Friday, March 20, 2009

Florida Candidate's Records Withheld

By Leigh Paynter

John Nicolette, a candidate for Dade County Commission, owns 14 properties in Pasco worth more than $4-million, according to The St. Petersburg Times. But the county’s online property records databases have nothing on Nicolette.

Nicolette is a Tampa firefighter. There is a public records exemption that shields the home address of public safety officials. So now the public is denied access to Nicolette’s investment properties, which tell the location, value, and taxes paid on each land Nicolette owns.

Nicolette said he believes the records should be easily accessible. He listed all of his properties in a campaign disclosure form.

The St. Petersburg Times reporter found Nicolette’s tax information by requesting the documents in person and getting a Times lawyer involved.

Under Florida law, public safety officials can request that their personal information, including their home address, telephone numbers, and photographs, be blocked on virtually any record. The exemption was designed to protect them from anyone wanting to do them harm.
  • Is withholding Nicolette’s property investment records a violation of the law?
  • What are some of the public benefits of having Nicolette’s information made public?

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