Open Letter of Complaint
Florida Sunshine Law nearly got me arrested....
June 28, 2006 “It happened”
Miami-Dade County citizen, Keith Wilson, was ordered out of the Miami-Dade County Building Department by police, because he was video taping an advertised “Public Hearing”, for which he was scheduled to appear on an appeal.
The appeal was to contest the Building Code Violation citation he was issued for an expired permit.
To ensure he wasn’t breaking any laws, Mr. Wilson contacted the Florida Attorney General Office prior to the scheduled appeal hearing.
He was advised by the then Attorney General Charlie Crist (senior assistant), that
a citizen is permitted by State Law, to video tape any public hearing.
Mr. Wilson wanted just one more interpretation of the Law, concerning Public Hearings and the public’s right to video tape. He contacted the State Attorney’s Office and spoke with Asst. State Attorney Joe Cantarino, who assured Mr. Wilson, that
the Law provides for a citizen to video tape any public hearing.
Mr. Wilson, confident that the law was on his side, entered the hearing room, camera rolling, when suddenly a building security guard rushed into the hearing room and ordered Mr. Wilson to shut off his camera.
Mr. Wilson bravely replied: “Huh??? the law allows me to video tape this public hearing, so long my equipment is not intrusive or disruptive...”
Minutes later, the hearing officer advised (on the orders of the Building Director), that this hearing is canceled because Mr. Wilson is video taping the hearing.
Security immediately called 911.
Police responded and briefly arrested Mr. Wilson.
They then released him and ordered him off the premises.
Mr. Wilson, fearing arrest, left the premises with his cameras rolling.
As a direct result of the Florida Sunshine Laws violations, committed by the Miami-Dade County Building Dept. officials, Mr. Wilson’s appeal hearing was illegally canceled.
Mr. Wilson lost his appeal and was fined the cost of the hearing, plus the citation and administrative fees...
If the Florida Sunshine Law is to mean anything, everyone must comply, even the government.
We respectfully request the assistance of the Governor of the Great State of Florida, The Honorable Charlie Crist

We protest the illegal actions of
Miami-Dade County Building Dept. Director, Rick Roig.
He should be fired.