16-005245FE Frank J. Meeker vs. Mark Richter Status: Closed Recommended Order on Thursday, September 21, 2017.

Summary: Petitioner proved by clear and convincing evidence that Respondent's complaint was filed against Petitioner with a malicious intent to injure Petitioner's reputation by filing a complaint with false allegations which were material.

STATE OF FLORIDA

DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

DEBRA R. MEEKER,

Petitioner,

vs. Case No. 16 - 5245FE

MARK RICHTER,

Respondent.

_______________________________/

RECOMMENDED ORDER

A duly noticed final hearing was held in this ma tter on

May 16, 2017 , at the Division of Administrative Hearings in

Tallahassee, Florida, before Administrative Law Judge Suzanne

Van Wyk.

APPEARANCES

For Petitioner: Albert T. Gimbel, Esquire

Mark Herron, Esquire

Messer Caparello, P.A.

2618 Centennial Place

Post Office Box 15579

Tallahassee, F lorida 32317

Albert J. Hadeed, Esquire

Flagler County Board of

County Commissioners

1769 East Moody Boulevard, B uilding 2

Bunnell, F lorida 32110

For Res pondent: No Appearance

STATEMENT OF THE ISSUE S

Whether Petitioner, Frank Meeker, by and through

Debra Meeker as the substituted party, is entitled to an award

of costs and attorneysÓ fees pursuant to section 112.313(7),

Florida Statutes, and Florida Administrative Code Rule 34 -

5.0291; and, if so, in what amount.

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

On September 13, 2016, the Florida Commission on Ethics

(ÐCommissionÑ) referred five separate petitions seeking costs

and attorneysÓ fees pursuant to section 112.313(7) a nd rule

34 - 5.0291, requesting the Division of Administrative Hearings

(ÐDivisionÑ) assign an Administrative Law Judge to conduct a

formal administrative hearing and to prepare a recommended

order. Upon receipt of the referrals from the Commission, the

Di vision opened five separate cases which were referred to the

undersigned. After reviewing the records forwarded by the

Commission, the undersigned, sua sponte , entered an Order

consolidating the five cases. 1/

Counsel for Petitioners filed responses to th e Initial

Order on behalf of each Petitioner and suggested that the

hearing be held in Tallahassee. 2/ Following is a procedural

history of the consolidated cases.

Respondent Mark Richter, Jr. (ÐRichter Jr.Ñ), did not file

a response to the Initial Order. 3 / In their response to Case

Nos. 16 - 5244FE and 16 - 5246FE, counsel for Petitioners outlined

their unsuccessful attempts to contact Richter Jr. Counsel for

Petitioners indicated contact was made by telephone with Richter

Jr.Ós father, Mark Richter, Sr. (ÐR ichter Sr.Ñ). When asked to

provide contact information for his son, Richter Sr. advised

that he had none. When then asked to forward the materials to

his son, as this was an important matter, Richter Sr. reiterated

that he had no contact information on his son and abruptly ended

the phone call.

Respondent Kimberle Weeks (ÐWeeksÑ) filed a response to the

Initial Order in Case Nos. 16 - 5246FE and 16 - 5247 F E, in which she

requested that the hearing take place in Orlando, Florida, but

otherwise indicated that she would be Ðunavailable for any dates

and times until a pending legal matter is resolved or until

authorized by her legal counsel[.]Ñ

Respondent Dennis McDonald (ÐMcDonaldÑ) filed a response to

the Initial Order in Case No. 16 - 5248FE, in which he suggest ed

the hearing be held in Central Florida and that he would be

available for hearing on various dates, including December 1,

2016 through December 19, 2016.

Following a telephonic status conference on October 5,

2016, at which counsel for Petitioners and M cDonald participated

and discussed scheduling issues, the undersigned entered a

Notice of Hearing on October 6, 2016, which set the final

hearing for December 12 through 16, 2016, in Tallahassee. 4/

On October 27, 2016, Petitioners served initial discovery

requests on Respondents. On December 2, 2016, Petitioners filed

a motion to continue the hearing because Respondents failed to

respond to PetitionersÓ discovery. Counsel for Petitioners

indicated that he had been unable to contact Richter Jr., Weeks,

or McDonald to determine the status of their responses to the

discovery. By Order entered December 7, 2016, after finding

good cause existed to continue the hearing, the undersigned

cancelled the hearing scheduled for Decem ber 12 through 16,

2016, and re sche duled the final hearing for March 6 through 9,

2017.

On December 22, 2016, counsel for Petitioners filed a

motion to compel responses to the unanswered interrogatories and

requests to produce which were propounded on October 27, 2016.

On January 6, 2017, the undersigned scheduled a telephonic

hearing on PetitionersÓ motion to compel for January 20, 2017.

Counsel for Petitioners and Respondents Weeks and McDonald

participated in the telephonic hearing during which the

undersigned informed the participating Respondents of the

consequences and implications of failure to respond to

PetitionersÓ discovery requests. By Order dated January 20,

2017, the undersigned granted PetitionersÓ motion to compel and

ordered Respondents to serve answers to PetitionersÓ Fir st Set

of Interrogatories, and to produce documents in response to

PetitionersÓ First Request for Production of Documents on or

before January 30, 2017. 5 /

Petitioners filed a second motion for continuance on

February 8, 2017. The motion was based on the f ailure of

Richter Jr. and Weeks to provide responses to PetitionersÓ

pending discovery, despite the prior Order granting the motion

to compel, and on the failure of McDonald to provide sufficient

responses to the pending discovery. In that motion, Petitio ners

noted that they had served requests for admissions on each of

the Respondents on February 2, 2017, and that they intended to

depose each of the Respondents before the final hearing. 6 /

By Order entered February 16, 2017, the undersigned

cancelled the h earing scheduled for March 6 through 9, 2017, and

ordered each party to advise, in writing, no later than March 3,

2017, of all dates on which they were available for rescheduling

the final hearing in April 2017. Richter Jr. filed no response.

Weeks file d a response stating that because of other obligations

for ÐApril 2017 through May 27, 2017, [she] will not be

available until May 28 th through May 31 st 2017.Ñ McDonald

indicated that he was available for several days in both April

and May of 2017. Petit ioners likewise indicated they were

available for several days in both April and May of 2017.

By Order dated March 23, 2017, the undersigned rescheduled

the final hearing for May 15 through 19, 2017, noting:

On March 2, 2017, Respondent Weeks filed a

resp onse indicating her unavailability the

entire month of April 2017, and through

May 27, 2017. Respondent WeeksÓ notice of

unavailability for almost two months is

unacceptable. On March 3 and March 6, 2017,

Petitioner and Respondent McDonald,

respectively, filed notices of available

dates in April and May 2017. Only one set

of dates, April 4 through 7, 2017, were

common to both Petitioners and Respondent

McDonald.

The undersigned has made numerous attempts

to reach the parties to schedule a telephone

conf erence to coordinate a mutually -

agreeable date to reschedule the hearing in

this matter. Telephone messages to

Respondent McDonald have not been returned,

and the telephone number provided by

Respondent Weeks (which was confirmed by her

on a previous tele phone conference), rings

incessantly but remains unanswered. No

voice mail or other message service is

provided.

With much effort on behalf of Division

staff, the undersigned has identified dates

on which the Petitioners are available and

which overlap w ith dates identified as

available for Respondent McDonald.

On February 14, 2017, counsel for Petitioners informed the

undersigned of the death of Petitioner Frank Meeker and moved

to substitute his wife, Debra Meeker, as surviving spouse and

sole benefic iary, in these proceedings. By Order entered

February 28, 2017, the undersigned granted the motion and

ordered that the style of this cause be amended to substitute

Debra R. Meeker for Frank J. Meeker, deceased.

On March 2, 2017, McDonald filed a motion t o dismiss,

asserting that he was not afforded due process by the action of

the Commission in its referral of the matter to the Division.

By Orders entered March 7 , 2017, and March 8, 2017 ( Ð Amended

Order Ñ ), the undersigned denied McDonaldÓs motion to dismi ss.

On March 27, 2017, Petitioners filed a motion to permit,

post hoc, PetitionersÓ filing of Requests for Admission on

February 2, 2017, which exceeded the number permitted by the

Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, and to deem all unanswered

Request for Ad missions as having been admitted. In support of

the motion, Petitioners stated that Requests for Admissions

were served by U.S. Mail to: (1) mailing addresses that were

confirmed on the record by Respondents Weeks and McDonald

during prior proceedings he ld in this matter; (2) addresses

shown and sworn to as true and correct by each of the

Respondents on the original complaint filed with the Commission

in this matter; and (3) via e - mail addresses confirmed by

Respondents Weeks and McDonald during prior hea rings in this

matter. By Order dated April 11, 2017, the undersigned granted

the motion, noting:

In the Motion, Petitioners request the

undersigned to deem admitted the statements

in PetitionersÓ Request for Admissions

served Respondents on February 2, 2 017

(Request), to which no response has been

filed.

Pursuant to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure

1.370(a), Respondents were under an

obligation to serve written responses or

objections to the Request within 30 days of

service, or by March 6, 2017. By ope ration

of the rule, RespondentsÓ failure to timely

respond to the Request renders the

statements admitted. The undersigned is

mindful that Respondents are unrepresented

and the penalty is harsh. However, the

undersigned has previously instructed

Responde nts Weeks and McDonald of the duty

to respond to discovery and the penalties

for failure to comply. [endnote omitted]

In the Motion, Petitioners also request the

undersigned approved [sic], post hoc,

Request for Admissions that exceed the

number set for th in the rule. The rule

authorizes the undersigned to allow a party

to exceed the limit on number of requests

Ðon motion and notice and for good cause.Ñ

Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.370(a). Petitioners

served the motion on March 27, 2017, and

Respondents have had notice of same since

that date, but not filed any objection.

Good cause for exceeding the limit has been

established by RespondentsÓ failure to

cooperate in discovery in this matter, which

has resulted in significant delays and

hampered PetitionersÓ effor ts to establish

their case by other means.

On May 2, 2017, Petitioners filed a motion in limine or,

alternatively, a motion for sanctions restricting Respondents

from introducing testimony and evidence at trial not previously

disclosed to Petitioners. In support of the motion,

Petitioners set forth (1) the failure of Respondents to respond

to prior discovery requests; (2) the failure of Respondents to

respond to the requests for admissions; and (3) the refusal of

Respondents and others associated with the m to participate in

properly noticed depositions. 7 / By Order dated May 10, 2017,

the undersigned granted the motion and ordered that:

Respondents are prohibited from presenting

any testimony or documentary evidence at the

final hearing which would have be en

disclosed, produced, discussed, or otherwise

revealed in response to PetitionersÓ

discovery requests, or which would

contradict any of the Requests for Admission

which have been deemed admitted by the

undersignedÓs Order dated April 11, 2017.

On May 9, 2017, Weeks filed a motion to change venue of

the final hearing from Tallahassee (Leon County) to Bunnell

(Flagler County). By Order dated May 10, 2017, the undersigned

denied Weeks motion to change venue.

On May 11, 2017, McDonald filed a motion to dism iss the

petition against him in Case No. 16 - 5248FE on the basis that

the issues regarding costs and attorneysÓ fees in this case

have already been decided by the First District Court of Appeal

in Hadeed et al. v. Commission on Ethics , 208 So . 3d 782 (Fla.

1st DCA 2016 ). By Order dated May 11, 2017, the undersigned

denied McDonaldÓs motion to dismiss.

On May 11, 2017, Weeks filed a motion to dismiss the

petitions filed against her asserting Ðqualified immunity.Ñ 8 /

By Order entered May 16, 2017, the undersi gned denied WeeksÓ

motion to dismiss based on Ðqualified immunity.Ñ

On Friday, May 12, 2017, Weeks filed a motion to appear

telephonically at the hearing scheduled to commence the

following Monday, May 15, 2017. By Order dated May 15, 2017,

the undersigne d denied Weeks motion to appear telephonically.

The final hearing commenced as scheduled. None of the

Respondents appeared at the hearing. Petitioners presented the

testimony of the following witnesses: Debra Meeker, the widow

of former Flagler County C ommissioner Frank Meeker and

Petitioner in Case No. 16 - 5245FE; Albert J. Hadeed, Flagler

County Attorney and Petitioner in Case No. 16 - 5247FE; Charles

Ericksen, Jr., Flagler County Commissioner and Petitioner in

Case No. 16 - 5246FE; Nate McLaughlin, Flagle r County

Commissioner and Petitioner in Case No. 16 - 5244FE; and George

Hanns, former Flagler County Commissioner and Petitioner in

Case No. 16 - 5248FE. With respect to costs and attorneysÓ fees,

Petitioners presented the testimony of Mr. Hadeed; Mark Herro n,

counsel for Petitioners; and Michael P. Donaldson as an expert

witness on attorneysÓ fees. PetitionersÓ Exhibits P - 1

through P - 97 were admitted into evidence.

After the conclusion of the formal hearing, Petitioners

filed a motion to re - open the record to permit submission of

two additional exhibits regarding the underlying facts relative

to McDonaldÓs motion to dismiss the petition for costs and

attorneysÓ fees in Case No. 16 - 5248FE. No objection or other

response was filed by McDonald. By Order dated June 1, 2017,

the undersigned granted the motion to re - open the record and

PetitionersÓ Exhibits P - 98 and P - 99 were admitted.

On July 31, 2017, Petitioner moved to introduce

supplemental exhibits on costs and attorney s Ó fees incurred in

pursuing this matt er after conclusion of the final hearing.

No objection or other response was filed by any of the

Respondents. The motions were granted and PetitionerÓs

Exhibits P - 100B, P - 101, and P - 102 were admitted in evidence.

Counsel for Petitioners asked to submit a proposed

recommended order within 30 days of the transcript being filed

with the Division. A two - volume Transcript was filed with the

Division on June 30, 2017. Petitioner timely filed a Proposed

Recommended Order, which has been taken into considerati on in

preparing this Recommended Order.

Counsel for Petitioners filed, with the concurrence of the

Commission, a motion on July 12, 2017, requesting that separate

proposed recommended orders be filed so that separate

recommended orders could be issued. B y Order dated July 13,

2017, the undersigned severed these cases. Accordingly,

separate Recommended Orders have been rendered in each case.

FINDING S OF FACT

Ethics Complaint 14 - 231

1. On December 4, 2014, the Commission received a

complaint against Fran k Meeker (ÐMeekerÑ) , filed by

Richter Jr. , which alleged that Meeker, as member of the

Flagler County Commission (ÐCounty CommissionÑ), violated

FloridaÓs election laws, the Government - in - the - Sunshine Law

(ÐSunshine LawÑ), and FloridaÓs Code of Ethics for Public

Officers and Employees (ÐEthics CodeÑ).

2. Specific allegations in the complaint included that:

Current County Commission Chairman Frank

Meeker and other county commissioners

(including canvassing Board member County

Commissioner George Hanns and a lternate

canvassing board member County Commissioner

Charles Ericksen) were involved in

discussion outside a scheduled canvassing

board meeting but during an advertised board

of county commissioner [sic] meeting, which

public notice was not given by the

ca nvassing board members, the Supervisor of

Elections or her staff. The discussion

pertained to canvassing board activity.

Action, by consensus vote, was taken by the

board of county commissioners which

pertained to the canvassing board selecting

a canvassi ng board attorney, and to request

the state oversee the 2014 general election;

all of which is believed to be a Sunshine

Law violation.

3. The complaint also alleged that:

It is believed others such as the county

administrator, other county commissione rs

and the county attorney were being a conduit

to canvassing board members, and canvassing

Board member George Hanns and alternate

canvassing board member County Commissioner

Charles Ericksen Jr. are also believed to

have violated the sunshine law by

cont ributing to the discussions, which was

believed to have been done to advance [sic]

manipulation to the canvassing board members

who were present so they could carry out a

planned agenda.

4. The complaint further alleged that:

Discussions regarding th e canvassing board

took place at least twice at board of county

commissioner meetings following the

September 12, 2014 special canvassing board

meeting and again on October 20, 2014. It

is believed that both times canvassing board

member [sic] and others have violated the

Sunshine Law, and it is believed that those

involved that are not canvassing board

members or alternates were being a conduit

to certain canvassing board members who were

present.

5. The complaint was reviewed by the Executive Director

of the Commission who found the complaint to be legally

sufficient to warrant an investigation:

The complaint alleges that [Meeker] and

other members of the Board [of County

Commissioners] or members of the canvassing

board were involved in discussions whi ch may

not have been in compliance with the

Sunshine Law, in order to carry out a

planned agenda, that discussions occurred

regarding placement of the County Attorney

as attorney for the canvassing board (a

placement objected to by the Supervisor of

Electi ons), and that the [Meeker] was

involved in other or related conduct,

apparently for the benefit of particular

candidates or others. This indicates

possible violation of section 112.313(6),

Florida Statutes.

6. As a result, the complaint was determined to be legally

sufficient and the investigative staff of the Commission was

directed to Ðconduct a preliminary investigation of this

complaint for a probable cause determination of whether [Meeker]

has violated section 112.313(6) as set forth above.Ñ

The Co mmissionÓs Investigation

7. The complaint was investigated by Commission

Investigator Kavis Wade. On February 19, 2016, the

Commission issued its Report of Investigation, which found, as

follows:

a. Florida law provides that a county canvassing boar d

shall be comprised of the Supervisor of Elections, a County

Court Judge, and the Chair of the County Commission.

Additionally, an alternate member must be appointed by the Chair

of the County Commission. The Flagler County Canvassing Board

(ÐCanvassing BoardÑ) for the 201 4 Election was made up of

Judge Melissa Moore - Stens, County Commission Chairman George

Hanns (Commissioner Hanns), and then - Supervisor of Elections

Weeks. Initially, the alternate member of the Canvassing Board

was County Commission me mber Charles Ericksen, Jr.

b. Meeker was a member of the County Commission; he was

not a member of the Canvassing Board during the 2014 election

cycle.

c. Minutes from the September 15, 2014 County Commission

meeting indicate that during the ÐCommission Reports/CommentsÑ

portion of the meeting , there was a discussion regarding who had

the authority to appoint the Canvassing Board attorney, but no

official action was taken at that time.

d. Minutes from the October 20, 2014 County Commission

meeting indica te that there was a discussion regarding

Commissioner EricksenÓs contribution to another candidate with

opposition in the election ( Commissioner Meeker) and that

Commissioner Ericksen resigned as an alternate member of the

Canvassing Board at that time. T he Commission then voted to

appoint Commissioner Barbara Revels as the alternate Canvassing

Board member.

e. All discussions by the County Commission regarding the

Canvassing Board took place during the ÐCommissioner

Reports/CommentsÑ or ÐCommission Actio nÑ portion of duly noticed

County Commission meetings.

f. The only members of the Canvassing Board present at the

October 20 , 2014 County Commission meeting were Hanns and

alternate member Commissioner Ericksen.

g. When asked about his allegation that Meeker was

involved in other or related conduct, apparently for the benefit

of particular candidates or others, Richter Jr. indicated that

he had no information regarding that allegation.

Commission on Ethics AdvocateÓs Recommendation

8. On March 7, 201 6, Commission Advocate Elizabeth L.

Miller recommended that there was Ðno probable causeÑ to believe

that Meeker violated section 112.313(6) by participating in

discussions which may have been in violation of the Sunshine

Law, or by being involved in other or related conduct for the

benefit of himself, particular candidates, or others.

9. On April 20, 2016, the Commission issued its Public

Report dismissing Richter Jr.Ós complaint for lack of probable

cause.

Richter Jr.Ós Knowledge of the Falsity of His S worn Allegations

10. Richter Jr. filed a sworn complaint against Meeker.

When signing the complaint, Richter Jr. executed an oath that

Ðthe facts set forth in the complaint were true and

correct . . . .Ñ

11. When he filed his co mplaint against Meeker ,

Richter Jr. had access to the video of the County Commission

meeting of September 15, 2014 , posted on the CountyÓs website

and the published minutes of that meeting, also available online

or by request.

12. Video of the 2014 meetings of the County Commi ssion

are archived for public viewing on the County website. Minutes

of all County Commission meetings are public record available to

the public on the Clerk of CourtÓs website and upon request.

13. Neither the posted video nor the minutes of the

Septemb er 15, 2014 County Commission meeting indicate that any

discussion regarding the selection of the Canvassing BoardÓs

attorney occurred in violation of the Sunshine Law.

14. Neither the posted video nor the minutes of the

September 15, 2014 County Commissi on meeting indicate that any

action was taken by consensus vote or by any other vote

regarding who had the authority to appoint the attorney for the

Canvassing Board.

15. No vote was taken by the County Commission to

designate the County Attorney as the a ttorney for the Canvassing

Board.

16. To the contrary, the County Commission determined that

it was a matter for the Canvassing Board to select its own

attorney.

17. When asked by the Commission investigator whether

Meeker was involved in other or relate d conduct, for the benefit

of particular candidates or others, Richter Jr. indicated he had

no information regarding that allegation.

18. The allegations in the Richter Jr.Ós complaint against

Meeker, which the Commission found material to investigate, we re

known by Richter Jr. to be false, or filed by Richter Jr. with

reckless disregard for whether they were true or false.

Malicious Intent to Injure MeekerÓs Reputation

19. Whether the claims against public officials were

Ðmotivated by the desire to [im pugn character and injure

reputation],Ñ is a question of fact. Brown v. State, CommÓn on

Ethics , 969 So. 2d 553, 555 (Fla. 1st DCA 2007).

20. The evidence adduced at the hearing established that

Richter Jr. worked in concert with other individuals to

mal iciously injure the reputation of Meeker by filing

complaints containing false allegations material to the Code of

Ethics with the Commission and other agencies.

21. This group, formed in 2009 or 2010, was known

formally as the Ronald Reagan Republican A ssociation,

informally as the ÐTriple Rs.Ñ Members of the group included

McDonald, Richter Sr., John Ruffalo, Carole Ruffalo, Ray

Stephens, William McGuire, Bob Hamby, and Dan Bozza.

22. The Triple Rs were trying to influence the outcome of

elections in Flagler County. They did this by fielding

candidates against incumbent members of the County Commission.

In 2014, Richter Sr. ran against , and lost to , Commissioner

McLaughlin. Dennis McDonald ran against and lost to Meeker in

2012 and 2014. The Tripl e Rs also tried to influence the

results of the elections by filing complaints with multiple

agencies against various elected and appointed Flagler County

officials.

23. Weeks was not a member of the Triple Rs; however,

Dennis McDonald, the de facto spoke sperson of the Triple Rs,

frequently visited WeeksÓ office, particularly in the period

between the 2014 primary and general election. WeeksÓ

interaction with McDonald and other Triple Rs during this

timeframe was so pervasive that WeeksÓ husband expressed

concern to McLaughlin about McDonaldÓs influence over Weeks.

24. This group filed 25 complaints against Flagler County

officials, individually and collectively, including complaints

against Meeker, all members of the 2014 County Commission,

County Attorn ey Hadeed, and the County Administrator. The

complaints were filed with the Commission on Ethics, the

Florida Elections Commission, The Florida Bar, and the State

Attorney for the Seventh Judicial Circuit. Certain members of

the Triple Rs formed a limite d liability company -- the ÐFlagler

Palm Coast WatchdogsÑ -- and also filed suit against the County

Commission to block renovation of the old Flagler Hospital into

the SheriffÓs Operation Center, alleging violations of the

Ethics Code .

25. At least 12 of the complaints filed by the group

specifically alleged or referenced the false allegations which

are at issue in this case: that members of the County

Commission discussed Canvassing Board matters in violation of

the Sunshine Law with the goal of manipulating elections,

improperly selecting the Canvassing Board attorney, and

advancing a hidden agenda.

26. In addition to alleging that Meeker violated

FloridaÓs ethics laws and the Sunshine Law, the complaint filed

with the Commission alleged that Meeker violate d FloridaÓs

elections laws, specifically c hapter 106, Florida Statutes (the

ÐCampaign Finance L awÑ) , in several respects.

27. Richter Jr. also filed a complaint against Meeker

with the Florida Elections Commission. In that complaint, he

included allegat ions that Meeker discussed C anvassing B oard

matters in violation of the Sunshine Law with the goal of

manipulating elections, selecting the C anvassing B oard

attorney, and advancing a hidden agenda.

28. The allegations that Meeker discussed Canvassing Boar d

matters in violation of the Sunshine Law with the goal of

manipulating elections, selecting the Canvassing Board attorney,

and advancing a hidden agenda were crucial to the ethics

complaint which Richter Jr. filed against Meeker. These

allegations forme d the basis for the CommissionÓs finding that

the complaint was legally sufficient in order that it be

investigated.

29. Likewise, inclusion of the allegations that Meeker

violated FloridaÓs elections laws was an important part of

Richter Jr.Ós complaint against Meeker.

30. Had Meeker been found to have violated Florida ethics

or elections law, it would have damaged his reputation in the

community.

31. Initially, Meeker was the main target of the

Triple Rs. John Ruffalo and McDonald went to MeekerÓs emp loyer

on at least two occasions in an unsuccessful effort to get him

fired. They alleged that Meeker was performing duties as a

Palm Coast City Councilman, an office he held before being

elected to the County Commission, while being paid by the

St. Johns River Water Management District (the ÐDistrictÑ).

The charges were false: MeekerÓs work schedule with the

District permitted him to perform City duties without conflict

with his work schedule.

32. The totality of these findings, including the number

of complaints, the collaboration among the various

complainants, and the inclusion of similarly false allegations

in complaints filed by different complainants with different

agencies, lead to no reasonable conclusion other than Ethics

Complaint 14 - 231 was fi led with a Ðmalicious intentÑ to injure

the reputation of Meeker and create political gain for the

Triple Rs and Weeks.

33. The totality of these findings constitutes clear and

convincing evidence that Richter Jr.Ós complaint was filed with

knowledge th at, or with a conscious intent to ignore whether,

it contained one or more false allegations of fact material to

a violation of the Ethics Code.

34. The totality of these findings constitutes clear and

convincing evidence that Richter Jr. showed Ðreckless

disregardÑ for whether his sworn complaint contained false

allegations of fact material to a violation of the Ethics Code.

35. The totality of these findings constitutes clear and

convincing evidence that the true motivation behind the

underlying complai nt was the political damage the complaint

would cause Meeker, with the corresponding benefit to the

Triple Rs and Weeks, rather than any effort to expose any

wrongdoing by Meeker.

Attorney s Ó Fees and Costs

36. Upon receipt and review of the complaints fil ed

against Meeker and others in late 2014, Flagler County informed

its liability insurance carrier and requested that counsel

experienced in ethics and elections law be retained to defend

against those complaints. At the specific request of the

County, Ma rk Herron of the Messer Caparello law firm was

retained to defend these complaints. Mr. Herron is an

experienced lawyer whose practice focuses almost exclusively on

ethics and elections related matters.

37. Mr. Herron was retained by Flagler County on th e

understanding that the Messer Caparello firm would be

compensated by the CountyÓs liability insurance carrier at the

rate of $180 per hour and that the County would make up the

difference between the $180 per hour that the insurance carrier

was willing t o pay and the reasonable hourly rate.

38. The rate of $180 per hour paid by the CountyÓs

liability insurance carrier to the Messer Caparello firm is an

unreasonably low hourly rate for an experienced practitioner in

ethics and election matters. Expert te stimony adduced at the

hearing indicated that a reasonable hourly rate would range

from $250 to $450 per hour. Accordingly, a reasonable hourly

rate to compensate the Messer Caparello firm in this proceeding

is $350 per hour.

39. The total hours spent on this case by Messer

Caparello attorneys is reasonable. The billable hourly records

of the Messer Caparello law firm through May 14, 2017, indicate

that a total of 73.34 hours were spent in defending the

underlying complaint filed with the Commission and in seeking

costs and fees in this proceeding.

40. The record remained open for submission of Messer

Caparello costs and attorneysÓ fees records after May 14, 2017,

through the date of submission of the Proposed Recommended

Order. These additional records of the Messer Caparello law

firm indicate that a total of 54.88 hours were spent in seeking

costs and fees for that defense at the formal hearing in this

cause and in preparation and submission of the Proposed

Recommended Order.

41. Costs of $1,814.12 in curred by the Messer Caparello

law firm through May 14, 2017, are reasonable. Costs of

$957.44 incurred by the Messer Caparello law firm after May 14,

2017, are reasonable.

42. The total hours spent on this case by the Flagler

County AttorneyÓs Office is reasonable. Time records of the

Flagler County AttorneyÓs Office through May 15, 2017, indicate

that a total of 16.50 hours of attorney time were spent

assisting in the defense of the underlying complaint filed with

the Commission and in seeking costs an d fees in this

proceeding. Time records of the Flagler County AttorneyÓs

Office through May 15, 2017, indicate that a total of

21.50 hours of paralegal time were spent assisting in the

defense of the underlying complaint filed with the Commission

and in s eeking costs and fees in this proceeding.

43. The record remained open for submission of costs and

attorneysÓ fees records after May 15, 2017, through the date of

submission of the Proposed Recommended Order. These additional

records of the Flagler Count y AttorneyÓs Office indicate that a

total of 6.60 hours of attorney time, and 2.10 hours of

paralegal time, were spent in seeking costs and fees for that

defense at the formal hearing in this cause and in preparation

and submission of the Proposed Recommen ded Order.

44. Costs of $168.93 incurred by the Flagler County

AttorneyÓs Office through May 15, 2017, are reasonable. Costs

of $292.99 incurred by the Flagler County AttorneyÓs Office

after May 15, 2017, are reasonable.

45. A reasonable hourly rate to compensate the Flagler

County AttorneyÓs Office in this proceeding for attorney time

is $325 per hour.

46. A reasonable hourly rate for the time of the

paralegal in the Flagler County AttorneyÓs Office in connection

with this matter is $150 per hour.

47. Based on the findings herein, Meeker established that

he incurred the following expenses: (i) reasonable costs in the

amount of $2,771.56 and reasonable attorneysÓ fees in the amount

of $44,877.00 for the services of the Messer Caparello law firm

in def ending against the underlying complaint filed with the

Commission and in seeking costs and fees in this proceeding; and

(ii) reasonable costs in the amount of $461.92 and reasonable

attorneysÓ fees in the amount of $11,509.42 for the services of

the Flagle r County AttorneyÓs Office in defending against the

underlying complaint filed with the Commission and in seeking

costs and fees in this proceeding.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

48. The Division of Administrative Hearings has

jurisdiction over the parties to and t he subject matter of this

proceeding. See §§ 120.569 and 120.57(1), Fla. Stat.

49. Section 112.313(7) provides for an award of

attorneyÓs fees and costs in the following circumstances:

In any case in which the commission

determines that a person has file d a

complaint against a public officer or

employee with a malicious intent to injure

the reputation of such officer or employee

by filing the complaint with knowledge that

the complaint contains one or more false

allegations or with reckless disregard for

whether the complaint contains false

allegations of fact material to a violation

of this part, the complainant shall be

liable for costs plus reasonable attorney

fees incurred in the defense of the person

complained against, including the costs and

reasona ble attorney fees incurred in proving

entitlement to and the amount of costs and

fees. If the complainant fails to pay such

costs and fees voluntarily within 30 days

following such finding by the commission,

the commission shall forward such

information t o the Department of Legal

Affairs, which shall bring a civil action in

a court of competent jurisdiction to recover

the amount of such costs and fees awarded by

the commission.

50. Rule 34 - 5.0291(3) provides for the Commission to

review a petition seeki ng costs and attorneysÓ fees and:

If the Commission determines that the facts

and grounds are sufficient, the Chair after

considering the CommissionÓs workload, shall

direct that the hearing of the petition be

held before the Division of Administrative

Hea rings, the full Commission, or a single

Commission member serving as hearing

officer. Commission hearing officers shall

be appointed by the Chair. The hearing

shall be a formal proceeding under Chapter

120, F.S., and the Uniform Rules of the

Administrati on Commission, Chapter 28 - 106,

F.A.C. All discovery and hearing procedures

shall be governed by the applicable

provisions of Chapter 120, F.S. and Chapter

28 - 106, F.A.C. The parties to the hearing

shall be the petitioner (i.e., the public

officer or empl oyee who was the respondent

in the complaint proceeding) and the

complainant(s), who may be represented by

legal counsel .

51. Further, rule 34 - 5.0291(1) provides:

If the Commission determines that a person

has filed a complaint against a public

officer or employee with a malicious intent

to injure the reputation of such officer or

employee by filing the complaint with

knowledge that the complaint contains one or

more false allegations or with reckless

disregard for whether the complaint contains

false al legations of fact material to a

violation of the Code of Ethics, the

complainant shall be liable for costs plus

reasonable attorneyÓs fees incurred in the

defense of the person complained against,

including the costs and reasonable

attorneyÓs fees incurred in proving

entitlement to and the amount of costs and

fees.

52. Meeker has the burden of proving the grounds for an

award of costs and attorneysÓ fees pursuant to section

112.317(7). See Fla. Admin. Code R. 34 - 5.0291(4). As the party

seeking entitleme nt, Meeker has the burden to prove Ðby clear

and convincing evidenceÑ that the award of costs and attorneysÓ

fees is appropriate pursuant to section 112.317(7) and r ule 34 -

5.0291(1). See DepÓt of Banking & Fin. v. Osborne Stern & Co. ,

670 So. 2d 932, 934 (Fla. 1996); DepÓt of Transp. v. J.W.C. Co. ,

396 So. 2d 778, 787 (Fla. 1st DCA 1981). Meeker has proven Ðby

clear and convincing evidenceÑ that the award of costs and

attorneysÓ fees is appropriate in this case.

53. In Brown v. Florida Commission on Ethi cs , 969 So. 2d

553, 560 (Fla. 1st DCA 2007), the court established the

following elements of a claim by a public official for costs and

attorneysÓ fees: (a) the complaint was made with a malicious

intent to injure the officialÓs reputation; (b) the person

filing the complaint knew that the statements about the official

were false or made the statements about the official with

reckless disregard for the truth; and (c) the statements were

material to a violation of the Ethics Code.

54. Section 112.317(7) do es not require a public official,

who was falsely accused of ethics violations in complaints

submitted to the Florida Commission on Ethics, to prove Ðactual

maliceÑ when attempting to prove malicious intent to injure the

officialÓs reputation. Brown , 969 So. 2d at 554. By employing

a textual analysis of the statute, the Court in Brown found that

section 112.317(7) is satisfied by the Ðordinary sense of

malice,Ñ i.e. feelings of ill will. Id. at 557.

55. ÐS uch proof may be established indirectly, i.e., Òby

proving a series of acts which, in their context or in light of

the totality of surrounding circumstances, are inconsistent with

the premise of a reasonable man pursuing a lawful objective, but

rather indicate a plan or course of conduct motivated by spite,

ill - will, or other bad motive.ÓÑ Mc Curdy v. Collins , 508 So. 2d

380, 382 (Fla. 1st DCA 1987) ( quoting S . Bell Tel . & Tel . Co. v.

Roper , 482 So. 2d 538, 539 (Fla. 3d DCA 1986)).

56. In this case, the evidence, by a clear and convincing

mar gin, i ndicates that Richter Jr. maliciously filed Ethics

Complaint 14 - 231 against Meeker in order to damage MeekerÓs

reputation and to advance the political aims of the Triple Rs

and Weeks. In addition, the evidence showed that, despite

stating under oath that Ðthe facts set forth in the complaint

were true and correct,Ñ Richter Jr. either knew the matters

alleged in the complaint were false, or he was consciously

indifferent to the truth or falsity of his allegations , when he

failed to review the public records which would have indicated

that his allegations were false. Finally, the false statements

in his complaint were material to violations of the Ethics Code,

in that they formed the basis for the CommissionÓs investigation

of the complaint.

57. Meeker i s entitled to a total award of $47,971.34 in

costs and attorneysÓ fees in connection with legal services

provided by Messer Caparello in this matter.

58. Meeker is entitled to a total award of $11,971.34 in

costs and attorneysÓ fees in connection with leg al services

provided by the Flagler County Attorney Ó s Office in this matter.

RECOMMENDATION

Based on the forgoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of

Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Commission enter a final order

granting Frank MeekerÓs, through Debra Mee ker, as the

substituted party, Petition for Costs and AttorneysÓ Fees

relating to Complaint 14 - 231 in the total amount of $59,942.68.

DONE AND ENTERED this 2 1st day of September , 2017 , in

Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida.

S

SUZANNE VAN WYK

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 2 1st day of September , 2017 .

ENDNOTE S

1/ The cases referred and consolidated by the undersigned were

Nate McLaughlin v. Mark Richter , DOAH Case No. 16 - 5244FE;

Frank J. Meeker v. Mark Richter , DOAH Case No. 16 - 5245FE; C harles

Ericksen, Jr. v. Kimberle Weeks , DOAH Case No. 16 - 5246FE;

Albert J. Hadeed v. Kimberle Weeks , DOAH Case No. 16 - 5247FE; and

George Hanns v. Dennis McDonald , Case No. 16 - 5248FE.

2/ Although, for reasons set forth herein, the consolidated

cases have been severed and, therefore, subject to separate

r ecommended o rders, each applicable to a particular Petitioner,

the facts applicable to each are substantially similar. Despite

this Order applying only to a single Petitioner, the plural term

ÐPetitioners Ñ will be used, for the purposes of this and the

other consolidated cases, unless the context indicates otherwise.

3/ The record reflects that Richter Jr. has refused to

participate in this case, has avoided service, and has ignored

all efforts by both t he Division and Petitioners to contact him.

4 / On December 6, 2016, Weeks filed a letter with the

undersigned stating that she was unable to attend the October 5

status conference because she did not receive notice of the

status conference until after it occurred.

5/ After the ruling on the motion to compel, and on the day her

discovery responses were due, Weeks, on January 30, 2017, moved

to dismiss the motion to compel against her based on what

appeared to be a claim of Ðqualified immunity.Ñ

6/ On F ebruary 17, 2017, Weeks filed a motion to strike

PetitionersÓ Second Motion for Continuance, essentially alleging

that it was filed for purposes of delay. By Order dated

February 28, 2017, the undersigned denied WeeksÓ motion to

strike PetitionersÓ Second Motion for Continuance. The record

revealed that requests for continuances were necessitated by the

failure of Respondents to respond to discovery.

7/ On April 11, 2017, pursuant to properly served Notices of

Depositions, Petitioners attempted to depo se Richter Jr.,

Weeks, and McDonald. Richter Jr. did not appear. Weeks did

not answer any questions and asserted her right against self -

incrimination because of her pending criminal matter. McDonald

refused to answer on the ground that his testimony mig ht impact

WeeksÓ pending criminal proceeding. On April 18, 2017,

Petitioners attempted to depose John Ruffalo, who was disclosed

as a potential witness by Respondent McDonald. Mr. Ruffalo

made a brief appearance and announced that he was also going to

re fuse to answer any questions.

8/ On January 30, 2017, Weeks filed a motion to dismiss the

petitions filed against her asserting Ðqualified immunity.Ñ At

that same time, as noted herein, she moved to dismiss the motion

to compel against her based on wha t appears to be a claim of

Ðqualified immunity.Ñ

COPIES FURNISHED:

Millie Wells Fulford, Agency Clerk

Florida Commission on Ethics

Post Office Drawer 15709

Tallahassee, Florida 32317 - 5709

(eServed)

Albert J. Hadeed, Esquire

Flagler County Board of

County Commissioners

1769 East Moody Boulevard, Building 2

Bunnell, Florida 32110

(eServed)

Mark Herron, Esquire

Messer, Caparello, P.A.

2618 Centennial Place

Post Office Box 15579

Tallahassee, Florida 32317

(eServed)

Mark Richter

Post Office Box 1187

Bunnell, Florida 32110

Albert T. Gimbel, Esquire

Messer Caparello, P.A.

2618 Centennial Place

Post Office Box 15579

Tallahassee, Florida 323 17

(eServed)

Virlindia Doss, Executive Director

Florida Commission on Ethics

Post Office Drawer 15709

Tallah assee, Florida 32317 - 5709

(eServed)

C. Christopher Anderson, III, General Counsel

Florida Commission on Ethics

Post Office Drawer 15709

Tallahassee, Florida 32317 - 5709

(eServed)

Advocates for the Commission

Office of the Attorney General

The Capitol, P laza Level 01

Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 1050

NOTICE OF RIGHT TO SUBMIT EXCEPTIONS

All parties have the right to submit written exceptions within

15 days from the date of this Recommended Order. Any exceptions

to this Recommended Order should be filed with the agency that

will issue the Final Order in this case.