The matter of HCSO Sgt. Janak Amin/Notice of Intent to Sue HCSO
THE LAW OFFICE OF PAUL M. SISCO
FIFTH THIRD CENTER
201 EAST KENNEDY BOULEVARD, SUITE 412
TAMPA, FLORIDA 33602
PAUL M. SISCO (813) 225-1988
BOARD CERTIFIED CRIMINAL TRIAL EXPERT
FLORIDA BAR BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE psisco@paulsiscolaw.com
TO: Tampa Bay Media Outlets
FROM: Counsel for Sgt. Janak Amin (Jay P. Lechner, Robert E. O’Neill and Paul M.Sisco)
DATE: February 1, 2021
IN RE: The matter of HCSO Sgt. Janak Amin/Notice of Intent to Sue HCSO and Demand
of Retraction from Sheriff Chronister (Photo of J. Amin and SAO letter attached)
After a careful, deliberate and just investigation, the State Attomey’s Office, by letter
dated January 22, 2021, terminated the politically-motivated arrest and firing of our client, Sgt.
Janak Amin. The 21-year HCSO Sgt., decorated military veteran, husband and father had been
arrested and terminated by Sheriff Chad Chronister on July 10, 2020. In a bombastic press
conference that same day — without a thorough investigation or due process -- and just weeks
before the general election, Chronister called the local media together and announced Amin’s
arrest and termination. After more than six months of careful review, the SAO correctly informed
Chronister that Amin’s actions constituted no crime.
On July 9, 2020, Janak was specifically called on by Chronister to solve a problem of his
Agency’s own doing: the improper release of a convicted felon with multiple violent priors. After
hours of surveillance, Amin’s squad located and arrested the fugitive after he ran and resisted
arrest. Sgt. Amin and his squad had solved Chronister’s problem. Sgt. Amin was rewarded only
by Chronister’s ill-motivated political stunt.
To be clear, no good law enforcement officer supports the unnecessary or excessive use
of force. However, when good cops are called upon to do their sworn duty, do it well, and do it
safely consistent with their training and SOPs, they should not have to fear loss of their career or
criminal prosecution from a politically-motivated boss. In recent weeks, the quality Deputies of
this agency — and they are many — have expressed great uncertainty as to the parameters of their
lawful use of force. Unfortunately, uncertainty in dangerous situations is a recipe for injury and
death.
Sgt. Amin’s counsel Paul Sisco summed up the event this way: “When the elected Sheriff
chooses to create political theatre at the expense of one of his best leaders, he better count on a
fight. Respect is not coerced, it is earned. Sgt. Amin will pursue any and all of his lawful
remedies.” Amin’s counsel have already this week noticed HCSO of Amin’s intent to sue and
have also demanded public retractions of the Sheriff's false statements.
PAUL M. SISCO (813) 225-1988
BOARD CERTIFIED CRIMINAL TRIAL EXPERT
FLORIDA BAR BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE psisco@paulsiscolaw.com
Injustice by a politician
It appears this deputy is a victim of politics. The deputy appears to have an outstanding record and used street tactics to arrest a dangerous criminal. Then it appears the sheriff called a news conference on a routine internal affairs investigation to promote his own political agenda. Hope the legal system makes amends.