Published by the Florida Center for Government Accountability
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 stormwater crisis sparks major shakeup after public trust erodes
Sarasota County leaders voted Tuesday to create a separate stormwater department — breaking it off from Public Works — just days after a joint investigation …
Stormwater chief defends dredging permit and flood response, says he divided rainfall forecast by 3
By: Michael Barfield | Florida Trident and Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight Three days after a Florida Trident and Suncoast Searchlight investigation exposed critical mistakes …
Sarasota County officials downplayed flood risk. Tropical Storm Debby exposed their failures
By Michael Barfield of Florida Trident and Derek Gilliam of Suncoast Searchlight Tropical Storm Debby didn’t look like trouble. No hurricane-force winds. No mass evacuations. …
No emergency permit: Dredging of Phillippi Creek to wait another hurricane season
Phillippi Creek won’t be dredged this hurricane season, no emergency permit issued By Michael Barfield of Florida Trident and Josh Salman of Suncoast Searchlight For …
Commissioner Seeks to Profit from Land Donated to County for Conservation
Gifted lands created parks and preserves—now one Sarasota commissioner is pushing to rezone and sell part of it to himself In 1998, a family instrumental …
Delayed ID, missed arrest, downgraded charge: How Piccolo avoided jail for months
Fred Piccolo Jr., the former New College communications director accused multiple times of indecent exposure, avoided arrest for months due to identification delays, a missed …
Celebratory photo fuels scrutiny over $7.5M grant
UPDATE: April 22 2025 at 3:13 p.m. — After the publication of our original article below, the Sarasota County Commission voted 3-1 this morning to …
Sarasota City Manager Search Descends Into Chaos
What started as a routine city manager search unraveled into a public spectacle recently at Sarasota’s City Commission. The breakdown on Friday, April 11, played …
Developers Pulling Rank: How Power Plays Shape Sarasota County Decisions
Mega-developer Rex Jensen of Lakewood Ranch has built a reputation for getting his way—and pushing back hard when he doesn’t. Jensen, the CEO of Schroeder-Manatee …
New details emerge as Manatee families demand action on Debby flooding
For months, Manatee County officials have been sitting on key information — unknown to the public — that could answer questions about the severe flooding …
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 …