Florida to pay prison whistleblowers 800,000 to end lawsuit
TALLAHASSEE — Years after three prison investigators came forward with evidence of inmate abuse and cover-ups at the Florida Department of Corrections, the state has agreed to settle a retaliation lawsuit — and pay them $800,000.
The prison agency also agreed to end lawsuits by three other department whistleblowers, closing a chapter in what has been one of the most tumultuous eras in state prison history.
The agreement, filed in Leon County Circuit Court on Tuesday, exonerates investigators of the FDC inspector general's office, Doug Glisson, Aubrey Land and John Ulm, after they came forward with evidence that they believed an inmate at Franklin Correctional Institution, Randall Jordan-Aparo, had been gassed to death by prison guards. Jordan-Aparo's family has filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against the state.
The department listed Jordan-Aparo's death as from "natural causes" until the investigators started asking questions and found errors in the way the investigation was handled.
Read more: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/florida-to-pay-prison-whistleblowers-800000-to-end-lawsuit/2304498
