NORTH PORT – The attorney for North Port resident Stephanie Gibson filed an amended complaint Tuesday in her public records lawsuit against the city of North Port and former City Commissioner Chris Hanks.
Gibson is still seeking satisfaction on the second count of her suit, which asks for Facebook and social media posts by Hanks on his commissioner’s page between Nov. 12, 2019 and Sept. 20, 2020.
In a Feb. 16 ruling, 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Andrea McHugh ruled against Gibson on the first and third counts of her suit, which asked the court to compel the city to release door access records for March 31 through April 2, 2018, and 42 recordings of the investigation into the conduct of former North Port City Manager Peter Lear.
Judge rules in favor of North Port in Sunshine Law suit
NORTH PORT – North Port resident Stephanie Gibson said Wednesday that she will file 42 separate public records requests to receive recordings of the investigation into the conduct of former North Port City Manager Peter Lear, after a circuit court judge declined to compel the city to release the information.
When Gibson initially filed her request for the 42 recordings, the city estimated that it would cost $1,347.50 for the city to go through the interviews and redact private information, be it Social Security numbers or health opinions that may violate HIPPA laws.
That person’s name was redacted by Conni Brunni, founder and treasurer of ABCD, aka Accountability equals Better Community Direction, who supplied a copy of the email to the Herald-Tribune.
“It is not me, and I will say that unequivocally, and it is not anyone associated with ABCD,” Brunni said of the person who filed the complaint.
Martha Perego, director of member services and ethics for the ICMA, confirmed the ruling Friday.
“That’s the highest action that our association can take for violation of the code,” said Perago, who added that the association would issue a formal statement next week.