IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
IN AND FOR LEON, FLORIDA
MATTHEW WEIDNER,
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
CITIZENS FOR SUNSHINE, INC., and
THE FLORIDA SOCIETY OF
NEWSPAPER EDITORS, INC.,
Plaintiffs,
v.
CASE NO.:
RICK SCOTT, and THE FLORIDA CABINET, a
joint collegial body,
Defendants.
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COMPLAINT SEEKING
DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
Plaintiffs, MATTHEW WEIDNER, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, CITIZENS FOR
SUNSHINE, INC., and THE FLORIDA SOCIETY OF NEWSPAPER EDITORS, INC., sue
Defendants, RICK SCOTT and THE FLORIDA CABINET, a joint collegial body, and alleges:
Introduction
This action seeks a declaration that the Florida Cabinet is subject to the Sunshine Law
when cabinet aides seek to act for and exchange information among Cabinet members as to
decisions about hiring and firing the head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The
Governor violated the Sunshine Law by using conduits to engage in polling, discussions,
communications and other exchanges with other members of the Cabinet regarding his unilateral
decision to force the resignation of the FDLE Commissioner and appoint a replacement without
any notice to the public, without any opportunity for the public to attend, and without any
Filing # 23326580 E-Filed 02/03/2015 05:01:59 PM
2
minutes being taken. Because the Governor appears to justify this conduct by claiming it is part
of a longstanding convention and tradition, Plaintiffs also seek injunctive relief.
JURISDICTION
1.
This Court has jurisdiction pursuant to Art. I, Sec. 24(b), Fla. Const.; Art. V, Sec.
20(c)(3), Fla. Const.; § 26.012(2)(e) and (3), Fla. Stat.; § 86.011; § 286.011(4), Fla. Stat.; and
Rule 1.610, Fla. R. Civ. P.
2.
Venue lies in Leon County, Florida, because the acts for which suit is brought
have occurred or are occurring in Leon County, Florida, and the Defendants are located within
Leon County, Florida.
PARTIES
3.
Plaintiff, Matthew Weidne