the dance area and performed for the crowd. Baumbach returned to the location of the officer and stated she was ready to go. They walked through the rear of the bar and she took him to Room 206 in the motel part of the Respondent's complex. They entered Room 206 and Baumbach stated that she wanted her $40.00 and Watts gave her two twenty dollar bills. Baumbach took off her coat and Watts stated that he wanted to check to see if anyone was outside. He opened the door and allowed an officer of the Cocoa Beach Police Department to enter the room and Baumbach was arrested. On September 6, 1978, Officer C. E. Lloyd of the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco went to the licensed premises in an undercover capacity to investigate alleged prostitution at that location. He entered the licensed premises and took a seat at the bar in the area of the dance floor. After being seated, he was approached by Diana Baumbach, who asked him if she could sit down. She inquired if Lloyd would buy her a drink and he complied with that request and bought the drink. She then asked Lloyd if he "messed around" and his answer was, "Sometimes." She stated that she would give him a "blow job"/fellatio for $30.00 or "all the way"/intercourse for $50.00. She then stated that she could not go right away because the master of ceremonies was going to call her up to dance. She danced two times in front of the audience. The dancing she did was a topless routine. She returned to Lloyd's location and asked if he knew his way around and stated that he should go up to Room 216 and that she would follow up. When he arrived at Room 216 in that part of the Respondent's establishment, Baumbach was already there. They went inside the room and Baumbach again advised Lloyd that the price was $50.00. She took her clothes off and he took off his shoes and then went to the door, at which point he advised Baumbach that she was being arrested and she was arrested. Lloyd later spoke with Howard Warren about the solicitation for prostitution that had occurred on the part of Baumbach as a follow up to his investigation and the arrest of Baumbach. Baumbach, on the occasions of August 22, 1978, and September 6, 1978, at which points she solicited Officers Watts and Lloyd, respectively, for the purposes of committing prostitution, was an employee, agent and entertainer of the Respondent in the sense of the dance performances she gave for the benefit of the patrons in the licensed premises. This determination of employment is supported by the testimony of Carol Sue Warren, daughter of Howard Warren and manager of the "Booby Trap" during August and September, 1978, who testified that Baumbach was an employee of the Respondent at time which corresponds to August 22, 1978, and September 6, 1978. Moreover, the rendezvous between Ruth Ira Holmes and Officer Boyd on August 9, 1978; the rendezvous between Diana Alice Baumbach and Officer Watts on August 22, 1978, and the rendezvous between Diana Alice Baumbach and Officer Lloyd which occurred on September 6, 1978; all these meetings for purposes of committing prostitution in the motel which is a part of the Respondent's establishment located at 4290 Ocean Beach Boulevard, Cocoa Beach, Florida, were types of activities known by the officials of the Respondent to be taking place. This knowledge on the part of the officials of the Respondent covered the period of August 9, 1978, through September 6, 1978, and pertained not only to the solicitation to commit prostitution, lewdness or assignation and the occurrence of such prostitution, lewdness and assignation on the part of Ruth Ira Holmes and Diana Alice Baumbach but also pertained to such activities by other employees or dancers who worked in the licensed premises during this period of time. This knowledge on the part of the Respondent's officials, and in particular its president, Howard Warren, was not part of a pattern of conduct which actively condoned activities of prostitution by the employees and/or dancers who worked at the licensed premises, in fact the owners had a stated policy of not allowing prostitution or soliciting drinks or activities involved with drugs on the part of their female employees or others who might be dancing in the licensed premises and the Respondent's representatives had fired certain of the female employees in the past when they had been discovered committing acts of prostitution. Nonetheless, the Respondent in the person of Howard Warren stated that he did not wish prostitution in the licensed premises but didn't feel he could really effectively stop it and went further by rehiring Ruth Ira Holmes as an employee of the Respondent after she had been discovered committing acts of prostitution. Holmes, after returning as an employee, then continued her activities as a prostitute. Diana Alice Baumbach had also been employed by the Respondent and had been fired several times during the course of her employment, one of those firings occurring after her arrest for the prostitution incident involving Officer Watts that occurred on August 22, 1978. She was then rehired and was an employee of the Respondent on September 6, 1978, when she committed a further act of soliciting for prostitution which occurred with Officer Lloyd. Baumbach was also represented by Howard Warren as attorney following an arrest. Both Holmes and Baumbach were allowed to remain as tenants in the Respondent's motel, the same motel where the prostitution had occurred, and were allowed to do so following their arrests in August of 1978, for prostitution offenses.
Recommendation In consideration of the facts found herein, the Conclusions of Law reached and those matters offered in mitigation, it is RECOMMENDED that the license of the Respondent, Beach Park Motel, Inc. d/b/a Beach Park Motel, be REVOKED. 4/ DONE AND ENTERED this 6th day of March, 1980, in Tallahassee, Florida. CHARLES C. ADAMS, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 101, Collins Building Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675
The Issue Whether Respondent, a place of public accommodation, violated Section 760.08, Florida Statutes (2006), by failing to accommodate Petitioner, an individual with a disability.
Findings Of Fact Based on the oral and documentary evidence presented at the formal hearing and on the entire record of this proceeding, the following Findings of Fact are made: Petitioner, Shawn Sutton, is physically disabled and entitled to the protection of the Florida Civil Rights Act. Respondent is the owner of Golden Corral Restaurant, which is a structure for public accommodation. On July 8, 2007, Petitioner, accompanied by his parents, grandmother and siblings, visited Respondent restaurant for the purpose of eating therein. The total number in the group that accompanied Petitioner was approximately 15. Prior to July 8, 2007, Petitioner's family was a frequent customer of Respondent restaurant and had eaten there on approximately 50 occasions. There had never been a request for special accommodations for Shawn Sutton on any previous occasion. Respondent has a sign on the front door of the restaurant that reads as follows: "Please remain with your party until seated. For guests with special needs, please see the manager. Golden Corral." Respondent is a buffet restaurant. Patrons pay for meals upon entry and prior to being seated. Respondent has a seating policy that requires all persons on the same receipt of payment to remain seated together until a waitress takes their beverage order, verifies that all persons in the party are included on the receipt, and delivers a plate to each person. The members of a party are then free to sit wherever they choose. On July 23, 2007, after a visit to the same restaurant on that day, Petitioner's mother emailed Golden Corral three times complaining about rudeness and lack of professionalism on the part of restaurant employees. In one email, she makes her only reference to the matter at issue in this case, indicating that when told that her son was disabled, a restaurant employee, "Tangie," "changed the entire tone and tried to accomidate [sic] us the best she could." While Petitioner's disability is such that he needs assistance carrying his plate (and food) from the buffet line to his seat, he is able to feed himself without assistance. On July 8, 2007, the entire family sat together and Petitioner was able to eat after his mother and grandmother assisted him in obtaining his food. The evidence revealed that Petitioner's mother's complaint was substantially directed to the "rudeness" she perceived from Respondent's employees.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Florida Commission on Human Relations enter a final order dismissing with prejudice the Petition for Relief for failure to establish an unlawful discriminatory act by Respondent. DONE AND ENTERED this 13th day of August, 2008, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S JEFF B. CLARK Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 13th day of August, 2008. COPIES FURNISHED: Cecil Howard, General Counsel Florida Commission on Human Relations 2009 Apalachee Parkway, Suite 100 Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Denise Crawford, Agency Clerk Florida Commission on Human Relations 2009 Apalachee Parkway, Suite 100 Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Maureen M. Deskins, Esquire Butler, Pappas, Weihmuller Katz and Craig, LLP 777 South Harbor Island Boulevard Suite 500 Tampa, Florida 33602 Jerry Girley, Esquire The Girley Law Firm, P.A. 125 East Marks Street Orlando, Florida 32803
The Issue The issues for determination in this proceeding are whether Respondent, KaShamba Miller-Anderson, violated section 112.3145(8)(c), Florida Statutes (2016), by willfully failing to file a 2015 CE Form 1, “Statement of Financial Interests”; and, if so, what penalty should be imposed.
Findings Of Fact Respondent is currently a member of the Riviera Beach City Council. As a member of the Riviera Beach City Council, Respondent served as a “local officer” as defined in section 112.3145(1)(a), throughout the year 2015. Respondent was aware that she was required to file a CE Form 1 every year, including for the year 2015. Financial disclosures are filed in order to allow the public to monitor public officials and employees for any conflicts of interest that may arise. The requirement that financial disclosures be filed is intended to deter corruption and increase the public’s confidence in government. In 2016, Respondent received e-mails at the address kmiller@rivierabch.com. She received regular mail at the address 430 West 28th Street, Riviera Beach, Florida 33404. The CE Form 1, “Statement of Financial Interests,” for calendar year 2015 was required to be filed on or before July 1, 2016. There is a grace period for filing the form that expired on September 1, 2016. After the expiration of the grace period, an automatic fine of $25 per day was imposed for each day the form is late, up to a maximum fine of $1,500. The maximum fine accrued on October 31, 2016. The Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections (Palm Beach SOE) office sent Respondent the original blank 2015 financial disclosure form, along with the requirements for filing the form, before June 1, 2016. She was instructed to file her completed form no later than July 1, 2016. Respondent failed to file her 2015 CE Form 1 by either July 1, 2016, or September 1, 2016. Respondent received notice from the Commission regarding her failure to file her 2015 CE Form 1. On July 31, 2016, the Palm Beach SOE sent a delinquency memorandum to Respondent at 430 West 28th Street, Riviera Beach, Florida 33404 by certified mail. The mail was unclaimed. The July 31, 2016, memorandum included the following statement: Pursuant to State law, please be advised that although you are delinquent in filing Form 1, a grace period is in effect until September 1, 2016. If your form is not received by September 1, 2016, we will be required by law to notify the Commission on Ethics of the delinquency. A fine of $25 for each day late will be imposed, up to the maximum penalty of $1500. In addition, pursuant to enacted legislation, the Commission on Ethics must initiate investigations of delinquent filers in certain circumstances. This can result in you being removed from your public office or employment. Respondent took no action to file her form by September 1, 2016. If she had done so, it would have been considered timely. Commission staff sent Respondent a courtesy letter on September 7, 2016, and advised her that she was accruing a fine of $25 per day for failure to file her 2015 CE Form 1. The Commission also e-mailed Respondent on September 20, 2016, using the e-mail address kmiller@rivierabch.com. Respondent accrued the maximum fine of $1,500 as of October 31, 2016, as authorized by section 112.3145(7)(f), for failing to file her CE Form 1 for the year 2015. On November 4, 2016, the Commission again e-mailed Respondent at the same e-mail address, advising her that the maximum fine had accrued and she still needed to file her 2015 CE Form 1. The November 4, 2016, e-mail attached a blank 2015 CE Form 1 and a form to appeal her fine. Respondent did not avail herself of the opportunity to appeal the fine that had accrued. On February 21, 2017, the Commission sent Respondent a Notice of Assessment of Automatic Fine by certified mail, using the 430 West 28th Street address. Respondent acknowledged receipt of the February 2017 notice. This e-mail also provided the appeal process for contesting the maximum fine. Respondent did not pay the fine at that time because she did not have the funds to do so. She believed, in error, that she now could not file the 2015 CE Form 1 until she paid the fine. Her belief, however misplaced, was sincere. On June 16, 2017, the Commission mailed Respondent a Notification of Issuance of Default Final Order at the 430 West 28th Street address. The Notice was not returned to the Commission as undeliverable. On June 22, 2017, Respondent paid the $1,500 fine. On June 28, 2017, Respondent filed her CE Form 1 for calendar year 2015. Respondent did not have a particularly compelling reason for not timely filing her 2015 CE Form 1. Her position on the city council is a part-time position, for which she is not assigned an assistant. She admitted at hearing that the notice and the form simply got lost on her desk, and she did not make it a priority. However, Respondent claims that while filing her 2015 CE Form 1 was not the priority it should have been, she never intended not to file the form, and she never indicated to anyone that she would not do so. Respondent filed her 2015 CE Form 1 and paid the fine prior to the finding of probable cause in this case. There are some differences between the financial disclosure Respondent filed when she initially ran for office and the one filed for 2015. Those differences however, are not so great as to support an inference or finding that she was attempting to hide something by not filing timely. The term for which Respondent was elected expired on March 21, 2018. She was re-elected for another term which began March 21, 2018.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Florida Commission on Ethics enter a final order and public report finding that no violation of section 112.3145(8)(c) has been demonstrated. DONE AND ENTERED this 7th day of June, 2018, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S LISA SHEARER NELSON Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 7th day of June, 2018. COPIES FURNISHED: Millie Wells Fulford, Agency Clerk Florida Commission on Ethics Post Office Drawer 15709 Tallahassee, Florida 32317-5709 (eServed) Melody A. Hadley, Esquire Office of the Attorney General The Capitol, Plaza Level 01 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1050 (eServed) Ronald G. Meyer, Esquire Meyer, Brooks, Demma and Blohm, P.A. 131 North Gadsden Street (32301) Post Office Box 1547 Tallahassee, Florida 32302 (eServed) C. Christopher Anderson, III, General Counsel Florida Commission on Ethics Post Office Drawer 15709 Tallahassee, Florida 32317-5709 (eServed) Virlindia Doss, Executive Director Florida Commission on Ethics Post Office Drawer 15709 Tallahassee, Florida 32317-5709 (eServed)