Vetting Sheriff Candidates for the 2020 election

[Stephanie Gibson]

My interactions with SSO over the past years have been nothing but exemplary. The single political interview I caught with Col Hoffman so far, he hit alot of the notes that I wanted to hear. He spoke on his views about coping with the Mentally Ill and CIT trainings surrounding such. As a FT caregiver for an adult MI son, I am looking for all the help I can get there. I know it aint easy for any of us, most especially cops. I absolutely appreciate the three SSO deputies that were there for Joe and I when we needed help.

I do wish I could wholly reject some of the things in this thread but I cant.. actually much of it is way familiar. I have seen screw ups exonerated and good cops get railroaded in NPs small agency. CCSO is a double dose ditto of problematic leadership.

Where are the checks and balances to the Sheriff's power? I get, he is elected and thus it lies with the voter but how can the public truly vet from the outside? Thus, the power goes unchecked and those in power circle the wagons to preserve their reign and the sacrifices begin.

Is it all just simply.. absolute power, corrupts absolutely?

[Unregistered]

[Regarding Kurt Hoffman] I do not know all of the circumstances on any IAs from CCSO and failing a polygraph, big deal they are not even allowed in a court of law. I never had faith in polygraphs anyway. Now 20 to 30years later Im sure he's proven himself over and over I have seen Mr Hoffman in many different environments, SAO,College Professor and now I believe he will be a Great SHERIFF. Mr Hoffman has the experience, knowledge and background and is currently in a very high staff position. I just believe he has proven to be the qualified and suited for the position. I believe He will do just fine as the next SHERIFF. That is just my .02

I do believe Mr Fern is a hard working person as well. However in charge of a multi million dollar agency? I just do not know if Mr Fern could function in that setting. Maybe he could and will prove me wrong. He has great potential but I believe more is needed.

That's a good point. However, after Kurt Hoffman failed the polygraph, then he admitted to committing multiple misdemeanor and felony thefts, over the course of several years. Thus, you don't believe in polygraph results, but do you believe in confessions? And even more importantly, Hoffman lied until he was caught.

Today, internal allegations from deputies, of a continuing pattern of unethical behavior continue to surface, while Hoffman is in uniform, from then until now. Here is an important question: Today, will Kurt Hoffman lie until he is officially caught? We will find out.

[Unregistered]

My interactions with SSO over the past years have been nothing but exemplary. The single political interview I caught with Col Hoffman so far, he hit alot of the notes that I wanted to hear. He spoke on his views about coping with the Mentally Ill and CIT trainings surrounding such. As a FT caregiver for an adult MI son, I am looking for all the help I can get there. I know it aint easy for any of us, most especially cops. I absolutely appreciate the three SSO deputies that were there for Joe and I when we needed help.

I do wish I could wholly reject some of the things in this thread but I cant.. actually much of it is way familiar. I have seen screw ups exonerated and good cops get railroaded in NPs small agency. CCSO is a double dose ditto of problematic leadership.

Where are the checks and balances to the Sheriff's power? I get, he is elected and thus it lies with the voter but how can the public truly vet from the outside? Thus, the power goes unchecked and those in power circle the wagons to preserve their reign and the sacrifices begin.

Is it all just simply.. absolute power, corrupts absolutely?

In a normal setting, the State Attorney's Office would act, to an extent, as the "checks and balances to the Sheriff's power" as you asked. However, that would require the State Attorney's Office to operate as a separate independent agency and that is not the way that it is around here. The State Attorney's Office and the Sheriff's Office in Sarasota County might as well be operating as one entity, and that is what makes this so scary. Yes, both agencies should essentially be working towards the same goal, however the State Attorney's Office should not be taking action to benefit the Sheriff's Office and the Sheriff's Office should not be taking action to benefit the State Attorney's Office. These agencies should be working side by side, albeit independently, in order for the system to work. The system does not work here. We need a new Sheriff and we need a new State Attorney. Paul Fern has my vote for Sheriff, and the new candidate and former ASA Lisa Chittaro has my vote for State Attorney. We need change around here, Knight/Hoffman/Brodsky all need to go and the new administrations need to clean house from the top down in both agencies.

[Unregistered]

What 3 questions would you ask each of the Sheriff candidates?

This article shows that Kurt Hoffman did not tell the truth until after he was caught lying:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VFg...ew?usp=sharing

should it matter that if the thefts took place last week last month or 30 years ago the fact is the man swore to uphold and enforce the very acts he committed. What would happen to ANY deputy if they rolled up to 17th st pumps and filled their personal car up with [government owned] gas? We all know the real answer. Kurt stole and then lied about stealing it until he was caught. Now he wants to be the number 1 law enforcement official in the county. It doesn't seem right that he should have that opportunity at all. You take an oath to enforce the laws and to commit the offense not once not twice but 3 times if you include the stealing of herbicide as well. The lead detective in that investigation said it best "a leopard doesnt change his spots" Mr Hoffman is deceitful

That should be one of the questions for Stephanie Gibson, if she is willing to receive it.

If Kurt Hoffman can justify (to himself or to others) why he stole CCSO gas while he was wearing a Reserve CCSO uniform, then can SSO deputies justify stealing SSO gas from the 17th Street pumps? If I am low on gas in my personal car, then can I justify:
a. stealing SSO gas?
b. taking SSO gas?
c. borrowing SSO gas without ever paying for it?

[Unregistered]

I do believe Mr Fern is a hard working person as well. However in charge of a multi million dollar agency? I just do not know if Mr Fern could function in that setting.

Former Sheriff Geoff Monge (Ret.) worked as a humble shoe salesman, and he was able to successfully run a multi-million dollar agency because honesty and integrity trumps pomp, prestige and deceit. People want more than anything else someone who is honest to be in charge of a multi-million dollar tax-based budget at the Sarasota Sheriff's Office.

People don't want someone with criminal tendencies. Kurt Hoffman displays his law degree as "the ticket" for him to automatically be accepted by people. However, we see in the media that lawyers are getting disbarred all the time for being unethical, so having a law degree is not a ticket to be punched as proof of ethical conduct. It is not proof, although it does qualify someone to practice law. Does Kurt Hoffman have unethical tenancies? You alone will make your personal decision. It is what it is.

Thieves never do things in the open, but they do it in secret, without the expectation of getting caught. That's what makes it so bad. That's just the way it works. The Bible says that he who is a thief with little things is also a thief with bigger things. Bible thumpers can click here to read it.

[Unregistered]

I will not meet with Paul Fern, nor will I publicly endorse him, nor fund his campaign, but conversely, there is not one single allegation or innuendo inference against him for being unethical or criminal. There is not one titillating shred of evidence from official records, nor from the rumor mill, alleging that Paul Fern is unethical, unprofessional, nor having any thievery tendencies whatsoever, involving personal gain.

The vast majority of complaints about Kurt Hoffman's unethical "tendencies" arise exclusively from those who work with him in law enforcement. That says a lot. The truth may or may not prevail publicly, but of one thing I'm certain, Kurt Hoffman will never be elected to be the next sheriff of Sarasota County.

[Unregistered]

Ok Fux sake! I am so sick of people saying that "Paul can't run a multi million dollar organization". If you say that you prove your ignorance about how the agency's day to day operations take place. Do you think that the sheriff is down stairs balancing the quick books? Do you think that the sheriff is cutting checks and checking the bank account daily? There are people in place that are professionals in every trade to to make sure those things are taken care of. The Sheriff is briefed regularly about what he should and should not do with money. He takes advice from highly trained staff members from the civilian world, i.e. accountants, lawyers, HR professionals, and auto mechanics. You think the Sheriff is out shopping for police cars and guns? Come on people be real. The guy was dam state trooper from Venice. He is no rocket scientist. If he can do it anyone can and if you think you can't get more confidence in yourself.

Ronald Reagan was an actor before he was put in charge of one of the largest states in the US. He was a efin actor bro! The biggest thing Reagan ever did was act as the president of the Screen Actors Guild. Lots of experience running multi million dollar budgets. Sheriff Mike Scott never made it past Spokesperson. He worked for Crime stoppers. Then he was elected Sheriff of Lee County. It's like some of you think that there is some magic happening up in Knight's office that only he can do. Get some balls and quit being such a puss, anyone can do that job. It's not facebook. Speaking of which the creator of facebook had no experience running a multi million dollar company. Guess what he did? He hired people. Worked ok I think for all of them.

Speaking of Actors Kurt Hoffman is exactly that... an actor. He is no cop, he is a poser who is scared of his own shadow. How are men and women supposed to respect a common thief and scaredy cat as their sheriff? He talks a good game of talking points, but when push comes to shove this guy is a solid puss. Kurt will be pushed around by everyone in town who has a little money because he is scared. That is why he can't be Sheriff.

[Unregistered]

should it matter that if the thefts took place last week last month or 30 years ago the fact is the man swore to uphold and enforce the very acts he committed. What would happen to ANY deputy if they rolled up to 17th st pumps and filled their personal car up with gas. We all know the real answer. Kurt stole and then lied about stealing it until he was caught. Now he wants to be the number 1 law enforcement official in the county. It doesn't seem right that he should have that opportunity at all. You take an oath to enforce the laws and to commit the offense not once not twice but 3 times if you include the stealing of herbicide as well. The lead detective in that investigation said it best "a leopard doesnt change his spots" Mr Hoffman is deceitful

I agree with most of this,,, except, unless the employee was suing this administration, they WOULD NOT be fired, they would be ENCOURAGED to quit/retire. Remember Kurt doesn’t want ANY mention of unscrupulous or unethical behavior that might cast a negative light on the administration. They fear controversy on the MEDIA more than anything.

It’s right in the Supervisor manual....

Let’s not forget how many SERIOUS crimes KW participated in. Stealing pattol vehicles for personal use, months at a time, storing them at his home in Hillsborough County, stealing SO laptops to surf porn and use online dating sites.. plus plenty more.

Was he arrested? Was he fired? Did the media report on ANY of that?

Nope, NO SCANDALS here.... we run a clean shop and we “POLICE OUR OWN”.

lmao Kurt you should be ashamed

[Unregistered]

For those clinging to Kurt’s ball sac and pushing his phony campaign agenda and talking points, you continue to push the false narrative that Candidate Fern does not have leadership experience. You are completely incorrect. With that said, for a second I’ll play your game.

First, I would rather have someone with no experience than failed or disastrous experience at leadership. The captain of the Titanic had leadership experience to, but we all know how that turned out. The only thing Kurt has experience at leading is, leading employees down a miserable rabbit hole full of lies, misery, corruption and hostility.

Second, do not confuse “rank” with leadership. Just because someone may have climbed or begged their way up the chain of command and unjustly been appointed a “leadership” role does not mean they are any good at it or fit to lead even a Brownie troop.

Case in point, Charlie Kasper had been a Sergeant and a Lieutenant for many years, but at the end of his career he was still lazy, incompetent, and an unsafe blundering boob. He apparently felt comfortable enough with his obvious racist views to make a joke involving racism and police brutality in front of a county judge, a civilian, a deputy and 2 sergeants. (IA Case # 2013-56) His personal bias resulted in him immediately shooting down my request to start a program at Booker Elementary spend time with kids who were afraid of the police. Presented to him while I was at Booker elementary just after spending time with the Principal and after she waved to a young boy who was staring at me. She told me he was afraid of the police. I spent a minute or two talking to him and he left smiling.

Kasper was also extremely unsafe and had no regard or clue what was going on around him. One classic example (of many), he sent me a digi advising that he needed to get me with me. I sent him a response advising my location in Beverly Terrace. A few minutes later he pulled up along the the side of me. I was in a smaller, lower to the ground Chevy Impala, he was in a large Chevy Tahoe. He pulled up and said to me “hey, cool gun, is that yours, where’d you get it”. I cannot make this sh*t up, I swear to God. He KNOWS its the truth and I doubt now, that he will try and deny it.

The gun he was referring to was my AGENCY ISSUED RIFLE THAT I HAD SLUNG ACROSS MY LAP. Everyone knows or should know, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office does not allow personnel to carry their personal rifles, ergo, the rifle slung across my lap, was issued by the agency. I was actively engaged in a perimeter, and when he pulled along side of me, he completely blocked my view of K9 handler BB, his K9 and another deputy who were actively engaged in a track. They were searching for a wanted fugitive who was identified and spotted fleeing the scene by civil deputies. The fugitive was seen in possession of a handgun as he was fleeing the scene.

Kasper had no clue what I was on or what I was actively engaged in. Also, his BS meeting was nothing critical and nothing that couldn’t have waited a 1/2 an hour or realistically the day or more. This isn’t play time, this was an active and VERY LEGITIMATE and IMMEDIATE THREAT to the public and Sheriff’s Office personnel in the area. This is what you get when you put an incompetent paper pusher out on the road.

Don’t even ask me about the time a theft or robbery had just occurred and the suspect apparently literally ran right in front of his parked vehicle. He had NO idea what was going on until a deputy on the call rolled up to him and asked him if he saw anything.. huh, you know the robbery? Oh, maybe that was the guy that ran in front of my vehicle.

This is also the guy who flat out ORDERED me to stop checking warrants (meaning looking for bad guys to arrest that are wanted by law enforcement), as in part of the responsibilities of law enforcement and protecting the public. He ordered me to focus on issuing more traffic citations. Keep in mind, I almost always met or exceeded our monthly QUOTA snd Kasper even said so. He still wanted more. His explanation was “we don’t get credit for warrant arrests. That’s why we have a warrants unit.” Out of respect, I bit my tongue, very hard, because I wanted to remind him, by that logic, we (patrol) shouldn’t have to issue any citations because we have a Traffic Unit that outnumbers the warrants section 13 to 1.

Why pray tell, you ask, did Kasper push tickets so hard? Because he was competing with the opposite rotation day shift Lieutenant and wanted to impress the Sheriff. This administration doesn’t care about arrests, public or officer safety, they care about
1.) tickets which means more money for the agency
2.) making sure to cover-up any instances of even a whiff of controversy or misconduct
3.) getting re-elected

NEXT....

So the point is, don’t get hung up on “titles” or “leadership” experience. Character is more important than a title that someone never really earned and NEVER lived up to the responsibilities that go with said title.

[Unregistered]

My interactions with SSO over the past years have been nothing but exemplary. The single political interview I caught with Col Hoffman so far, he hit alot of the notes that I wanted to hear. He spoke on his views about coping with the Mentally Ill and CIT trainings surrounding such. As a FT caregiver for an adult MI son, I am looking for all the help I can get there. I know it aint easy for any of us, most especially cops. I absolutely appreciate the three SSO deputies that were there for Joe and I when we needed help.

I do wish I could wholly reject some of the things in this thread but I cant.. actually much of it is way familiar. I have seen screw ups exonerated and good cops get railroaded in NPs small agency. CCSO is a double dose ditto of problematic leadership.

Where are the checks and balances to the Sheriff's power? I get, he is elected and thus it lies with the voter but how can the public truly vet from the outside? Thus, the power goes unchecked and those in power circle the wagons to preserve their reign and the sacrifices begin.

Is it all just simply.. absolute power, corrupts absolutely?

Ms. Gibson,

You asked how the public can vet? They can’t, because the actor they see, hear about, read about and watch on the news/TV is just that, an actor. While the people on the inside actually get to see the little man behind the curtain, they are too afraid to go on the record and speak up.

They have too much to lose and have been imprinted like dogs to know exactly what happens to those who speak up or don’t tow the company lie, I mean line. They’ve seen first hand and personally experienced countless acts of retaliation, harassment and abuse of power. I cannot fault any of them for their silence, and I don’t think the public should either. The system is broken and it is stacked to favor corrupt leadership, who if feel threatened or slighted can ruin employees careers and lives. Employees with families and many years of service can’t afford risking the loss of their job or their pension.

All former SSO employees who were maligned by this administration and had their careers prematurely cut short. This is literally just off the top of my head.
Sergeant Chris Iorio, Captain Rick Matolla, Bill Pollock, Sean Lally, John Thomas, Drew Sweeney, Clint Bailey, Eric Stafford, Carson Plank, Jennifer Byrd, Shawn Keeffe (me)

As with HITLER, this administration made it CRYSTAL clear, do not embarrass the supreme leaders and also like HITLER, NEVER SPEAK POORLY ABOUT “the supreme leader”. Don’t forget, despite being pure evil, in order to rise to power Hitler had to be and was very charismatic and could charm people to get his way or to get people to do what he wanted to.

I personally believe Hitler and Nazi are used far too often and have lessened the impact of calling someone one of those names. However, I am NOT using them for dramatic effect. There is a very specific reason why I keep referring to Hitler in this an other posts. During the one on one interviews during the Sergeants promotional process, deputies were asked what their opinions of Hitler were.

I’m sure most of the deputies were like a deer in the headlights. After they gave their respective answers to the person conducting the interview, he replied how much he admired Hitler’s leadership style. This is NOT part of the rumor mill, this is NOT hearing this from a 3rd party who was a disgruntled employee, this was straight out of the mouth of one of the deputies who was asked this question. This was also, just after it happened , so no, “mr. Administration” you cant say that employee was disgruntled for not getting promoted or something similar. There was a group of us that heard it, so again this is not disgruntled employee making it all up. These are assuredly some of the BS tactics they will use to deny or discredit this accusation. Back in the day, they would have tried to threaten or discredit me, but I’m fairly certain, Kurt’s learned his lesson on that one. Kurt is most definitely afraid of the evidence he knows I have, but I am confident he rightfully terrified of possible evidence that he doesn’t know I have. When corrupt liars can’t control the narrative, spew lies about or leverage their victims/accusers, it is a completely different ball game. This one piece of the puzzle changes everything.

Your mind will be blown once I release the documentary I’ve been working on. When you see how many of Hitler’s leadership traits this administration has employed, it will be undeniable that they were using tactics right out Hitler’s playbook.

I’m sorry to hear about your personal struggles with the healthcare system and your sons health issues. What I can tell you is Kurt Hoffman is a politician, NOT a cop, so he will tell you whatever you want to hear. He doesn’t give a damn about CIT for citizens or his own employees, in fact their Hitler like mentality actually condemned one of their own instead of helping him. My guess is someone fro the Sheriff’s Office or Kurts campaign will be conducting background checks on you in an attempt to leverage/threaten you or reaching out to you to offer you money or “assistance” in an effort to buy your silence.

While I truly hope this isn’t the case and you continue your search for the truth and help expose them for what they really are, I personally wouldn’t fault you if you did take any assistance. You have to do what’s best for you and your family..

This administration is pure evil.

Godspeed
Sincerely,
Shawn Keeffe