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.
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 …
Bridget Ziegler Contradicts Husband’s Story of Planned Threesome
New details have emerged in the now-closed sexual battery investigation of recently ousted Florida GOP chairman Christian Ziegler that contradict his claim a threesome involving …
Police Clear Ziegler of Rape, But Send Voyeurism Felony Case To Prosecutors
[UPDATE: The Sarasota Police Department issued a press release that confirms this story. Information from the release has been added below] The Sarasota Police Department …