What's on his mind? Carolina, perhaps

By Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler, Times Staff Writer
Published August 11, 2005

SOUNDING OFF ON THE SHERIFF: Tampa attorney Luke Lirot, known for his defense of First Amendment cases, likens the law enforcement chat board site LeoAffairs.com to "a modern-day suggestion box" that allows people to "register their complaints."

Lirot represents the site's operators in their legal dispute with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, whose leaders want to identify through subpoena any deputies who left false, crude and revealing messages about the agency.

Lirot said Wednesday he is confident the courts will rule in favor of his client, "because the courts have been very sensitive to protecting people on the basis of their affiliations."

The Sheriff's Office filed a suit last month asking a judge to stop the site's operators from putting online any deputies' postings that violate the agency's codes of conduct. Sheriff David Gee, the subject of many postings, says the site harms morale and weakens discipline.

Attached to the complaint are copies of the department's codes of conduct, which prohibit derogatory remarks and "public disparagement" of the agency and its policies.

Lirot maintains that people expressing their opinions are largely protected - unless the Sheriff's Office can prove the postings are defamatory.

"Even if there's racially motivated statements, it may not be in good taste, but it's no different than the Nazis marching through Skokie.

"I just don't think any of this rises to the level necessary to pierce the veil of anonymity."

Times staff writer Demorris Lee contributed to this report. Contact Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler at 813 226-3373 or svansickler@sptimes.com