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BOMBSHELL AT PRE-TRIAL DELAYS GIGLIOTTI CHILD ABUSE CASE
The victim, who was identified for the first time in his court appearance as 17-year old Adam Gigliotti, said he agreed with a plea deal for Angelo, who pleaded to one count of aggravated child abuse and five years of probation in return for testimony against TaiLing Gigliotti.
JUDGE WON'T WORK WITH COUNTY ON PLAN FOR WEEKEND INMATES
Circuit Judge Jack Springstead said Thursday that he was not inclined to hand out any 30-day county jail sentences if there was a possibility that those sentences would not be served in jail. Most 30-day sentences come with the option of serving time on weekends only, and Hernando County officials are looking at a program that would put weekend offenders to work in the community to save up to $55,000 a year in jail costs. Springstead apparently doesn't like that idea. In comments about a plea bargain for a 30-day sentence, Springstead said he was not prepared to "have the county modify sentences" handed down by the courts and would not commit to a 30-day sentence if it meant potentially no actual jail time. The statements by the county's busiest criminal court judge could torpedo the county's cost-saving plan.
PORT AUTHORITY HEARS NEW DREDGE PLANS BUT NO DATE TO RESUME
Goebel said the dredging cannot resume until regulators respond, though she said they have promised to expedite their answer. Because of a lack of tests of the anti-coagulant material, some of the spoil may have to be disposed of in a landfill, either the county's landfill or a construction and demolition debris facility. She also said the new plans still contemplate a project within budget.
The Port Authority voted to approve a resolution to the County Board urging the board to ask legislators to extend a funding deadline of June 30. Goebel said legislative contacts so far have her and other county officials optimistic that the date can be moved and state funding saved.
REEF PROJECT DELAYS ANGER PORT AUTHORITY MEMBERS
Hamilton had explained that the county would need to hold a permit for the project and staff needed to focus on getting the dredge done now. But Morton and authority member Jim McFarlane said the simple process of opening a permit needed to be done now to line up for grant funding for next year. McFarlane even displayed a permit form that was already partly filled out and said it was "frustrating to spend a year on it and find ourselves moving backward" and that he was "very disappointed.
Hamilton suggested that the authority formally request that the County Board take steps now to obtain the permit, and the authority moved unanimously to do that. Hamilton said "we'll get started tonight" and penciled in a March 23 date for consideration of the project by the board.
DESPITE ISSUES, CONTRACT LOSSES, CCA DOING WELL
The Journal reported this week that the company’s stock has steadily risen since it released its fourth-quarter and full-year earnings report on Feb. 9 and announced a $250 million stock repurchase program. The company’s shares have risen from $17.83 at that time to close last week at $21.32.
The loss of the Kentucky contract, however, would join other recent losses — including contracts with the federal Bureau of Prisons and the state of Arizona — that led the company to predict lower earnings in 2010. The company also lost a Florida contract two years ago when the Bay County sheriff in Panama City took over his county's jail operations from CCA.
E-VERIFY STUDY CITES INACCURACIES, LACK OF FRAUD DETECTION
Critics of the Westat study say the report uses old data and that newer figures give E-Verify a better grade for error rates. And they pointed to pending legislation they say would make the program stronger and more efficient.
Hernando County commissioners asked staff Tuesday to research the E-Verify program for possible local use. The matter is slated for more discussion at a County Board workshop in April.
INMATE CHOOSES "FRYING PAN" OVER "FIRE"
Frank was sentenced for lewd and lascivious molestation involving two children aged four and five. His 2007 conviction was more than four years from the date of the crime in 2003. He challenged the sentence because the four-year limitations statute had run and won his appeal.
But when prosecutor Brian Trehey told Frank's lawyers that he could still be charged with capital sexual battery, which has no statute of limitations and a potential sentence of life in prison, Frank dropped his request to set aside the sentence. Family members say he could be released from his original prison term as early as April of next year.
PROBATION GIVEN TO RENTER OF MARIJUANA GROW HOUSE
A 58-year old Cuban national who was charged with running a marijuana grow house on Moon Road in December will serve only three years of probation. Alfredo Abad pleaded no contest to the charges in circuit court Thursday after his lawyer and prosecutors worked out a plea deal. Attorney James Brown said Abad was leasing the home and allowed others to use him and his residence for a marijuana cultivation scheme. Brown told Judge Jack Springstead that Abad was not an active participant in the pot growing scheme, had a clean record otherwise, and deserved the break.
FORMER WORKER GETS PROBATION, BIG RESTITUTION IN LOWE'S THEFTS
A former zone manager for Lowe's home improvement stores was sentenced to 10 years of probation Thursday and ordered to pay restitution of $30,000 for his part in a scheme to steal from the Lowe's store in Brooksville. James Goldberg of Spring Hill pleaded no contest to a charge of dealing in stolen property. He was originally accused of grand theft as well, but that charge was dropped as part of the plea deal. Goldberg and two other men were arrested in June of last year and charged in the theft of $70,000 in store merchandise. The plea deal will require Goldberg to testify against the other suspects in any trial.
SHERIFF LOOKING FOR THEFT SUSPECT
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| The subject pictured above is the suspect in a theft that occurred at Wal-Mart, 13300 Cortez Bv., on Friday, 02-26-10, at approximately 3:30 a.m. If you recognize this subject, notify District 2 Deputy Schneider. If you wish to remainanonymous or to be eligible for a reward, call the Hernando County CrimeStoppers toll free number 1-866-990-8477 or you may email your tip byclicking below. http://www.hernandosheriff.org/Tips/ You may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000. | |
WATER AWARENESS SEMINAR FRIDAY
The seminar topic will be: Home Water Conservation Detective. Or "How-To-Do" Home-Water Conservation Audit. Presenters are Brent White and Susan Douglas from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Participants of this month's program will be given one (per household) FREE indoor water conservation retrofit kit. Attendees should call the Hernando County Utilities Department at 352 754-4705 to confirm a seat.
I stand by the Sheriff's Department operating the jail. I and many others feel it is un-ethical for a jail system to profit. A free-market jail's product is the county citizens. The free-market jail system encourages arrest quotas and a hole host of un-ethical behavior. Sheriff Nugent and his department operating the jail is better and safer for our community and it's citizens. The Sheriff's department needs to be more positively involved in the community and create a sense of family with the community. CCA only encourages arrest quotas and harassment of our citizenry. CCA employees have stated that their job is mostly babysitting. A large portion of those arrested suffer from different forms of mental illness and should not even be in the jail. Sheriff's deputies could act in a more caring and reasonable manner with the community and be a part of the community if CCA were out of the picture. CCAs product for profit is our citizens. Arrest quotas are needed to keep CCA and its profiteers afloat and that is just plain wrong.
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The Hernando County Sheriff's Dept and media have a history of "sensationalism." Alleged crimes are reported as facts creating a false pre-judging of guilt upon a citizen. A plea deal equates to saving ones freedom at any cost, i.e. lying to preserve ones societal freedoms. The co-defendant in the alleged abuse case has lost any and all credibility, he is a "bought" man paid for by the prosecution. He is now a puppet for the prosecution. The lost factor in this case is Tai Ling is a woman who like most citizens was unable to handle a delinquent young man. This delinquent young man should have been placed in a home for youth with his behavioral issues. A woman subjected to this young man's behavior and what she must have gone through appears lost. Having experienced delinquent youth whom lied under oath and in statements, I know for a fact the youth of all ages lie or exaggerate a situation. The State Attorney's Office only encourages delinquent behavior and gives youth the power to continue rendering abuse on the adult.
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