May 14, 2015

Three Florida Lawyers Working With Police Set Up Opposing Lawyer, For Drunk Driving Arrest




[From article]
In Campbell's telling, a version supported by the Florida Bar, he was set up by three lawyers and a paralegal from the firm of Adams & Diaco. Together, they conspired to have him arrested and removed from a multimillion-dollar defamation lawsuit against one of their clients, radio shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge Clem. At the time, Campbell was representing Clem's broadcast rival, Todd Schnitt.
The Bar has accused the lawyers — Stephen Diaco, Robert Adams and Adam Filthaut — of misconduct, among other professional violations. They face suspensions or possible disbarment if found guilty.
[. . .]
Minutes after he left the bar's parking lot in Personius' car, Campbell was pulled over by Tampa police Sgt. Ray Fernandez, a close family friend of attorney Filthaut's. Records later showed that the three Adams & Diaco lawyers and Personius had been exchanging texts and phone calls that night. Fernandez and Filthaut had also called each other repeatedly.
When Campbell refused to take a sobriety test, he was arrested, charged with DUI and taken to jail, where he stayed until 6 the following morning.
After an internal investigation, the Tampa Police Department fired Fernandez and the DUI charge against Campbell was dropped.
[. . .]
Minutes after he left the bar's parking lot in Personius' car, Campbell was pulled over by Tampa police Sgt. Ray Fernandez, a close family friend of attorney Filthaut's. Records later showed that the three Adams & Diaco lawyers and Personius had been exchanging texts and phone calls that night. Fernandez and Filthaut had also called each other repeatedly.
When Campbell refused to take a sobriety test, he was arrested, charged with DUI and taken to jail, where he stayed until 6 the following morning.
After an internal investigation, the Tampa Police Department fired Fernandez and the DUI charge against Campbell was dropped.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/civil/lawyer-takes-the-fifth-in-trial-over-dui-set-up-during-bubba-schnitt/2229303

Opposing lawyers spar in trial over DUI setup during Bubba vs. Schnitt lawsuit
Anna M. Phillips 
[Tampa Bay] Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 12, 2015 1:11pm

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