TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — The Florida Department of Corrections is accused of retaliating against a captain who says other guards hid their body cams while beating an inmate.
Michael Lunsford filed a complaint Sept. 15 in Leon County Circuit Court against the Florida Department of Corrections, alleging violation of the Florida Whistleblower Act and other claims.
Lunsford, according to his complaint, began working for the Florida Department of Corrections in October of 2010. He claims he faced retaliation for reporting unlawful activities including the tasing of a restrained inmate who allegedly had a weapon in his possession.
Striking and kicking of the inmate in the head was so severe that there was blood on the cell wall and bed, the suit says. The inmate, Delance Crockett, was hospitalized for five days, the suit adds.
"During his review of the camera footage, Plaintiff observed the agent, wearing the body camera, hitting the camera lens and another agent pointing at the camera as if to gesture that the indicator light for the body camera had turned on," the suit says.
"The agent wearing the body camera then walked away from the direction of the cell."
Lunsford further claims after reporting the incident, he faced reprimands without the opportunity to review the allegations against him and was threatened with demotion or a termination.
He alleges that as a result of the retaliation and harassment, he suffered mental health issues, loss of benefits and other damages.
Lunsford seeks monetary relief, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. He is represented by Marie Mattox of Marie Mattox A. Mattox PA in Tallahassee.
Leon County Circuit Court case number 2023-CA-002261