Posted inNews & Views
Pinellas sheriff secretly texted traffic stop video to former TPD Chief Mary O’Connor
The texts were initially missing from a public records request fulfilled by the Pinellas County Sheriff.
Justin Garcia
Justin Garcia has written for The Nation, Investigative Reporters & Editors Journal, the USA Today Network and various other news outlets. When he's not writing, Justin likes to make music, read, play basketball and spend time with loved ones.
Posted inNews & Views
DeSantis appoints anti-abortion Hillsborough County judge Jared Smith to appeals court
Hillsborough County voters removed the judge from his seat in August.
Posted inNews & Views
Hillsborough County workers face paycheck problems ahead of holidays
Workers estimate that hundreds of county employees have not been paid correctly over the past month.
Posted inNews & Views
New Port Richey police chief defends cops who made Holocaust joke and prayed with Proud Boys
The chief read off a list of disturbing police incidents, and defended all of them.
Posted inNews & Views
A year after launch, Tampa Hope’s homeless shelter cottages have yet to be built
Last year, the city gave $750,000 to help establish the shelter.
Posted inNews & Views
Pasco County Sheriff spent over $32,000 trying to suppress videos of inmate abuse
There may be more costs for the county’s taxpayers if PCSO has to pay for court fees.
Posted inNews & Views
Department of Justice seeks input from victims of Tampa’s ‘crime free multi-housing’ program
The DOJ wants to talk to people who were displaced by the program, which was initiated by Tampa police.
Posted inNews & Views
‘Staff feels demoralized’: HART board members never saw a year-old peer review raising concerns over management
The HART board chair was ‘shocked’ that the document was kept from her after repeated requests to see it.
Posted inNews & Views
Pinellas County deputy who let former Tampa police chief out of traffic stop won’t be disciplined
A former sergeant told CNN that it’s normal for law enforcement officers to let each other go during traffic violations.
Posted inNews & Views
HART CEO narrowly avoids suspension after Tampa Mayor Jane Castor defends her
The board held a tied vote, which means that Le Grand will stay.
Posted inNews & Views
Tampa Police Chief Mary O’Connor resigns amid investigation over flashing badge to get out of traffic violation
She was caught using her badge to get out of a Nov. 12 traffic stop.
Posted inNews & Views
Tampa police chief put on leave after flashing badge to get out of traffic stop
Mayor Jane Castor also announced an investigation into the matter.
Posted inNews & Views
Body cam footage shows Tampa police chief using position to get out of traffic violation
“I’m the police chief from Tampa, I’m hoping that you’ll just let us go tonight.”
Posted inNews & Views
Tampa police chief and body camera provider at odds over mute function tracking
Chief Mary O’Connor said Axon’s body camera software doesn’t track the mute function, while the company says it can be tracked.
Posted inNews & Views
Tampa police chief memo says mute function on body worn cameras can’t be tracked
The mute function has caused controversy around the country in highly sensitive situations
Posted inNews & Views
HART board considers replacing CEO as investigation into ‘hostile work environment’ begins
Board members discussed removing CEO Adelee Le Grand today, and will consider the matter further in December.
Posted inNews & Views
Native American charged with misdemeanor after protesting Tampa’s Columbus statue
A local Indigenous rights group called Tampa a ‘place of hate’ and is organizing against the charge.
Posted inMusic
Former ‘All Night Jazz’ director Bob Seymour now hosts a show on WMNF Tampa 88.5-FM
His show comes after WUSF 89.7-FM took jazz off the air.
Posted inNews & Views
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor launches re-election campaign today
More than half of Castor’s election PAC is funded by development interests.
Posted inNews & Views
Man charged with hate crime after shouting ‘white power’ and firing gun outside Tampa bar
Dustin McCann called a security guard the “N-word” before leaving the club and firing his gun, witnesses say