Crimes and Courts

Statement from Andrew Warren Following Ruling

Published

3 years ago

January 20, 2023

TAMPA, FL (January 20, 2023) – Andrew Warren gave the statement below to reporters following today’s ruling where a federal judge said Governor Ron DeSantis’ suspension of Warren “violated the Florida Constitution” and was “a violation of the First Amendment.”

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The trial was a search for the truth, and over the past five months the truth has come out. The truth is that Gov. DeSantis abused his power and suspended me not in the pursuit of justice but in the pursuit of politics. The truth is that this suspension was never about the job that I did. As the judge wrote, quote, “The actual facts, whether Mr. Warren actually had any blanket non-prosecution policies, did not matter.’’

The suspension was always a political stunt, a cheap trick to add one more misleading line to the governor’s stump speech. The truth is, for the past six years I’ve been a pragmatic, forward-looking state attorney, both tough and smart on crime, representing my own vision of criminal justice and the purple county that I so proudly serve. But DeSantis and his enablers didn’t care about the truth. They didn’t care about our office’s success. They didn’t care about the safety of our community, and they didn’t care about the will of the voters. They cared about scoring political points through a political stunt. Period.

From the day I was suspended, I’ve said that the suspension was illegal. And although a judge said he couldn’t put me back into the office to which I was twice elected, a federal judge confirmed that the suspension was illegal. The judge concluded that the governor violated federal law and state law. He violated my First Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution by suspending me for speaking out on issues of public importance. He violated my First Amendment rights by suspending me because I am a Democrat. He violated the Florida Constitution by suspending me not because I had done anything wrong but because my vision as state attorney doesn’t fit with his political agenda. As the judge wrote, and I quote, “The record includes not a hint of misconduct by Mr. Warren. The assertion that Mr. Warren neglected his duty or was incompetent is incorrect. This factual issue is not close.’’

From the beginning, I have said that this case was bigger than just me. The idea that a governor can break federal and state law to suspend an elected official should send shivers down the spine of anyone who cares about free speech, the integrity of our elections or the rule of law, three core principles on which our democracy is built. When the governor announced the suspension, he stood up and proclaimed that our government is a government of laws, not a government of men. I couldn’t agree more. The judge wrote, quote, “If the facts matter. the governor can simply rescind the suspension.’’

Let’s see if the governor actually believes in the rule of law. Let’s see if the governor actually is a man of his word. Let’s see what kind of man the governor actually is. The governor is supposed to represent all Floridians. And if he wants to represent all Americans, then this is a golden opportunity for him to show our country what kind of man he truly is. This is not over. Thank you.

Crimes and Courts

Ex-FBI Employee Claims Dismissal for LGBTQ+ Flag Violated Constitutional Rights

Published

1 week ago

November 29, 2025

FNN NEWS

WASHINGTON (FNN) — A longtime FBI employee who was nearing completion of special agent training was dismissed last month for displaying a Pride flag at his workspace, according to a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday.

David Maltinsky, who worked for the FBI for 16 years, had completed 16 of 19 weeks of agent training at Quantico when he said he was handed a termination letter from FBI Director Kash Patel and told he was being dismissed for the “inappropriate display of political signage.” The suit asserts that the flag, previously flown outside the Los Angeles field office during Pride Month in 2021, was displayed inside with prior approval from supervisors.

Background and Training Dismissal

Maltinsky previously served as an intelligence specialist in the Los Angeles field office and was pursuing a long-held goal of becoming a special agent. The Progress Pride flag — which includes rainbow stripes and additional colors to represent LGBTQ+ individuals and communities of color — had been gifted to him after being taken down from its official display at the field office.

The lawsuit states that Maltinsky was a supporter of diversity efforts within the bureau. These efforts were halted under a January executive order from President Donald Trump that eliminated federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Legal Claims and Government Response

The suit names Patel, the FBI, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and the Justice Department as defendants. It seeks Maltinsky’s reinstatement, a declaration that his dismissal violated First Amendment rights to free speech and Fifth Amendment guarantees of equal protection.

The FBI and Justice Department declined to comment on pending litigation.

Maltinsky’s attorney, Christopher M. Mattei, called the firing unconstitutional, saying, “This case is about far more than one man’s career — it’s about whether the government can punish Americans simply for saying who they are.”

Broader Personnel Disputes at the Bureau

The filing comes amid other lawsuits brought by FBI officials alleging improper personnel actions taken in President Trump’s second term. In September, three former senior FBI officials claimed they were dismissed as part of a “campaign of retribution” allegedly driven by political pressure.

Crimes and Courts

Orange County Sheriff: Teen Arrested After Fellow Student Over School Altercation

Published

2 months ago

October 10, 2025

Willie David

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – On Thursday, October 9, Orange County deputies responded to a shooting at Vogt-Meloon Park on West Oak Ridge Road. The incident left 16-year-old Pinien Dalmacy dead and 15-year-old Jacori Redding facing charges that could change his life forever. Both were sophomores at Oak Ridge High School, with bright futures now tragically derailed.

Altercation Began at School

According to witnesses, the two teens had a confrontation earlier in the day on campus. Redding reportedly bumped into Dalmacy in the hallway. When Dalmacy asked him to apologize, Redding refused. The disagreement escalated, and both agreed to meet after school to fight at Vogt-Meloon Park.

Tragic Shooting at the Park

Once at the basketball court, the argument turned deadly. Deputies say Redding shot Dalmacy during the altercation. After the shooting, Redding ran back to Oak Ridge High School. School Resource Officer Deputy Nelson Rodriguez acted swiftly, coordinating with school officials to secure the suspect in the cafeteria. Deputies later found the firearm in Redding’s bag.

Sheriff Mina’s Statement

“My heart aches for Pinyon’s family, who are grieving this unimaginable loss,” said Orange County Sheriff John Mina. “And I’m angry that something as small as bumping into someone in the halls of a high school can result in a shooting death.”

Investigation and Community Appeal

Jacori Redding has been arrested, and a juvenile custody order was issued for manslaughter with a firearm and possession of a firearm on school property.
Detectives believe several witnesses were present during the shooting and that videos may exist. Authorities are asking anyone with information or footage to contact investigators at ocsoinfo@ocsofl.com.

Central Florida News

State Attorney Monique Worrell Responds to Court’s Denial of Bond for Former Deputy in Fatal Shooting Case

Published

3 months ago

September 5, 2025

Willie David

File - State Attorney Monique Worrell | Photo by J Willie David, III / Florida National News

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) – State Attorney Monique Worrell issued a statement following the court’s decision to deny bond for Anthony Shea, a former deputy charged in connection with a fatal shooting.

Court’s Decision Reflects Seriousness of Charges
“The Court’s decision today to deny bond for Anthony Shea reflects the seriousness of the charges he faces,” Worrell said. Shea remains in custody as legal proceedings move forward in a case that has drawn significant public and law enforcement attention.

Honoring the Victim’s Life and Service
“Beyond the legal proceedings, this case is about honoring the life of a woman who dedicated herself to protecting others,” Worrell added. “This was a tragic loss of life that has deeply impacted the law enforcement community, as well as our circuit.”

Commitment to Justice
Worrell emphasized her office’s ongoing commitment to ensuring justice is served. “We continue to extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the victim during this painful time. Our office remains steadfast in ensuring that her service, her sacrifice, and her memory are met with the justice they deserve.”