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The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has ended its investigation into possible Sunshine Law violations by Manatee County commissioners in relation to the termination of former County Administrator Cheri Coryea.
According to the department’s investigative report, FDLE agents investigated the case between Jan. 7 and March 12. During this time agents interviewed every Manatee County commissioner.
Commissioners Vanessa Baugh, James Satcher, Kevin Van Ostenbridge and George Kruse came under investigation after attempts to terminate Coryea raised public scrutiny along with concerns about possible Sunshine Law violations and influence from special interests.
The FDLE also served subpoenas to the four commissioners on Feb. 18. However, on Feb. 19 FDLE agents, along with the 12th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, decided to rescind the subpoena “after learning that the cellular telephones used by the county commissioners were personally owned devices and not Mana