TALLAHASSEE, FLA. (WSVN) - Suspended Broward Sheriff Scott Israel is days away from finding out whether or not he’ll get his job back.
Lawmakers in Tallahassee are scheduled to vote on Israel’s reinstatement when they return to session this week.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis removed Israel for neglect of duty and incompetence over what he says are failures of the shootings at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
But the Florida Senate’s special master, Dudley Goodlette, disagreed.
Goodlette, a Republican, examined the case during a three-day hearing in June. He wrote that DeSantis didn’t prove his case, and Israel should be reinstated.
“Very humbled, very grateful to God for what happened today,” said Israel at a news conference held after Goodlette made his recommendation.
Goodlette’s report, however, acknowledged mistakes were made on the day of the Stoneman Douglas shooting, especially by former BSO Deputy Scot Peterson and other first responders.
Goodlette wrote, “I have no trouble concluding these deputies neglected their duty during the Stoneman Douglas shooting and bear varying degrees of culpability. However, I cannot adopt the governor’s position that their personal failures, in and of themselves, create grounds to remove Sheriff Israel.”
In a letter sent Friday, Israel’s attorney, Benedict Kuehne, said a letter circulated Thursday stating that the parties could present additional evidence to the Florida Senate.
In an email sent to 7News, Kuehne wrote, “Due to uncertainty regarding the procedures to be used by the Florida Senate in reviewing the lawless suspension action by Governor DeSantis, Sheriff Israel demanded Senate compliance with the rules governing these proceedings.”
Kuehner went on to write, “[Israel] prevailed at a fair trial based on the Governor and Sheriff Israel having a full opportunity to present all relevant evidence. The rule of law and the Senate’s history and legacy make clear that is the evidence on which the Senate will decide this matter. Neither party is allowed by law and constitutional commandments to alter the evidence.”
Meanwhile, residents from Parkland, including parents of students killed in the Stoneman Douglas shooting, have arrived in Tallahassee and are planning to voice their opposition to Israel’s reinstatement.
7News cameras captured a bus filled with activists pulling up in Tallahassee, Sunday. One of them was seen wearing a forest green baseball cap with “Make BSO Great Again” emblazoned on it.”
“No more Scott Israel,” they shouted in unison as they posed for a group photo.
Andrew Pollack, the father of Stoneman Douglas victim Meadow Pollack, was part of the group.
“Ten deputies — a captain, a lieutenant, sergeants, deputies — failed that day,” he said in reference to the Feb. 14, 2018 massacre. “I think, in total, it was about 10 that day that failed, so when is a leader held accountable. You need 20 deputies to fail?”
“All we’re asking for is accountability,” said activist Cindy Levine. “To this day, [Sheriff Israel] won’t admit that he did anything wrong.”
In a tweet posted Sunday, Pollack wrote, “I have not been fighting every single day since I lost my daughter to see Scott Israel be reinstated. His failed leadership is directly responsible. Now he has the guts to try and get his job back.”
Pollack has already been making the grounds in Tallahassee, meeting with senators as he lobbies to keep Israel from getting his job back.
“For me, it’s about community safety for everybody in a whole,” he said.
Parkland residents are scheduled to speak at a news conference at the Florida Capitol, Monday morning.
Israel declined to comment on the hearings, but his attorneys are expected to make legal arguments against some of the measures the Governor’s Office has been making.
The Senate is scheduled to have a final vote on Wednesday.
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