Sheriff David Gee - Lawsuit Website

In 2005, Hillsborough County Sheriff Gee did not like certain comments made about his agency on the web. In 2009, he decided to cut a certain reporter out of the information loop. The reporter was Senior Reporter Mike Deeson. Read about Sheriff David Gee and his 2005 efforts to silence web critics here.

The 2009 incident sparked protest amongst credentialed media, the Sheriff took the reporter off of the blacklist and a few days later the reporter filed a series of blistering investigative reports about allegations of abuse at the Hillsborough County Jail. Here is a quaint message from the Sheriff's Office about the banned reporter incident:

Hello Everyone,

Today Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee met with WTSP 10 Connects General Manager Ken Tonning and News Director Darren Richards. As a result, the Sheriff's Office is confident they will address our concerns that were posted on 30th September's media release.

In light of WTSP's cooperation, HCSO will rescind the suspension of contact and at this point will reserve any future comments pending the out come of WTSP's internal review.

Thanks,

Deputy Larry McKinnon

 
Read about Sheriff David Gee and his efforts to prevent a reporter from getting to the bottom of abuse allegations under the Sheriff's watch. That story is here.

You can watch the investigative report by Mike Deeson Below.

Tell Me Your Story - 1-877-793-9290