Justin Garcia

Tampa

State and Local Accountability Reporter at Tampa Bay Times

State and local accountability reporter @TB_Times Email: [email protected] Previous: @cl_tampabay @thenation @ire_nicar @boltsmag @scalawagmag @heraldtribune

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Articles

DeSantis said Hope Florida experts are in every sheriff’s office. Are they?

1 week ago | tampabay.com | Justin Garcia

Gov. Ron DeSantis and first lady Casey DeSantis led a news conference in Tallahassee on April 1 to announce that trained Hope Florida liaisons were in every sheriff’s office. The DeSantises, flanked by uniformed sheriffs and deputies in the state Capitol, touted the liaisons as dedicated conduits between the program and law enforcement.
Ex fiscales ven motivos para que los federales investiguen a Hope Florida

1 week ago | elnuevoherald.com | Alexandra Glorioso |Lawrence Mower |Justin Garcia

Un legislador republicano conmocionó al mundo político de Florida al acusar a representantes de la administración del gobernador Ron DeSantis de cometer delitos federales al desviar $10 millones de un acuerdo del Medicaid a actividades políticas el año pasado. Nadie ha sido acusada, y funcionarios de la administración DeSantis han negado haber actuado mal. Sin embargo, cuatro ex fiscales federales declararon al Herald/Times que el representante Alex Andrade podría tener una sólida base legal.
What former federal prosecutors say could be investigated with Hope Florida

1 week ago | tampabay.com | Alexandra Glorioso |Lawrence Mower |Justin Garcia

TALLAHASSEE — A Republican lawmaker shocked Florida’s political world when he accused representatives of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration of committing federal crimes by diverting $10 million from a Medicaid settlement to political activities last year. No one has been charged, and DeSantis administration officials have denied wrongdoing. But four former federal prosecutors told the Times/Herald that Rep. Alex Andrade could be on strong legal ground.
Man who wrongfully spent 31 years in prison for robbery sues city of Tampa

Dec 6, 2024 | tampabay.com | Justin Garcia

A man who spent decades in prison after questionable evidence was used against him by the Tampa Police Department is now suing in federal court. Attorneys for Tony Hopps, 59, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on Thursday against the City of Tampa and three former Tampa police detectives: Gene Strickland, J.D. O’Nolan and George McNamara. The lawsuit claims the detectives framed Hopps in 1990 with “deliberately tainted photo identification” for a robbery that he did not commit.
Pasco sheriff settles lawsuit filed over controversial policing program

Dec 4, 2024 | tampabay.com | Justin Garcia

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office reached a settlement Tuesday with people who said they were subjected to unconstitutional monitoring and harassment by deputies. The agency agreed to pay $105,000 to four plaintiffs, settling the case ahead of trial.
Two hurricanes swamped Tampa Bay flood defenses. What can be done?

Nov 28, 2024 | tampabay.com | Justin Garcia |Teghan Simonton |Max Chesnes

At least six times in the last four years, Kevin Cash and his neighborhood association in Seffner implored Hillsborough County officials to address an urgent threat:Lake Shangri-La was rising. Finally, as Hurricane Milton loomed last month, the county installed a temporary pump that lowered the water level by about six inches. But in the days after the storm made landfall, the nearby lake rose by more than three feet. Helpless to stop the encroachment, Cash watched the lake swamp his house.
Tickets to Master’s Tournament trigger feud in Hillsborough County politics

Nov 24, 2024 | tampabay.com | Jack Evans |Justin Garcia

Three Hillsborough County government and school district leaders traveled to Georgia in April to attend the Masters, the golf tournament known as one of the most rarefied events — and hottest tickets — in sports. They did so alongside a local builder hired often by the school district. The trip became a political flashpoint ahead of this year’s election and has recently sparked a war of words between two county commissioners.
Man arrested after altercation with Luna campaign manager in Clearwater

Nov 5, 2024 | tampabay.com | Justin Garcia

A Clearwater man was arrested Mondayafter reportedly striking a woman from an opposing political group with his shoulder outside the Clearwater courthouse. Andrew Francis, 32, is facing a charge of simple battery after a Saturday altercation with Olivia Carson, campaign manager for Republican U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna. Francis “made numerous aggressive actions and used verbal obscenities toward an opposing political group” outside the courthouse, according to Clearwater police.
Las elecciones generales de Florida ya están aquí. Esto es lo que debes saber.

Nov 4, 2024 | centrotampabay.com | Justin Garcia

El martes es la última oportunidad para que los votantes emitan su voto para las elecciones generales de 2024. Más de 8 millones de floridanos ya han votado temprano o por correo. Ese número aumentará a medida que más personas emitan su voto el día de las elecciones.
Florida’s general election is here. Here’s what to know.

Nov 4, 2024 | tampabay.com | Justin Garcia

Tuesday is the last chance for voters to cast their ballots for the 2024 general election. More than 8 million Floridians have already voted early or by mail. That number will rise as more people cast ballots on Election Day. Florida voters will help determine the next president and will decide on other key state and local races, including U.S. Senate, county commission seats and congressional races.