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PBSO to Web Operator Mark Dougan: We’re Coming For You!

Posted by , May 15, 2012 Print

Controversial web site operator and former Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Dougan has been told officially he is under criminal investigation and asked to talk with a sheriff’s investigator about the inner-working of his website, Gossip Extra has learned.

dougan pbsotalk investigation

Dougan

The year-old site, pbsotalk.com, has been politically damaging for Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, who is in a re-election campaign.

It publishes mainly public records showing what Dougan considers to be waste of taxpayers’ money at the sprawling agency. The site also allows the posting of often anonymous tips about unrest and strife within the agency, and criticism of Bradshaw and his right-hand man, Michael Gauger.

Dougan, a student pilot, has also organized the flying of banners calling Bradshaw a thief over SunFest and the recent nationally-televised Honda Classic golf tournament, a reference to the sheriff’s handling of his budget.

Last month, Bradshaw’s political campaign attempted to buy pbsotalk.com but balked at the price tag.

In a letter dated Monday, PBSO Internal Affairs investigator Mark Lewis admits to one of the worst-kept secrets in local law enforcement: That pbsotalk.com and Dougan are the targets of a criminal investigation!

Lewis’ letter doesn’t provide details but asks Dougan to make an appointment to visit PBSO headquarters on Gun Club Road.

“I would like to afford you the opportunity to come in and give me a statement,” Lewis’ letter reads. “If I do not hear from you within 10 days . . . I will consider that you are not interested in contacting me and give me a statement and move forward.”

It doesn’t appear at this point that Dougan, a former deputy, is interested in visiting his old employer.

“These are desperate times for Sheriff Bradshaw and his administration,” he said. “They have done everything . . . to silence a revolt within the agency and the deputies using my site as a conduit. They have resorted to personal attacks. They have engaged in threats and intimidation. They have destroyed a career and they have even tried to buy silence.

“They have no other valid course of action then to use the color of law against me to prove a point. Like each previously poorly-executed strategy, this will fail and have unintended consequences for the sheriff . . . When it makes it to court, having a jury will only result in six more people learning about my site and, therefore, the disgrace we have as a sheriff.”

The investigation already led to the arrest of former Internal Affairs Lt. Dean Johnson, who was ensnared in a sting operation set up to find whether he disclosed non-public information to Dougan and Gossip Extra.

While awaiting a resolution of the criminal case, Bradshaw took the unusual steps of suspending Johnson without pay, stripping him of his medical benefits and demoting him to sergeant.

Investigator Lewis didn’t return calls for comment and Bradshaw traditionally doesn’t comment on questions from news organization he perceives as inquisitive, including Gossip Extra.

Check Out Our Related Gossip:

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  3. Did State Attorney Attempt to Break Into Website?
  4. Sheriff Ric Bradshaw Cleared in Ethics Probe
  5. Sheriff Ric Bradshaw Critic Targeted in Arrest of Internal Affairs Lieutenant
  6. State Ethics Czars to Discuss Complaint Against Sheriff Ric Bradshaw Today

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5 Comments

  1. Internet Free Speech Cop Faces Trumped-Up Charges « medic343, 1 year ago Reply

    [...] PBSO to Web Operator Mark Dougan: We’re Coming For You! Posted by Jose Lambiet on May 15, 2012 Controversial web site operator and former Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Dougan has been told officially he is under criminal investigation and asked to talk with a sheriff’s investigator about the inner-working of his website, Gossip Extra has learned. [...]

  2. steve, 1 year ago Reply

    This is truly sad , as a tax payer I find it appalling to say the least , the waste of time , energy , and man power . If all that has been posted by Mr. Dugan’s website is false, why the great effort to silence him ? It appears Mr. Bradshaw and his administration are very nervous , especially since Bradshaw is seeking yet another term . It is also very apparent that the public , and even employees are taking notice and getting quite a eye opening education. It shall be very interesting to see what comes to the surface , and what irreversible damage it holds.

  3. Toni, 1 year ago Reply

    I find it interesting that Sheriff Bradshaw is using his office to personally intimidate a citizen. Is this Germany, China or Northern Korea? And, why is Bradshaw using public tax dollars to harass someone he doesn’t agree with – maybe he thinks he’s Hitler!

  4. Internet Free Speech Cop Faces Trumped-Up Charges, 11 months ago Reply

    [...] PBSO to Web Operator Mark Dougan: We’re Coming For You! Posted by Jose Lambiet on May 15, 2012 Controversial web site operator and former Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Dougan has been told officially he is under criminal investigation and asked to talk with a sheriff’s investigator about the inner-working of his website, Gossip Extra has learned. [...]

  5. Nicole, 5 months ago Reply

    Its to keep peoples Lives from being destroyed. The things he writes on that site, is destroying peoples lives. People start to believe it and stalk families, create problems for these people. All because people don’t know how to grow up. All they want is to stay Relevant in the PBSO lifestyle. Grow up people and please! Don’t throw stones when you live your own life in a glass house.


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