Deal to avoid Lunsford lawsuit in jeopardy

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Deal to avoid Lunsford lawsuit in jeopardy

By Times Staff Writer
In print: Thursday, March 27, 2008

Sheriff Jeff Dawsy offered to sit down and talk to Lunsford about improving policies for finding missing children only if Lunsford agrees to drop the potential lawsuit.

[STEPHEN J. CODDINGTON | Times]

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A potential resolution to the threat of a lawsuit from Mark Lunsford against the Citrus County Sheriff's Office appears to be dissolving into a pitched public relations battle.

The Sheriff's Office released a letter from a mediating attorney Wednesday in which Sheriff Jeff Dawsy offered to sit down and talk to Lunsford about improving policies for finding missing children only if Lunsford agrees to drop the potential lawsuit. The letter gave Lunsford until 5 p.m. Friday to respond.

Lunsford's attorney, Eric Block, said he is unwilling to comply with those terms, which he deemed absurd. By day's end, Block responded with a counter offer: Meet 1 p.m. Friday at his firm's offices in Jacksonville. If the sheriff agrees to acknowledge mistakes in the investigation, they won't seek damages in a civil claim. Block said he was angered the sheriff would released normally privileged settlement negotiations and did not want to comment further.

A spokeswoman for the Sheriff's Office said it had not received notice about a potential meeting. The back-and-forth, done largely through the media, left the situation unresolved.

Comments on this article

by Dawn	Mar 28, 2008 1:42 PM
Block is right not to drop the suit. I was asked to sign off on something and assured if I changed my mind they would follow through...guess what....they lied. So no I wouldn't have a good faith issue in this it's too important.

by DAwn	Mar 28, 2008 1:34 PM
JoJo my children are all adults. I based that on my own dealing with the police. I was lied to regarding a case with them and have been left with zero confidence. Don't attack my parenting unless you personally know me. You have nothing to say.

by cancer	Mar 28, 2008 7:52 AM
Mark, you gave up a good reputation for doing good, to this mess you created. Drop out of sight dude. You are wrong with this law suit, sober up my friend.

by Tim	Mar 27, 2008 7:09 PM
Why doesn't this guy sue those INITIALLY responsible -- HIS PARENTS -- for leaving the door unlocked!!! Get real, Mark.

by Sue	Mar 27, 2008 6:28 PM
From the day that beautiful child went missing, my husband and I watched in horror as the events unfolded. I remember vividly the law enforcement officers at press conference with tears running down their faces. What a kick in the teeth.

by Linda	Mar 27, 2008 5:36 PM
No matter what you think of him,He has forced politicians to protect YOUR CHILDREN. What do you think that is worth??

by darryl	Mar 27, 2008 5:25 PM
I really feel bad for the little girl,but I called this a long time ago,and every other reader was bashing me.Just read the old blogs.I Like what bubba is doing on his radio show.I know a lot of people dont like him,but he is doing it for the people.

by Courtney	Mar 27, 2008 3:13 PM
Um this is the kinda guy that gives americans a bad reputation with other countries. hes just making money off his daughters death. how pathetic. yes, what happened to your daughter is really tragic sir, but lets not punish all the tax payers here.

by jojo	Mar 27, 2008 3:00 PM
DAwn, some people don't protect their children....As in Mark Lunsford. Either you accept responsibility for their safety or you don't. I happen to accept that responsibility, apparently you and Lunsford don't. Partying all night is not

by Dave	Mar 27, 2008 2:57 PM
Nice suit he has on, who paid for his wardrobe? Again, lets play the blame game. Want to fix this, then execute pedophiles instead of letting them loose. Until then, know who your neighbors are and take the necessary precautions.

by Dawn	Mar 27, 2008 2:57 PM
First of all when is Lunsford going to apologize for boozing it up when he should have been home raising his daughter instead of leaving that responsibility to his parents. The guy is a blood sucking leech. He should be offering thanks not threats.

by Chuck	Mar 27, 2008 2:14 PM
It seems Mr. Lunsford (and his greedy lawyer) have decided to blame the state of FL for the loss of his daughter, and plan to capitalize on that by making money the easy way, taking it from FL taxpayers.

by Jim	Mar 27, 2008 1:50 PM
He should sue Bubba for slander. If you broadcast emails and calls without checking the validity, you are slandering a mans character.

by Diane	Mar 27, 2008 9:21 AM
He should let it go.

by DAwn	Mar 27, 2008 9:09 AM
Mr.Lunsford is right to stick to his guns. He should not drop anything until the sherriff meets with him. Personally I would file anyway. We don't protect children in FL, we give it lip service.

by Tom	Mar 27, 2008 9:03 AM
I would not deal with the grease ball,he has been liveing off the puplic long enough. He and that blood sucking lawer are out to milk the taxpayer more.