Men: The attached is recent correspondence regarding the claims bill, and the 2nd attachment in particular
explains our position in great detail. I would encourage you to contact your local media outlets, and explain the
state’s irrational position (as mentioned in the letter & in my earlier email message). We need to expose their
position in hopes of putting pressure on the legislators to consider the bill during this session. I appreciate your
help. Keep the faith!
Regards,
Greg
Gregory J. Hoag, Esq.
Masterson Law Group, P.A.
699 First Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
727-896-3641
727-895-3559 (fax)
ghoag@mastersonlaw.com
Important Points:
The final paragraph of the Order of Abeyance says that the abeyance may be waived by the Senate. We need to
find out how to accomplish that. In addition, the initial letter from the Special Master says that ex parte
communication with the Special Master is prohibited. I do not see anything about communication with the
senators.
Attached is the correspondence with Senate Special Master re: SB 46. Of note, the last paragraph of the 1st
attached letter says “ex-parte communication with the senate special master is prohibited.”
We should be permitted to contact Sen. Fasano and other Senate members directly.
JUSTICE DEPT. REPORT
http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/spl/documents/dozier_findltr_12-1-11.pdf
explains our position in great detail. I would encourage you to contact your local media outlets, and explain the
state’s irrational position (as mentioned in the letter & in my earlier email message). We need to expose their
position in hopes of putting pressure on the legislators to consider the bill during this session. I appreciate your
help. Keep the faith!
Regards,
Greg
Gregory J. Hoag, Esq.
Masterson Law Group, P.A.
699 First Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
727-896-3641
727-895-3559 (fax)
ghoag@mastersonlaw.com
Important Points:
The final paragraph of the Order of Abeyance says that the abeyance may be waived by the Senate. We need to
find out how to accomplish that. In addition, the initial letter from the Special Master says that ex parte
communication with the Special Master is prohibited. I do not see anything about communication with the
senators.
Attached is the correspondence with Senate Special Master re: SB 46. Of note, the last paragraph of the 1st
attached letter says “ex-parte communication with the senate special master is prohibited.”
We should be permitted to contact Sen. Fasano and other Senate members directly.
JUSTICE DEPT. REPORT
http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/spl/documents/dozier_findltr_12-1-11.pdf
7 PAGES
As of Jan 21, 2012
Jerry,
I have not heard back yet from the H&K attorneys as to current
status. From what I know, Senator Fasano is going to push to
have the bill considered during this session. I will let you know if I
learn of any more details.
Greg
Gregory J. Hoag, Esq.
Masterson Law Group, P.A.
699 First Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
727-896-3641
727-895-3559 (fax)
ghoag@mastersonlaw.com
Jerry,
I have not heard back yet from the H&K attorneys as to current
status. From what I know, Senator Fasano is going to push to
have the bill considered during this session. I will let you know if I
learn of any more details.
Greg
Gregory J. Hoag, Esq.
Masterson Law Group, P.A.
699 First Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
727-896-3641
727-895-3559 (fax)
ghoag@mastersonlaw.com
AS OF WED JAN 25: Men: Please see below. I would urge you & the others to contact Senator Fasano at
850-487-5062 and fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov. Everyone needs to first THANK HIM for his support &
sponsorship of bill, and then encourage that he try to move the Senate Special Master off his position of having the
bill abate, so it can be considered this session. Please spread the word & keep up the fight! Greg Hoag
CALL: 850-487-5062
EMAIL SENATOR FASANO: fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov
850-487-5062 and fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov. Everyone needs to first THANK HIM for his support &
sponsorship of bill, and then encourage that he try to move the Senate Special Master off his position of having the
bill abate, so it can be considered this session. Please spread the word & keep up the fight! Greg Hoag
CALL: 850-487-5062
EMAIL SENATOR FASANO: fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov
4/27/12 Robert--
Thanks for the e-mail and forgive my delay in responding. Determining the value of compensation and the procedure for allocating compensation will
be one of the most challenging aspects of this process. We are not there yet. I know this is not a very satisfying answer, but it's the only one I have
right now. We are working hard on the political end, trying to get the legislative support we need to move forward.
Joe
Joseph H. Varner, III | Holland & Knight
Partner | Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer
100 North Tampa Street, Suite 4100 | Tampa FL 33602
Phone 813.227.6703 | Fax 813.229.0134
joe.varner@hklaw.com | www.hklaw.com
4/12/2012
Jerry,
We are presently in the process of considering another strategy with H&K to approach the legislature, but we need to first develop before disclosing
addt'l information at this time.
I apologize for not being able to provide more info, but I'll be sure to contact you as soon as we're in position to provide an update. Please let the WHB
know that we're working hard on developing another strategy to hopefully have the claim considered. Thanks, Greg
MONDAY MARCH 5
Gentlemen:
Attorneys Joe Varner and Brad Kimbro of Holland & Knight met with the Senate Special Master last week in Tallahassee, and it apparently was a productive meeting.
The Senate Special Master is an Administrative Law Judge who works at the direction of the Senate President. Although the Bill has continuously been abated for our
alleged
failure to meet certain Senate rules, it was apparently alluded to that the Senate President has the discretion and ability to waive certain rules/requirements and consider
Bills.
The Senate Special Master also suggested that we consider a remedies bill as opposed to a claims bill. The Holland & Knight team is currently researching and
analyzing this alternative because
it is quite frankly a foreign concept to the attorneys involved. Once they have conducted this research and analysis, we plan to further discuss this option in the near
future.
I was personally surprised that the Senate Special Master even agreed to meet with Joe and Brad based on his previous correspondence to us. I am anxious to learn of
our next step, and will be sure to notify you all as soon as I can.
UPDATE AS OF SAT FEB 25,2012 DETAILS ON MEETING WITH SPECIAL MASTER ON WEDNESDAY AT 2PM
Gregory Hoag ghoag@mastersonlaw.com 1:09 PM (19 minutes ago)
Please see below for an update. We’ve finally been successful in scheduling a meeting with the Senate Special Master. He hasn’t been very receptive to
claims bill this session as evidenced by article in today’s TB Times . . .
http://www.tampabay.com/incoming/24m-payout-in-limbo-in-police-informants-death/1217096
Please feel free to pass this along to all clients & give my best to all.
We’ll be in touch with update after meeting.
On Sat, Feb 25, 2012 at 12:42 PM, <brad.kimbro@hklaw.com> wrote:
Further update: Eric Eikenberg has scheduled a meeting with the special master on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Eric and/or Gov. Martinez will join the meeting.
Joe and I will report back after the meeting. Thanks.
Bradford D. Kimbro | Holland & Knight
Executive Partner - Tampa Bay
100 North Tampa Street, Suite 4100 | Tampa FL 33602
Phone 813.227.6660 | Fax 813.229.0134
brad.kimbro@hklaw.com | www.hklaw.com
SCROLL DOWN FOR PAST NEWS
Thanks for the e-mail and forgive my delay in responding. Determining the value of compensation and the procedure for allocating compensation will
be one of the most challenging aspects of this process. We are not there yet. I know this is not a very satisfying answer, but it's the only one I have
right now. We are working hard on the political end, trying to get the legislative support we need to move forward.
Joe
Joseph H. Varner, III | Holland & Knight
Partner | Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer
100 North Tampa Street, Suite 4100 | Tampa FL 33602
Phone 813.227.6703 | Fax 813.229.0134
joe.varner@hklaw.com | www.hklaw.com
4/12/2012
Jerry,
We are presently in the process of considering another strategy with H&K to approach the legislature, but we need to first develop before disclosing
addt'l information at this time.
I apologize for not being able to provide more info, but I'll be sure to contact you as soon as we're in position to provide an update. Please let the WHB
know that we're working hard on developing another strategy to hopefully have the claim considered. Thanks, Greg
MONDAY MARCH 5
Gentlemen:
Attorneys Joe Varner and Brad Kimbro of Holland & Knight met with the Senate Special Master last week in Tallahassee, and it apparently was a productive meeting.
The Senate Special Master is an Administrative Law Judge who works at the direction of the Senate President. Although the Bill has continuously been abated for our
alleged
failure to meet certain Senate rules, it was apparently alluded to that the Senate President has the discretion and ability to waive certain rules/requirements and consider
Bills.
The Senate Special Master also suggested that we consider a remedies bill as opposed to a claims bill. The Holland & Knight team is currently researching and
analyzing this alternative because
it is quite frankly a foreign concept to the attorneys involved. Once they have conducted this research and analysis, we plan to further discuss this option in the near
future.
I was personally surprised that the Senate Special Master even agreed to meet with Joe and Brad based on his previous correspondence to us. I am anxious to learn of
our next step, and will be sure to notify you all as soon as I can.
UPDATE AS OF SAT FEB 25,2012 DETAILS ON MEETING WITH SPECIAL MASTER ON WEDNESDAY AT 2PM
Gregory Hoag ghoag@mastersonlaw.com 1:09 PM (19 minutes ago)
Please see below for an update. We’ve finally been successful in scheduling a meeting with the Senate Special Master. He hasn’t been very receptive to
claims bill this session as evidenced by article in today’s TB Times . . .
http://www.tampabay.com/incoming/24m-payout-in-limbo-in-police-informants-death/1217096
Please feel free to pass this along to all clients & give my best to all.
We’ll be in touch with update after meeting.
On Sat, Feb 25, 2012 at 12:42 PM, <brad.kimbro@hklaw.com> wrote:
Further update: Eric Eikenberg has scheduled a meeting with the special master on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Eric and/or Gov. Martinez will join the meeting.
Joe and I will report back after the meeting. Thanks.
Bradford D. Kimbro | Holland & Knight
Executive Partner - Tampa Bay
100 North Tampa Street, Suite 4100 | Tampa FL 33602
Phone 813.227.6660 | Fax 813.229.0134
brad.kimbro@hklaw.com | www.hklaw.com
SCROLL DOWN FOR PAST NEWS
I just received the email below from Roger Kaiser. It looks like there is some movement toward putting the old
school in Marianna to a new use. I wonder if we should suggest to someone that the White House should be
retained or even moved to be a monument of some sort to remind society of the fate that can come to children
who are not protected. What do you think?
Tom Masterson
Article Link: http://www.wtvy.com/floridanews/headlines/126812873.html
school in Marianna to a new use. I wonder if we should suggest to someone that the White House should be
retained or even moved to be a monument of some sort to remind society of the fate that can come to children
who are not protected. What do you think?
Tom Masterson
Article Link: http://www.wtvy.com/floridanews/headlines/126812873.html