Michael Barfield
Director of Public Access & Lead Investigative Reporter
Michael Barfield is an investigative reporter and FLCGA’s director of public access. He regularly assists journalists across the country with collecting information and publishing news reports obtained from public records and other sources. He is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and Investigative Reporters & Editors.

Sarasota County halts massive Hi Hat Ranch land deal
The Sarasota County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday morning to stop work on a proposed agreement with Hi Hat Ranch, directing staff to cease further drafts …

Behind Closed Doors: Sarasota County’s contentious negotiations with a developer
Hi Hat Ranch, Sarasota County’s largest development project that will add over 13,000 homes east of I-75, recently moved forward with a controversial plan allowing …

Deadly Justice: How a preventable tragedy unfolded
Sarasota, FL — In the early hours of Saturday, May 18, 2024, a cascade of failures within the Florida criminal justice system led to a …

Lawsuit alleges former St. Lucie sheriff illegally spied on own commander with hidden cameras
A former commander at the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office claims in a lawsuit he was illegally surveilled in his office and then retaliated against …

Voters issue stunning rebuke to DeSantis and developers in Manatee and Sarasota races
The most notable losers in Tuesday’s primary elections in Manatee and Sarasota counties weren’t even on the ballot. Governor Ron DeSantis, GOP political consultant Anthony …

Residents uninformed of Lake Manatee dam risk before storm
As Tropical Storm Debby moved across Cuba Friday, Aug. 2, the National Hurricane Center warned of heavy rain and flooding along Florida’s west coast. “The …

Public official Moran spent $36,000 in taxpayers’ money on lavish travel, steak dinners, and booze
Sarasota County Commission chair Mike Moran has slashed funding for early learning and childcare programs, calling them “socialism.” Now running for county tax collector, his …

Zieglers sue to stop release of rape investigation records
Former Florida GOP chairman Christian Ziegler and his wife Bridget Ziegler, a Sarasota School Board Member and cofounder of the conservative group Moms for Liberty, …

State Attorney won’t prosecute Ziegler for video voyeurism
State prosecutors announced today that former Florida GOP chairman Christian Ziegler will not be criminally charged for videotaping an alleged sexual battery of a woman …

Ex-Florida GOP chair accused of rape told police he was more concerned about “PR” than facts of case
When Sarasota police detectives first interviewed Christian Ziegler after receiving a complaint from a woman accusing him of rape, he answered no questions, transcripts released …

Listen: Audio released of Moms for Liberty cofounder Bridget Ziegler’s police interview
The Sarasota Police Department today released the audio recording of its interview with Moms for Liberty cofounder and Sarasota County School Board Member Bridget Ziegler …

While touting “family values” agenda, the Zieglers were on the “hunt” for threesome partners, police report reveals
While Republican power couple Christian and Bridget Ziegler publicly pushed for “family values” and backed an agenda widely viewed as anti-LGBTQ, they were secretly on …