HERNANDO – After Commissioner Jeff Holcomb’s scathing condemnation of his fellow Board Member’s attempt vote on County Administrator Leonard Sossamon’s contract extension, there are unofficial reports that the board has decided to withdraw the motion from today’s agenda.
Holcomb called the move “an outrageous attack on Hernando Citizens,” “…a sleazy political game,” and “…a slap in the face to taxpayers and voters.”
Commissioner Candidate Jimmy Lodato also disagreed with the move but further stated that Sossamon should only hold one position and not double-up as Hernando County’s Economic Developer. Lodato didn’t have anything negative to say about Sossamon’s job performance but he believes that the jobs should be separate full-time positions.
Commissioner James Adkins had a little more bite to his response regarding Holcomb’s reprimand, stating “Holcomb is a lame brain and as an Intelligence Officer in the Navy, he should have better knowledge of the process.” Adkins says if Sossamon’s extension is confirmed it can always be reversed by the newly elected Board. Either way, Adkins explains, Sossamon will only receive a 4-month severance package if the Board decides not to retain his services as County Administrator.
Sossamon tells RNRF “I don’t care if the vote takes place today or after the election.” Sossamon disagrees with Lodato and says he thinks he’s done a pretty good job in bringing jobs to the county. Sossamon says he helped bring Barrette Outdoor Living, formerly Alumiguard, Surge Suppression, and Premier Pharmacy to the county. Between the three companies Sossamon says 88 new jobs have been created and Premier Pharmacy is planning an 11,000 square foot expansion that should bring an additional 22 jobs.
But the entire debacle appears to be a moot point, as the vote will most likely be postponed until after the November election.
ORIGINAL REPORT: COMM. SAYS VOTE TO EXTEND ADMIN’S CONTRACT “…AN OUTRAGEOUS ATTACK ON HERNANDO CITIZENS”
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Nothing against Leonard sossaman, just the board of idiot self serving commissioners. Voters, remember these clowns and they couldn’t manage a good fart.
Good assessment of the board. If they aren’t corrupt (?) they have to be the biggest dummies in the county. We can definitely do better.
Adkins moved to Brooksville from the impoverished and backward village of West Hamlin,West VA (population 700 at the time) at the age of ten. After he barely squeaked through High School and graduated from Hernando High, he entered the Air Force and twisted wrenches on the ground for a while. Must have been really humiliating, sitting in a pool of grease,playing with a box of wrenches in the hangar while one’s superiors roar skyward in supersonic jets.Jim Adkins: a true rocket scientist at work, though.As it was during the Vietnam era, he likely was drafted involuntarily because,after insulting Holcomb (and the uniform) and calling him a lamebrain we voters would be surprised if he actually patriotically volunteered. After his stint with the USAF, he then ran home to Brooksville, mama and the network. Before running for commissioner the only things of any note that he did was to be active with the local Farm Bureau and an unknown advisory board for Seniors,as if a grease monkey can advise seniors and farmers on their issues. Oh…and he twisted wrenches again as a certified auto mechanic.And get this…he’s a WELDER too! Wow! I’ll bet the voters just keeled over dead when they heard about that lofty qualification! Finally Adkins worked with the Brooksville Fire Department (BFD…yeah,the acronym fits.BFD) taking a full thirteen years to rise from a hose jockey to chief.Absolutely meteoric! Not. (you can rise from entry level to chief of ANYTHING in Brooksville in thirteen years.) After just thirteen years he suspiciously ‘retired’ from that organization… Is he drawing a pension? If so, that’s jacked up. Presently Adkins is picking the public purse for a full $60,000 PLUS benefits per year for being repugnant and disrespectful to our service members in uniform! HCBOCC meetings occur twice monthly and last just a few hours. Does he really DESERVE this money? For these insults and this rotten attitude towards OUR military service members out there fighting the war on terror? What does this poorly-educated ‘leader’ of the free world do when he’s not on the clock, ‘working’ for us and bullying his peers? Go fishing? On a boat WE bought for him? Who’s this guy think he is? It’s just downright pitiful and degrading to ALL of us residents of Hernando County to be represented by such an under qualified individual. Not one college or University credit to his name,either,it would appear from his bio. At the very least he should be demonstrating RESPECT for the uniform. Commissioner Holcomb is serving and putting his life on the line while Adkins can do nothing but sit behind his bully pulpit, nice and safe, and hurl insults.Holcomb has at least a Master’s degree and Adkins…FEARS him. Plain and simple. A good defense is always a strong offense.ALL of them fear him because he doesn’t ‘play ball’…He’s not rotten to the core. He’s not self-promoting and is not trying to enrich himself. Holcomb is a decent man with scruples and it’s obvious to all what this is really about!
Now who’s the LAMEBRAIN,Commissioner Adkins?
Adkins owes Holcomb an apology…and we, the taxpayers and voters owe him NOTHING MORE.
Adkins and Dukes, both former firemen, have manipulated our fire department into a $42 million a year ambulance service. Seventy five percent of the activity is routine ambulance transfers, reimbursed by insurance companies. Privatization could save the county as much as half the $42 million.
Joe Blow, you owe an apology to grease monkeys. They are hard working individuals who provide a necessary service to society.
Granted…as long as they do NOT insult the uniform.
Less time typing and spend more time reading and comprehending what you read. He never insulted the uniform just the guy. Here for your better reading comprehension is what was n the article.
“Holcomb is a lame brain <<<< calls him a lamebrain and as an Intelligence Officer in the Navy, he should have better knowledge of the process" < how is this insulting the uniform ??
You are a moron and probably never served other than guys in the bus station.
Why don’t you sign you comment Gary Schraut AKA Joe Blow?
Shame on you Mr. Adkins & the rest of the clowns who call themselves representatives of the people of Hernando County. Attempting to pull off this contract extension 1 1/2 years ahead of a current in force contract is criminal. The only thing this board knows how to do is spend our money and raise taxes in the name of the often used children, schools and roads. All a SCAM!
Can’t piss the money out the window any faster, can they?
Even if Adkins’ response is forthright and Sossamon would be handed the same severance regardless of when the decision is made, this still doesn’t explain why the commission would put it on the agenda now and not wait for the incoming board. I’ve not been a fan of Holcomb but have the utmost respect for our soldiers, sailors and Marines - I have thought that Adkins was a decent guy until reading his carelessly chosen insulting words.
“Lamebrain”…This is the best choice of words you can come up with, Jim? You make a lot of money for someone with those expressive limitations.
The bottom line is the extension of this contract for just shy of $200,000 a year is fiscally irresponsible of. The BOCC.
I find it so very interesting that those who have no logical argument, or legitimate input, revert to name calling and disparaging remarks about individuals on a personal basis. Attack, if you will, their stances on policy, but when you have to rely on personal attacks you prove that you have no true grasp of the issues.
I imagine you are referring to Adkins since he was the first to fire the personal attack shot. That would be the logical assumption.
I would like to thank RNRF for informing Hernando County residents of this intolerable situation. My husband attended the BOCC meeting today to voice his opinion. I am sure if he was able, as a retired disabled naval veteran, would have rebuked Adkins commentary. Thank you Joe Blow for your post. We will remember this come election day.
I am so disgusted. Not only do we have to put up with Nicholson and his disgusting display of partisan politics. Nicholson once attacked me in an email when I told him he should not make such comments about the other political party, he called me certain names. But karma comes around and I relished the news of his hooker and his taxi service to purchase drugs. For a commissioner to attack another commissioner, one that will bravely serve our country, is just wrong.
Maybe Adkins should look in a mirror before he calls anyone a lame brain.
I thank Mr. HOLCOMB’S SACRIFICES FOR THIS COUNTRY!! ADKINS HAS HIS RIGHT UNDER THE CONSTITUTION TO SAY WHAT HE WANTS. WITH THAT SAID , I THINK HE IS A REAL JERK AND AM SURE THE MIRROR SHATTERED WHEN HE LOOK ED INTO IT. Some people have NO SHAME and certainly no conscious . Shame on you Adkins shame on you!!!!
Vote ’em all out! And while you’re doing that, vote YES on Amendment 2.
And you all really need to ask Dukes, Nicholson, Rowden and Sossoman how they accomplish so much (kidding) for taxpayers while their travel agent gets rich, ask them! The travel agent is really running Hernando county!
I’ve been watching Barnett. At one point he was claiming to be a lobbyist but isn’t registered and I understand he was soliciting bribes for a commissioner. So the bribes must have been good. He got $50K for the use of “follow the Mermaid Tail,” then we never used it. His name seems to be involved in everything Sossamon.
No one in this county should make 200k per year. I bet you that 200k does not include his benefits package , insurance, vacations, car allowance, gas card, and not to mention his retirement package. It’s called loaded rate, it adds about 40 percent to his annual salary.
Not to mention the County Commissioner’s 66k salary for a part time job. Sign me up for that program, but then again I have morals and I refuse to make deals with the devil so never mind.
Mr Adkins comments are very sad when you consider Mr. Holcomb runs towards danger to do his duty and Mr Adkins lives in Alabama so he can collect a check and shirk his duties. You just cannot make up this kind of stupid!
I wonder how much Adkins hands were greased this go around to call his fellow commissioner and equal counterpart a Lame Brain. Holcomb is the only commissioner that seems to care about the Hernando County citizens and has the county and citizens best interest in mind when calling out the dishonest, all for themselves and their bank accounts commissioners. This fiasco should be called The Three Stooges and the Grease Monkey commissioners show.
Pay attention to the ENTIRE history and facts? Gary Schraut and his cronies hate the BOCC and Soussamon because they took away their thiefdom of being in charge of the airport. If you recall that was the right thing to do, but when Gary and the gang began targeting the BOCC and Soussamon. Shraut, and his crew had complete control of cutting deals, the bank account etc., for the airport, and were not answerable to the citizens. So the BOCC voted that the BOCC should be in charge of that County asset. Again, that was the right thing to do. Holcomb who serves the same cronies that got him elected and that where fired from the airport is the only one who “doesn’t understand this”. Do your research on Gary Schraut (just a puppet) and the airport, follow the money to the now defunk Cortez Community Bank, the offshore account of 45mm etc., the side deals cut and documented. Like all these other “deals’ the airport was their own little money maker that is why they are mad and want new people elected to get all the power$ back for them.
I’d be glad to show you the county documents that hang Sossamon and his cronies. But I’m sure you have even better access than I. Still anytime you want to set down and discuss the case against the BOCC you are more than welcome.
Your understanding of the facts is a little distorted. Only one making off with the $ is “Travel Agent”! Who then disburses money to his Board of Directors (County Commissioners) and his CEO (Administrator Sossoman.
Sossoman tried to put a $15,000,000 mortgage on the Brooksville Tampa Bay Regional Airport so his Travel Agent and large campaign contributor could make a huge profit. Sossoman is now being sued personally for his failure and alleged frauds at the Airport.
We heard Gary Schraut at a BOCC meeting 3 years ago ask for an FDLE investigation, it was Dukes, Nicholson, Rowden and Sossoman who did not want the investigation.
It is well documented that the only people violating county ordinances and Airport Policy’s & procedures for their own personal gain was Dukes, Nicholson, Rowden and Sossoman. Read the lawsuit!!!!
So, who are you covering up for? Travel Agent? How come you refuse to discuss the lawsuit, or the $66,000 Lien against TAS (Mr. Sossoman’s $300K failed experiment at the airport) or the $50,000 the Travel agent got paid from Hernando BOCC with taxpayer $’s for a website that does not work, never worked…and coincidentally the travel agent got paid right after the travel agent got the BOCC to make Sossoman Economic Development director with a big Raise I might add! You act like you know so much and your comments reveal how little you really do know. Be careful when becoming a parakeet for Rowden’s…….your tweets are loud…and very hollow. Forget the fraud, forget the lawsuits, forget the liens, forget Sossoman trrying to put a $15 Million mortgage on the airport so Travel Agent could get a commission…forget all the illegal lobbying fees ( payoffs) to Travel agent…blame Gary Schraut…yes…I was mistaken, this cannot be Diane..It must be Jay Rowden taking time off from defending Hillary!
Johnny T you must be Diane Rowden. Everything you say is such a fallacy. Everything the Aviation Authority did was subject to approval of BOCC , but Diane you already know that and spreading more lies about Mr Schraut shows how low you will go to Protect the Travel Agent. This county is for sale and all you do is pay Rowdens, Dukes, Sossoman and Nicholsons Travel Agent.
You figured it out, Dianne Rowden, perfect! Yes everything was subject to the BOCC but the cronies ran the show through puppet Schraut. But Schraut kept getting in his typical fights with everyone that tried to do business.. remember the lawsuits and suspension? Yet the cronies kept him propped up, so much that he actually thought he was somebody. Anyone who meets Schraut knows he couldn’t be the brains behind any of this. By the way… If you had your “eye on Hernando” you would also know that Nicholson is not a travel agent, whatever another fact you wouldn’t want to be burdened with. xoxo Dianne
He was referring to your buddy, Barnett. You didn’t graduate from Hernando Schools. What’s your excuse for illiteracy?
Diane, you know who your Travel Agent is! He is the one Sossoman sends economic leads to telling the leads they must pay Travel Gent $15,000 to get there projects approved…..Diane, is this $15k split with administrator and commissioners?
You all want to shadow box volunteers and make up nonsense while 3 commissioners and the administrator sell this county down the river, all for the benefit of the travel agent!
Fine, Nicholson is a travel agent splitting $15k blah blah blah. Now back to the topic that you are trying to obfuscate… Schraut and the cronies. Don’t forget all the business Schraut cost the county as head of authority, law suits, lost business, fines, suspensions, not to mention the standard “ghetto-schraut” drama. Search, Gary Schraut airport Hernando. Or, I will make it very simple for you, read SPtimes article titled Criminal record follows grant contender Published March 23, 2004. This lays what was the beginning of the airport thief-dom. Make note of all of the cronies named that benefited $$ by the very large mouthed puppet as head of authority. I am sure all of that lost income would be very helpful in paying off a $50mm IRS debt right about now.
Jay, you know every bit of this is a lie. Schraut was sued because Sossoman got a tenant to file a lawsuit. The very same tenant he helped to try an violate policy and procedures at the Airport, yes, the administrator violated policies, it was in the paper. That tenant is now in Foreclosure at the airport. From what I understand Schraut has paid an attorney for 3 years to try to get these people who sued him into court and they will not come. See thats the truth, Sossoman gets someone to file a suit and then they get GREAT Press from Hernando Times…..and nothing happens!! Nothing happened, yup, truth hurts!!! . As someone who works with Airport Tenants I am familiar with Schraut and the Aviation Authority creating hundreds upon hundreds of jobs with the BOCC at the Airport, what lost opportunities at the Airport are you referring too and be specific. You seem to have a wealth of knowledge trapped inside, ask your handler to let you speak freely…..call the Travel Agent and gets his input. Perhaps he is talking about that $15,000,000 mortgage that he (Travel Agent) Sossoman and Rowden tried to get on the Airport property. That was a huge fee that the Travel Agent lost and it probably led to the Authority being banned…but rest assured it had nothign to do with lost business or lawsuits. This Airport was the #1 General Aviation Airport in the State of Florida…until Sossoman took it over! My guess is he has already lost over $1,000,000 at the airport but thats just heresay, it could be higher…but rest assured, the Travel Agent always GETS HIS FEE!!!
PS: Here is a copy of the lawsuit thats is being passed around on the Internet because media sources and Hernando County do NOT want you to see it.
Now just because someone is being sued, does not mean there guilty but Nixon and CLinton got impeached because of the coverups!!!!
In addition this lawsuit names 3 commissioners and an administrator “Personally”. Which means the fraud they may have committed may have been done to benefit themselves.
Note on a sideline, members of CJS were contacted by the Travel Agent and according those members, Travel Agent was given their confidential information so he could solicit their business, Travel Agent got the information from Leonard Sossoman. Enjoy the reading material.
Filing # 44456733 E-Filed 07/26/2016 05:22:48 PM
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF HERNANDO COUNTY, FIFTH JUDICIAL COURT OF FLORIDA
HERNANDO COUNTY,
Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant
vs. CASE NO.: H-27-2014-CA-1862
CORPORATE JET SOLUTIONS, INC.,
Defendant/Counter-Plaintiff,
CORPORATE JET SOLUTIONS, INC.’S MOTION FOR LEAVE
TO AMEND COUNTER-COMPLAINT AND ADD PARTY DEFENDANTS
Defendant/Counter-Plaintiff CORPORATE JET SOLUlf IONS, INC. (“CJS”), by and through its undersigned counsel and pursuant to Floriela Rules of Civil Procedure 1.190 and 1.250, hereby requests leave to amend its Third Amended Counter-Complaint to add additional claims and party defendants, and in support thereof states as follows:
1. On September 17, 2015, CJS filed its Verified Third Amended Counter- Complaint against Hernando County, asserting olaims for (i) breach of the leases, (ii) promissory estoppel, and (iii) fraud in the inducement.
2. On October 15, 2015, the County filed a Motion to Dismiss CJS’s Verified Third Amended Counter-Complaint, in part attacking the validity of CJS’s claim for fraud in the inducement. This Court denied the County’s Motion to Dismiss on April 6, 2016.
3. Thereafter, on June 6, 2016, the County filed a partial Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings, once again attacking the validity of CJS’s claim for fraud in the inducement. This Court also denied the County’s Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings on July 6, 2016.
4. CJS seeks to file a Fourth Amended Counter-Complaint in order to address and clarify some of the issues raised in the County’s prior motions in an effort to prevent the necessity of similar motions being filed by the County in the future. CJS also seeks to file a
Electronically Filed Hernando Case # 1400186!CXAA 07/26/2016 05:22:48 PM
Fourth Amended Counter-Complaint to join several necessary and proper party defendants to ensure that the conclusion of this matter results in a final determination regarding the factual circumstances of this case.
5. Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.190(a) provides that leave to amend a pleading “shall be given freely when justice so requires.” Moreover, “[t]he public policy of Florida is to freely allow amendment of pleadings,” Carter v. Ferrell, 666 So. 2d 556, 557 (Fla. 2d DCA 1995), and the ‘”[r]efusal to allow amendment of a pleading constitutes an abuse of discretion unless it clearly appears that allowing the amendment would prejudice the opposing party; the privilege to amend has been abused; or amendment would be futile.”‘ Video Independent Medical Examination, Inc. v. City of Weston, 792 So. 2d 680, 681 (Fla. 4th DCA 2001) (quoting Spradley v. Stick, 622 So. 2d 610, 613 (Fla. 1st DCA 1993)).
6. No party will be prejudiced by the granting of this Motion. The case is not on the Court’s trial calendar, and the discovery deadline has not yet passed.
7. A copy of CJS’s Fourth Amended Counter-Complaint 1s attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and fully incorporated herein by reference.
WHEREFORE, Defendant/Counter-Plaintiff CORPORATE JET SOLUTIONS, INC. respectfully requests that its Fourth Amended Counter-Complaint attached hereto as Exhibit “A” be deemed filed as of the date hereof, together with an award of such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper.
[Signature block to appear on thefollowing page]
Dated: July 26, 2016. Respectfully submitted,
THE BLEAKLEY BAVOL LAW FIRM
/s/ f} *R v
J. Ronald Denman, Esq. FBN 0863475 Christina C. Hebert, Esq. FBN 0065005 15170 North Florida Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33613
Telephone: (813) 221-3759
Facsimile: (813) 221-3198 rdenman<ZDblcaklevbavol.com chebert<Zllbleaklcybavol.com
Co-Counselfor Defendant/Counter-Plaintiff
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing was electronically filed through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal to Joseph R. Flood, Jr., Esquire at ifiood(Zi),drrnl- law.com, i udy (Zil drml-law.com and Robert Allen Morris, Esquire, at service(Zi),morrislg.com; rnichellc(ZD.morrislg.com on this 26th day of July, 2016 .
/s/ fj *R v Attorney
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF HERNANDO COUNTY, FIFTH JUDICIAL COURT OF FLORIDA
HERNANDO COUNTY, Plaintiff/ Counter-Defendant
vs.
CORPORATE JET SOLUTIONS, INC.,
Defendant/Counter-Plaintiff,
CASE NO.: H-27-2014-CA-1862
FOURTH AMENDED COUNTER-COMPLAINT
COMES NOW, Corporate Jet Solutions, Inc., by and through its undersigned attorney and files its Fourth Amended G:ounter-Complaint against Hernando County, Wayne Dukes, individually, Diane Rowden, individually, Nick Nicholson, individually, and Leonard Sossamon, individually, as follows:
JURISDICTIONAL FACTS
1. Corporate Jet Solutions, Inc., is a for-profit Florida Corporation licensed to do business in the state of Florida (hereinafter "CJS"). CJS provides maintenance and aviation fuel to large commercial jet and propeller airplanes.
2. Hernando County is the governing body of Hernando County, a political subdivision of the State of Florida (hereinafter, the "County"). The County is the owner of real
property situated within its county borders which at all times material to this cause leases portions of its lands to private entities and persons who wish to do business at or near the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport and Technology Center (the "Airport").
3. Wayne Dukes is, and at all material times in the counter-complaint was, an individual residing in Hernando County, Florida, and is otherwise sui Juris.
4. Diane Rowden is, and at all material times in the counter-complaint was, an individual residing in Hernando County, Florida, and is otherwise sui Juris.
5. Nick Nicholson is, and at all material times in the counter-complaint was, an individual residing in Hernando County, Florida, and is otherwise sui Juris.
6. Leonard Sossamon is, and all material times in this counter-complaint was, an individual residing in Hernando Count , Florida, and is otherwise sui Juris.
7. All material facts alleged within this Counter-Complaint occurred in Hernando County, Florida and conc e ned leased real property in Hernando County, Florida.
FACTS UPON WHICH REQUESTED RELIEF IS BASED
8. The County advertised on its website an available for lease aviation facility ideal for an aircraft charter service; maintenance, repair and overhaul operation; aviation manufacturer or supplier; and fixed based operator ("FBO"). Included in this advertisement were certain specifications regarding the hangar at 15421 Technology Drive (the "Main Hangar"), which included representations that the Main Hangar door was 30 feet tall and 125 feet wide. A copy of the relevant portions of the advertisement is attached as CJS Composite Exhibit "A" and is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in haec verba.
9. In response to the solicitation of hangar space available at the Airport, CJS contacted the County and inquired about the opportunity being solicited. On April 26, 2013, CJS
delivered to the Airport Administrative Office a proposal to operate its business at the Airport (the "CJS Proposal").
10. Hernando County Aviation Authority (hereinafter referred to as "HCAA") is an advisory board appointed by the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners ("HCBCC").
11. On May 9, 2013, CJS presented its Proposal to the HCAA at its monthly meeting.
12. At a special public meeting of the HCBCC held on June 14, 2013, CJS made a presentation of its intent to fulfill its business plan at the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Airport (FAA designated abbreviation: BKV) and seek approval by the County of its business plan. Present at this meeting were County Commissioners Wayne Dukes, Diane Rowden, and Nick Nicholson, as well as County Administrator Leonard Sossamon.
13. As part of tlie agenda, written leases were submitted by the County staff for
consideration. While the HCBCC approved the submitted written leases, it instructed staff, including Administrato Sossamon, not to bring the issue back to the board, and for staff to work out any remaining details. Before staff received its instructions from HCBCC at the public meeting, CJS advised the HCBCC that there were still many details of the lease to work out due to the physical conditions of the Main Hangar space.
14. After advising the HCBCC of the remammg details regarding the physical condition of the Main Hangar Space, CJS was assured by the HCBCC that the County would uphold its end of the bargain and do everything it needed to do to address CJS' concerns and finalize the leases.
15. The HCBCC charged County Administrator Leonard Sossamon with this task, and directed that Sossamon be involved in negotiating the final details regarding the leases and
the physical condition of the Main Hangar space due to his prior experience in developing airports. Mr. Sossamon accepted this directive, and went on record describing his prior experience in building and developing another airport.
16. At the meeting Mr. Sossamon also represented that the fuel facility at the Main Hangar space would be fully functional prior to the beginning of the CJS leases.
17. As a result of meetings with the HCAA, the HCBCC, the Airport Manager and the County Administrator, two (2) commercial leases were negotiated with CJS. Following the County's approval of the business plan prepared by CJS, and approval of the County to enter into two separate leases, the leases were recorded in the public records in and for Hernando County
Florida.
18. The Aviation Lease A'greement fo Commercial Aviation Services ("Lease for the Main Hangar and FBO") located at 15421 Technology Drive was recorded in Hernando County Official Records at Book 3030, Page 1422 and includes a punch list of items to be repaired by the <£ounty (hereinafter, he "Punch List"). County Administrator Leonard Sossamon and County Commissioner Nick Nicholson were both present at the meeting where the signing of the Lease for the Main Hangar and FBO took place. At the meeting, County Administrator Leonard Sossamon represented that the Punch List was to be a part of the Lease for the Main Hangar and FBO, which is reflected in the inclusion of the Punch List in the official copy of the lease recorded in the Hernando County public records.
19. The Corporate Hangar Lease Agreement ("Small Hangar Lease") for the 6,000 square foot hangar located at 16308 Flight Path Drive was also recorded in Hernando County Official Records at Book 3030, Page 1405.
20. A copy of the Lease for the Main Hangar and FBO and the Small Hangar Lease (hereinafter, the "Leases") are attached as CJS Composite Exhibit "B" and incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in haec verba.
COUNT I BREACH OF THE LEASES
21. This is a cause of action for breach of the aforementioned Leases resulting in monetary damages to CJS in excess of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00).
22. CJS realleges the facts contained within paragraphs one (1) through twenty (20) herein as if set forth in haec verba.
23. After the Leases were executed and CJS had moved onto the property, the County made attempts to cure certain of the items on the Punch List.
24. These corrective attempts were ineffective and incomplete and CJS continued to be damaged by the failure of the County to complete and correct the items listed on the Punch List.
25. The Punch List items included, but were not limited to, erosion around the entrance to the hangar at the FBO Center, and safety and legal compliance problems with the fuel farm, preventing CJS from fully utilizing the leased premises and limiting its fuel sales while in possession of the leased premises. Additionally, the erosion around the Main Hangar prevented CJS from bringing aircraft into the Main Hangar due to the jetporter hanging up in the depression while attempting to move aircraft in and out of the Main Hangar. Further, moving the aircraft into the Main Hangar could damage any aircraft being maneuvered into the Main Hangar and thus preventing CJS from fully utilizing the leased space.
26. At all times material to this lawsuit, Minimum Operating Standards were adopted by the County for the Airport. These standards were in place from its inception on May 13, 2004
and beyond the time period that CJS occupied the leased premises. The Minimum Operating Standards for Fixed Base Operators at the Airport is found under Part VI-Subpart A-Fixed Based Operators. A copy of this section is attached as CJS Composite Exhibit "C" and is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in haec verba.
27. Section 3.b. of Part VI-SUBPART A, found at page 10 reads as follows:
b. Each FBO shall have and maintain at least one metered and filter-equipped Aircraft Fuel Dispenser, as approved by all governmental authorities having jurisdiction, for dispensing 100-octane or greater Aviation Fuel from an approved above ground storage tanks having a minimum capacity of 10,000 gallons.
28. The fuel farm assigned to CJS under the Leases contained three (3) fuel storage tanks. Two of the three storage tanks were dedicated to jet aviation fuel by its specific required piping for such fuel. These two tarucs were 10,000 gallons and 12,000 gallons respectively. The third storage fuel tank was only 4,000 gallons and dedicated to AVGAS fuel due to its specific required piping for such fuel. AVGAS fuel is an aviation fuel used in piston reciprocating airplane engines, which fuel is rated at low lead 100 octane. All three tanks were owned by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental Health and allowed to be used by the County.
29. The condition of these three fuel tanks and the attached parts to utilize the tanks ("the piping") made them unusable and dangerous. Further, the existing tanks had a combination of ferrous metal piping and stainless steel piping, as opposed to the industry standard of using only stainless steel piping.
30. Despite many requests to the County to repair said tanks, the tanks remained unsuitable for use for several months. Further, CJS was never permitted to use a tank that
complied with the Minimum Operating Standards of Hernando County, thereby denying CJS of the full benefit of its Leases.
31. During CJS's occupancy of the premises, the county-owned telephone system and the CJS-owned electronic equipment suffered damage due to lightning strikes. The leased hangers did not have any protection from lightning strikes. The County was required to keep and maintain the structure of the building (See Article 7 of the Main Hangar Lease) and repair any damage without unreasonable delay (See Article 16 of the Main Hangar Lease) the County failed to make said repairs within a reasonable time.
32. CJS retained Wilson Technology Group, Inc., to determine the causation of the damages initially caused by lightning, but to a1so determine if there were other causes which led to the disruption of business to CJS. A copy of said report from Wilson Technology Group, Inc. is attached as CJS Composite Exhibit "D" and is incoqiorated herein by reference as if set forth in haec verba.
33. JS, wliile occupying the leased premises, noticed that the Main Hangar door would only open to one hundred and nine feet (109') when it was designed to open for one hundred twenty-nine feet (129'). Further, the smaller hangar door would not open fully due to a malfunctioning m0tor. CJS notified the County of these structural defects but the repairs to these defects were never made.
34. To service the fueling of aircraft at the leased premises, a fuel truck was required to drive from the fuel farm to the aircraft by accessing an electronic gate. This gate was malfunctioning for most of the occupancy by CJS. During periods of the gate malfunctioning, CJS was forced to drive its fuel trucks over unpaved and unsafe terrain to aircraft it serviced.
35. CJS continued to inform the County of its failure to complete the Punch List items and to bring the leased property into compliance with the Leases as well as the County's failure to comply with the County Code and other statutory building regulations. Copies of some of the written notifications to the County are attached as CJS Composite Exhibit "E" and are incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in haec verba.
36. In reliance on the County's affirmative representations that it would complete to the satisfaction of CJS the Punch List items and related malfunctions to the structures of the leased premises, CJS paid rent until it was apparent that no further work related to the Punch List and other malfunctions to the structures were going to be completed.
37. CJS consequently stopped paying rent to the County in August of 2014 pursuant to the Lease term which stated that if ,ihe Punoh List items were not completed within thirty (30) days from the execution of tlie Leases, there would be no further "cost or obligation." A copy of said page of the Lease which was recorded in Hernando County Official Record Book 3030 Page 1448 is attached hereto as CJS Composite Exhibit "F" and is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth •n haec verba.
38. County Commissioner Wayne Dukes met with CJS on behalf of the County between 1:00 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. on October 7, 2014 to discuss the aforementioned issues, and at that meeting Commissioner Dukes represented himself as having full authority to bind the County.
39. Mr. Dukes, as County Commissioner and Leonard Sossamon, as County Administrator acted as agents for the County and agreed to the following resolutions including, but not limited to:
a. As to the tank, CJS would install its purchased fuel tank, the cost of which would be a set-off from CJS's Lease payments. The estimated cost of the installed tank was approximately $30,000.00.
b. As to the damages of the lightning strike, the estimated cost to repair the County's telephone system, defective grounding and other service equipment would be an additional $30,000.00 of which the County would either repair or have repaired at its expense.
c. The County was to perform repairs at its expense to the asphalt floors going into the entrance of the Main Hangar and correct the deficiencies in the Main Hangar door.
d. The County would create a new road at its expense for fuel trucks to give better access to service aircraft and jet aircraft for fueling due to the malfunctioning gate.
40. On or about November 6, 2014, despite the resolutions between the parties, the County, through the Airport Manager, served a 3-day eviction demand letter upon CJS (the "Letter"), the Letter is attached hereto as CJS Exhibit "G" and incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in haec verba.
41. As a showing of good faith, CJS deposited the sum of $32,864.16 into the Registry of this Court in the County Court action filed by the County to be held pending further order of this Court.
42. It became apparent to CJS that the County was not going to honor its commitment or obligations under the Leases to cure the deficiencies identified by CJS subsequent to the signing of the Leases as well as the deficiencies named in the Punch List portion of the Lease, and that CJS could no longer maintain its business at the location without suffering significant damages to its business and reputation. As a result of the County's breaches, CJS was effectively forced to vacate the premises.
43. On December 17, 2014, CJS through its attorneys sent a Notice of Termination of the two subject Leases pursuant to Paragraph 2D of the Leases. Said Notice was delivered to the
County on December 19, 2014. A copy of the Notice and return receipt is attached as CJS Composite Exhibit "H" and made a part herein as if set forth in haec verba.
44. The aforementioned Notice of Termination stated that CJS would vacate the premises under both Leases by 11:59 pm on December 31, 2014. As a result of receiving the Letter, the County conducted a walk-through with CJS on December 31, 2014 to verify the condition of the premises as well as verify the departure of CJS.
45. On January 8, 2015, the County sent a letter to CJS that confirmed that the leased property was left in satisfactory condition by CJS. This letter is attached as CJS Exhibit "I" and made a part herein as if set forth in haec verba.
46. As a result of the above-described breaches an failure b¥ the County to abide by the terms of the Leases, CJS has suffered damages, including but not limited to loss of rent payments made, cost of repairs, relocation expenses, loss of business opportunities in the past and in the future, and lost profits in the past and in the future.
WHEREFORE, CJS prays for judgment against the County for damages, costs, and all other remedies available under Florida law.
COUNT II PROMISSORY ESTOPPEL
47. This is a cause of action for promissory estoppel resulting in monetary damages to CJS in excess of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00).
48. CJS realleges the facts contained within paragraphs one (1) through twenty (20) herein as if set forth in haec verba.
49. CJS gave notice to the Chief Financial Officer for the State of Florida, Jeff Atwater, and the County of its Notice of Intent to file various torts for damages to CJS. A copy
of said Notice and proof of service is attached as CJS Composite Exhibit "J" and 1s incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in haec verba.
50. At all times material to this lawsuit, Minimum Operating Standards were adopted by the County for the Airport. These standards were in place from its inception on May 13, 2004 and beyond the time period that CJS occupied the leased premises. The Minimum Operating Standards for Fixed Base Operators at the Airport is found under PART VI-SUBPART A-Fixed Based Operators. A copy of this section has been previously attached as CJS Composite Exhibit "C".
51. Section 3.b. of Part VI-SUBPART A, found at page 10 reads as follows:
b. Each FBO shall have and maintain at least one metered and filter-equipped Aircra t Fuel Dispenser, as approved by all governmental authorities having jurisdiction, for dispensing 100-octane or greater Aviation Fuel from an approved above ground storage tanks having a minimum capacity of 10,000 gallons.
52. The fuel farm assigned to CUS 11nder the Lease contained three (3) fuel storage tanks. Two (2) of he three storage tanks were dedicated to jet aviation fuel by its specific required piping for suoh fuel. These two tanks were 10,000 gallons and 12,000 gallons respectively. Jet Aviation Fuel is used in turbine engines and is not rated in octane. This fuel is basically diesel fuel which is refined twice to remove excess water so that the fuel will not freeze at high altitudes. The third storage fuel tank was only 4,000 gallons and dedicated to AVGAS fuel due to its specific required piping for such fuel. AVGAS fuel is an aviation fuel used in piston reciprocating airplane engines and which fuel is rated at low lead 100 octane.
53. When CJS moved into the leased premises and after the execution of the Leases, the Airport Manager at the time, Don Silvemell, informed CJS that the 4,000 gallon tank did not meet the minimum operating procedures of the Airport, and that the tank would have to be
replaced to meet the Minimum Operating Standards of the County. Further, the County did not advise CJS that the fuel farm tanks had previously failed inspection by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental Health.
54. After the departure of Don Silvemell, CJS continued its discussions about deficiencies with the leased premises with Mr. Dukes, as County Commissioner; Leonard Sossamon, as County Administrator; and Kevin Daughtery, as Airport Manager. Mr. Dukes and Mr. Sossamon, acting as agents for the County, agreed to the following resolutions including, but not limited to:
a. As to the tank, CJS would install its purchased fuel tank, the cost of which would be a set-off from CJS's Lease payments. The estimated cost of the installed tank was app oximately $30,000.00.
b. As to the damages o the lightning strike, the estimated cost to repair the County's telephone system, defective grounding anti other service equipment would be an additional $30,000.00 of which the County would either repair or have repaired at its expense.
c. The County was to perform repairs at its expense to the asphalt floors goi g into the entrance o the Main Hangar and correct the deficiencies in the- Main Hangar door.
d. The County would create a new road at its expense for fuel trucks to giye better access to service aircraft and jet aircraft for fueling due to the ma1functioning gate.
55. After CJS signed the Leases, between approximately July 2013 and February 2014, County Commissioner Rowden also repeatedly informed CJS representatives that the issues with the leased premises outlined in the Punch List contained within the Lease for the Main Hangar and FBO would be addressed by the County. Commissioner Rowden repeatedly followed up with Administrator Sossamon in that regard.
56. County Commissioner Nicholson also visited the leased premises closely after the Leases were executed to examine the premises and the flooding/drainage issues associated
therewith. At that time, Nicholson represented to CJS representatives that he would see to it that the drainage issues related to the premises and the fuel farm would be remedied by the County. Nicholson also assured CJS that the problems with the fuel system would be remedied.
57. In reliance upon the position of non-compliance of the Minimum Operating Standards of the fuel farm and the other representations by the aforementioned representatives of the County, CJS advised the County that it was purchasing a 15,000 gallon fuel tank to be dedicated to AVGAS fuel only. Additionally, CJS made the decision to remain on the premises in reliance of the promises made by the County.
58. It was reasonable for CJS to rely upon the representations by the County agents and officials and it was reasonably foreseeable to the County that CJS would rely upon its representations, inducing CJS to act upon those promises and/or to forebear taking action of terminating the Lease based upon those promises made by the County.
59. CJS detrimentally relied up0n the representations by agents of the County by purchasing the 15,000 gallon fuel tank and remaining on the premises.
60. Subsequent to C!TS's purchase of the new tank, the County changed its interpretation of the Minimum Operating Standards for the Airport and in particular the standards related to the size of the fuel tank. This new interpretation was that the existing 4,000 gallon tank complied with the Minimum Operating Standards, contrary to the plain language and customary meaning of cited operating standards as well as the previous statements by County officials.
61. Further, all of the promises of correcting the structural deficiencies by the County at its expense at the leased premises, including but not limited to the hangar doors, non-operating hangar door motors, water intrusion issues, depression entrance issues, new road for the fuel
farm and the allowing of the installation of the new fuel tank purchased by CJS into the fuel farm leased by CJS, were cancelled.
62. Injustice can be avoided in this instance only by enforcement of the promises made by the County.
63. As a result of the County's failure to abide by its promises, CJS has suffered damages, including but not limited to loss of rent payments made, cost of repairs, relocation expenses, loss of business opportunities in the past and in the future, and lost profits in the past and in the future.
WHEREFORE , CJS prays for judgment against the County for damages, costs, and all
other remedies available under Florida law.
COUN'E III
FRAUD IN THE INDUCEMENT
(as to the County)
64. This is a cause of action for fraud i the inducement resulting m monetary damages to CJS in excess of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00).
65. CJS realleges the facts contained within paragraphs one (1) through twenty (20) herein as if set forth in hac verba.
66. CJS gave notice to the Chief Financial Officer for the State of Florida, Jeff Atwater and the County of its Notice oflntent to file various torts for damages to CJS. A copy of said Notice and proof of service has been previously attached as CJS Composite Exhibit "J."
67. The County, through its authorized representatives acting in their representative capacities, made numerous false statements of material fact in June 2013 (while CJS was seeking approval and negotiating the Leases) to fraudulently induce CJS to enter into the Leases. The County's false statements of material fact include, but are not limited to:
a. Commissioner Rowden's representation that the County would fulfill its obligations with regards to the Leases and the leased premises in order to ease (and remedy) CJS' concerns regarding the neglected condition of the leased premises.
b. Administrator Sossamon's representation that the email associated with the Punch List of deficiencies would be part of the Lease. These three pages were recorded in the Public Records of Hernando County by the County and have been previously attached as CJS Composite Exhibit "F" and are incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in haec verba.
c. Administrator Sossamon's representation that the out-of-compliance fuel farm on the leased premises would be brought up to state and county code regulations within thirty (30) days.
d. Administrator Sossamon's representation that the enumerated deficiencies of the leased premises ou d be corrected within thirty
(30) days.
e. Administrator Sossamon's representation that the County would properly maintain the structures of the leased properties.
f. Commissioner Duke's re2re-sentation that the County would provide everything that was required of it to finalize the Leases (which necessarily included remedying CJS' concerns regarding the neglected condition of the leased premises).
68. The above-referenced facts contained in paragraph 67 were material to CJS in making its decision to enter into the Leases and move onto the premises.
69. The County representatives that made the above-referenced misrepresentations knew or should have known that they were false at the time they were made, and that the statements were made with the intention to induce CJS to enter into the Leases previously attached as Composite Exhibit "B."
70. CJS justifiably relied upon the above statements made by authorized representatives of the County.
71. When the County filed its eviction proceedings, it took for the first time the legal position that the three pages recorded (email and Punch List) with the Lease were not ever a part of the Lease. In addition to the County changing its legal position about the Punch List, and consistent with its gross misconduct at causing harm to CJS, the County sent notice of its eviction proceedings to the bank utilized by CJS.
72. As a result of its reasonable reliance on the County's material misrepresentations, CJS has suffered damages, including but not limited to loss of rent payments made, cost of repairs, relocation expenses, loss of business opportunities in the past and in the future, and lost profits in the past and in the future.
WHEREFORE, CJS prays for judgment against the County for damages, costs, and all
other remedies available under Florida law.
COUNT IV
NEG I:IGENT MISREPRESENTATION
73. This is a cause of action for negligent misrepresentation resulting in monetary damages to CJS in excess of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00).
74. CJS realleges the facts contained within paragraphs one (1) through twenty (20) herein as if set forth in haec verba.
75. CJS gave notice to the Chief Financial Officer for the State of Florida, Jeff Atwater and the County of its Notice oflntent to file various torts for damages to CJS. A copy of said Notice and proof of service has been previously attached as CJS Composite Exhibit "J."
76. The County, through its authorized representatives acting in their representative capacities, made numerous negligent misrepresentations of material fact in June 2013 (while CJS was seeking approval and negotiating the Leases). The County's representations include, but are not limited to:
a. Commissioner Rowden's representation that the County would fulfill its obligations with regards to the Leases and the leased premises in order to ease (and remedy) CJS' concerns regarding the neglected condition of the leased premises.
b. Administrator Sossamon's representation that the email associated with the Punch List of deficiencies would be part of the Lease. These three pages were recorded in the Public Records of Hernando County by the County and have been previously attached as CJS Composite Exhibit "F" and are incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in haec verba.
c. Administrator Sossamon's representation that the out-of-compliance fuel farm on the leased premises would be brought up to state and county code regulations within thirty (30) days.
d. Administrator Sossamon's representation that the enumerated deficiencies of the leased premises ou d be corrected within thirty
(30) days.
e. Administrator Sossamon's representation that the County would properly maintain the structures of the leased properties.
f. Commissioner Duke's re2re-sentation that the County would provide everything that was required of it to finalize the Leases (which necessarily included remedying CJS' concerns regarding the neglected condition of the leased premises).
77. The County, through its authorized representatives acting in their representative capacities, made additional negligent representations of material fact following the execution of the Leases. These additional misrepresentations include, but are not limited to:
a. Commissioner Dukes and Administrator Sossamon's representation that CJS would be permitted to install its purchased fuel tank and set off its cost from CJS' Lease payments (made in or around October 2014).
b. Commissioner Dukes and Administrator Sossamon's representation that the County would repair or have repaired at its expense the damages caused to the telephone system, defective grounding, and other service equipment caused by the lightning strike (made in or around October 2014).
c. Commissioner Dukes and Administrator Sossamon's representation that the County was to perform repairs at its expense to the asphalt floors going into the entrance of the Main Hangar and correct the deficiencies in the Main Hangar door (made in or around October 2014).
d. Commissioner Dukes and Administrator Sossamon's representation that the County would create a new road at its expense for fuel trucks to give better access to service aircraft and jet aircraft for fueling due to the malfunctioning gate (made in or around October 2014).
e. Commissioner Dukes' representation/directive to Sossamon to remedy the issues regarding the fuel tank and fuel farm (made in or around February 2014).
f. Commissioner Rowden's repeated representations that the problems complained of by CJS with regard to the Leased Premises, including but not limited those enumerated in the Punch: List, would be remedied by the County (made between approximately July 2013 and February 2014).
g. Commissioner Nicholson's representation that the drainage and flooding issues related to the tarmac, fuel farm, self-service fuel station, and building would be remedied by the County (made at site inspection soon after signing of Leases, in or around July 2013).
Commissioner Nicholson's representation that the problems associated
with the fuel farm would be remedied (made at site inspection soon after signing of Leases, in or around July 2013).
78. The County representatives that made the above-referenced misrepresentations were negligent in making the misrepresentations because they should have known that the misrepresentations were false.
79. The County intended that its representations would induce CJS to rely and act upon them.
80. CJS justifiably and detrimentally relied on the above misrepresentations made by representatives of the County by executing the Leases, making payments and improvements to
the leased premises, performing repairs to the leased premises, and remaining on the leased premises by declining to exercise its termination right.
81. As a result of its justifiable reliance on the County's negligent misrepresentations, CJS has suffered damages, including but not limited to loss of rent payments made, cost of repairs, relocation expenses, loss of business opportunities in the past and in the future, and lost profits in the past and in the future.
WHEREFORE , CJS prays for judgment against the County for damages, costs, and all
other remedies available under Florida law.
COUNT Y
FRAUD IN THE INDUCEMENT
(as to Leonard Sossoman)
82. This is a cause of action for fraud in the inducement resulting m monetary damages to CJS in excess of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00).
83. CJS realleges the facts contained within paragraphs one (1) through twenty (20) herein as if set forth in haec verba.
84. Xltematively, Leonard Sossamon, while acting within the scope of his employment as County Administrator, made several fraudulent statements of material fact to CJS in June 2013 (while CJS was seeking approval and negotiating the Leases) to induce CJS to enter into the Leases with the County. These material facts include, but are not limited to:
a. That the email associated with the Punch List of deficiencies would be part of the Lease. These three pages were recorded in the Public Records of Hernando County by the County and have been previously attached as CJS Composite Exhibit "F" and are incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in haec verba.
b. That the out-of-compliance fuel farm on the leased premises would be brought up to state and county code regulations within thirty (30) days.
c. That the enumerated deficiencies of the leased premises would be corrected within thirty (30) days.
d. That the County would properly maintain the structures of the leased properties.
85. The above-referenced fraudulent statements contained in paragraph 84 were material to CJS in making its decision to enter into the Leases and move onto the premises.
86. Administrator Sossamon knew or should have known that the fraudulent statements contained in paragraph 84 were false at the time they were made, and he made the statements with the intention to induce CJS to enter into the Leases previously attached as Composite Exhibit "B."
87. Additionally, the fraudulent statements/facts contained in paragraph 84 were made by County Administrator Leonard Sossamon in bad faith, recklessly, and with gross indifference to CJS, while within Sossamon's scope of employment as County Administrator and
representative of the County.
88. CJ justifiably relied on the above fraudulent statements made by Administrator Sossamon.
89. A:s a result of its reasonable reliance on Sossamon's fraudulent misrepresentation s, CJS has suffered damages, including but not limited to loss of rent payments made, cost of repairs, relocation expenses, loss of business opportunities in the past and in the future, and lost profits in the past and in the future.
WHEREFORE, CJS prays for judgment against Leonard Sossamon for damages, costs, and all other remedies available under Florida law.
COUNT VI
FRAUD IN THE INDUCEMENT
(as to Diane Rowden)
90. This is a cause of action for fraud in the inducement resulting m monetary damages to CJS in excess of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00).
91. CJS realleges the facts contained within paragraphs one (1) through twenty (20) herein as if set forth in haec verba.
92. Alternatively, Diane Rowden, while acting within the scope of her employment as County Commissioner, made fraudulent statements of material fact to CJS in June 2013 (while CJS was seeking approval and negotiating the Leases) to induce CJS to enter into the Leases with the County. Commissioner Rowden's fraudulent statements included, but are not limited to, her representation to CJS that the County would fulfill its obligations with regards to the Leases and the leased premises in order to ease (and remedy CJS' concerns regarding the neglected
condition of the leased premises.
93. The above-referenced fraudulent statement was material to CJS in making its decision to enter into the 1;eases and move onto the premises.
94. Commissioner Rowden knew or should have known that the fraudulent statement was false at the time it was made, and she made the statement with the intention to induce CJS to enter into the Leases previously attached as Composite Exhibit "B."
95. Additionally, the fraudulent statement/fact was made by County Commissioner Diane Rowden in bad faith, recklessly, and with gross indifference to CJS, while within Rowden' s scope of employment as County Commissioner and representative of the County.
96. CJS justifiably relied on the above fraudulent statement made by Commissioner Rowden.
97. As a result of its reasonable reliance on Rowden's fraudulent misrepresentation, CJS has suffered damages, including but not limited to loss of rent payments made, cost of repairs, relocation expenses, loss of business opportunities in the past and in the future, and lost profits in the past and in the future.
WHEREFORE , CJS prays for judgment against Diane Rowden for damages, costs, and all other remedies available under Florida law.
COUNT VII
FRAUD IN THE INDUCEMENT
(as to Wayne Dukes)
98. This is a cause of action for fraud in the inducement resulting m monetary damages to CJS in excess of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00).
99. CJS realleges the facts contained within paragraphs one (1 through twenty (20) herein as if set forth in haec verba.
100. Alternatively, Wayne Dukes, hile acting within the scope of his employment as County Commissioner, made fraudulent statements of material fact to CJS in June 2013 (while CJS was seeking approval and negotiating the Leases) to induce CJS to enter into the Leases with the County. CommissionefJ Dukes' fraudulent statements include, but are not limited to, his representation to G:JS that the County would provide everything that was required of it to finalize the Leases (which necessarily included remedying CJS' concerns regarding the neglected condition of the leased premises).
101. The above-referenced fraudulent statement was material to CJS in making its decision to enter into the Leases and move onto the premises.
102. Commissioner Dukes knew or should have known that the fraudulent statement was false at the time it was made, and he made the statement with the intention to induce CJS to enter into the Leases previously attached as Composite Exhibit "B."
103. Additionally, the fraudulent statement/fact was made by County Commissioner Wayne Dukes in bad faith, recklessly, and with gross indifference to CJS, while within Dukes' scope of employment as County Commissioner and representative of the County.
104. CJS justifiably relied on the above fraudulent statement made by Commissioner
Dukes.
105. As a result of its reasonable reliance on Duke's fraudulent misrepresentation, CJS has suffered damages, including but not limited to loss of rent payments made, cost of repairs, relocation expenses, loss of business opportunities in the past and in the future, and lost profits in the past and in the future.
WHEREFORE, CJS prays for judgment against Wayne Dukes for damages, costs, and all other remedies available under Florida law.
COUNT VIII FRAUD
(as to Leonard Sossoman)
106. This is a cause of action for fraud resulting in monetary damages to CJS in excess of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00).
107. CJS realleges the facts contained within paragraphs one (1) through twenty (20) herein as if set forth in haec verba.
108. Leonard Sossamon, while acting within the scope of his employment as County Administrator, made several additional fraudulent statements of material fact to CJS following
the execution of the Leases. These additional fraudulent statements include, but are not limited to:
a. Administrator Sossamon's representation that CJS would be permitted to install its purchased fuel tank and set-off its cost from CJS' Lease payments (made in or around October 2014).
b. Administrator Sossamon's representation that the County would repair or have repaired at its expense the damages caused to the telephone system, defective grounding, and other service equipment caused by the lightning strike (made in or around October 2014).
c. Administrator Sossamon's representation that the County was to perform repairs at its expense to the asphalt floors going into the entrance of the Main Hangar and correct the deficiencies in the Main Hangar door (made in or around October 2014).
d. Administrator Sossamon's representation that the County would create a new road at its expense for fuel trucks to give better access to service aircraft and jet aircraft for fueling due to the malfi nctioning gate (made in or around October 2014).
109. Sossamon knew that the statements contained in paragraph 108 were false at the time they were made. Additionally, the fraudulent statements/facts were made by Sossamon in bad faith, recklessly, and with gross indifference to CJS, while within Sossamon's scope of employment as County Administrator and representative of the County.
110. Sossamo intended that his representations would induce CJS to rely and act upon
them.
111. CJS justifiably relied on the above fraudulent statements made by Administrator Sossamon by making payments and improvements to the leased premises, performing repairs to the leased premises, and remaining on the leased premises by declining to exercise its termination right.
112. As a result of its reasonable reliance on the Sossamon's fraudulent misrepresentations, CJS has suffered damages, including but not limited to loss of rent payments
made, cost of repairs, relocation expenses, loss of business opportunities in the past and in the future, and lost profits in the past and in the future.
WHEREFORE, CJS prays for judgment against Leonard Sossamon for damages, costs, and all other remedies available under Florida law.
COUNT IX FRAUD
(as to Diane Rowden)
113. This is a cause of action for fraud resulting in monetary damages to CJS in excess of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00).
114. CJS realleges the facts contained within paragraphs one (1) through twenty (20)
herein as if set forth in haec verba.
115. Diane Rowden, while acting within the scope of her employment as County Commissioner, made numerous additional fraudulent statements of material fact to CJS following the execution of the Leases. These additionail fraudulent statements include, but are not limited to ommissioner Rowden's repeated representations that the problems complained of by CJS with regard to the Leased Premises, including but not limited those enumerated in the Punch List, would be remedied by the County (made between approximately July 2013 and February 2014).
116. Rowden knew that the above-referenced statements were false at the time they were made. Additionally, the fraudulent statements/facts were made by Rowden in bad faith, recklessly, and with gross indifference to CJS, while within Rowden's scope of employment as County Commissioner and representative of the County.
117. Rowden intended that her representations would induce CJS to rely and act upon
them.
118. CJS justifiably relied on the above fraudulent statements made by Commissioner Rowden by making payments and improvements to the leased premises, performing repairs to the leased premises, and remaining on the leased premises by declining to exercise its termination right.
119. As a result of its reasonable reliance on Rowden's fraudulent misrepresentations, CJS has suffered damages, including but not limited to loss of rent payments made, cost of repairs, relocation expenses, loss of business opportunities in the past and in the future, and lost profits in the past and in the future.
WHEREFORE, CJS prays for judgment against Diane Rowden for damages, costs, and all other remedies available under Florida law.
COUNT X FRAUD
(as to Wayne Dukes)
120. This is a cause of action for fraud resulting in monetary damages to CJS in excess of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00).
121. CJS realleges the facts contained within paragraphs one (1) through twenty (20) herein as if set forth in hac verba.
122. Wayne Dukes, while acting within the scope of his employment as County Commissioner, made several additional fraudulent statements of material fact to CJS following the execution of the Leases. These additional fraudulent statements include, but are not limited to:
a. Commissioner Dukes' representation that CJS would be permitted to install its purchased fuel tank and set-off its cost from CJS' Lease payments (made in or around October 2014).
b. Commissioner Dukes' representation that the County would repair or have repaired at its expense the damages caused to the telephone
system, defective grounding, and other service equipment caused by the lightning strike (made in or around October 2014).
c. Commissioner Dukes' representation that the County was to perform repairs at its expense to the asphalt floors going into the entrance of the Main Hangar and correct the deficiencies in the Main Hangar door (made in or around October 2014).
d. Commissioner Dukes' representation that the County would create a new road at its expense for fuel trucks to give better access to service aircraft and jet aircraft for fueling due to the malfunctioning gate (made in or around October 2014).
e. Commissioner Dukes' representation/directive to Sossamon to remedy the issues regarding the fuel tank and fuel farm (made in or around February 2014).
123. Duke knew that the statements contained in paragraph 122 were false at the time they were made. Additionally, the fraudulent statements/facts were made by Dukes in bad faith, recklessly, and with gross indifference to CJS, while within Duke's scope of employment as County Commissioner and representative of the County.
124. Dukes intended that his representations would induce CJS to rely and act upon
them.
125. CJS justifiably relied on the above fraudulent statements made by Commissioner Dukes by making payments and improvements to the leased premises, performing repairs to the leased premises, and remaining on the leased premises by declining to exercise its termination right.
126. As a result of its reasonable reliance on Dukes' fraudulent misrepresentations, CJS has suffered damages, including but not limited to loss of rent payments made, cost of repairs, relocation expenses, loss of business opportunities in the past and in the future, and lost profits in the past and in the future.
WHEREFORE, CJS prays for judgment against Wayne Dukes for damages, costs, and all other remedies available under Florida law.
COUNT XI FRAUD
(as to Nick Nicholson)
127. This is a cause of action for fraud resulting in monetary damages to CJS in excess of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00).
128. CJS realleges the facts contained within paragraphs one (1) through twenty (20) herein as if set forth in haec verba.
129. Nick Nicholson, while acting within the scope of his employment as County Commissioner, made several additional fraudulent statements of material fact to CJS following the execution of the Leases. These additional fraudulent statements include, but are not limited to:
a. Commissioner Nicholson's representation that the drainage and flooding issues related to the tarmac, fuel farm, self-service fuel station, and building would be remedied by the County (made at site inspection soon after signing of Leases, in or around July 2013).
b. Commissioner Nicholson's representation that the problems associated with the fuel farm would be remedied (made at site inspection soon after signing of Leases, in or around July 2013).
130. Nicholson knew that the statements contained in paragraph 129 were false at the time they were made. Additionally, the fraudulent statements/facts were made by Nicholson in bad faith, recklessly, and with gross indifference to CJS, while within Nicholson's scope of employment as County Commissioner and representative of the County.
131. Nicholson intended that his representations would induce CJS to rely and act upon
them.
132. CJS justifiably relied on the above fraudulent statements made by Commissioner Nicholson by making payments and improvements to the leased premises, performing repairs to the leased premises, and remaining on the leased premises by declining to exercise its termination right.
133. As a result of its reasonable reliance on Nicholson's fraudulent misrepresentations, CJS has suffered damages, including but not limited to loss of rent payments made, cost of repairs, relocation expenses, loss of business opportunities in the past and in the future, and lost profits in the past and in the future.
WHEREFORE, CJS prays for judgment against Nick Nicholson for damages, costs, and all other remedies available under Florida law.
Dated:
Respectfu1ly submitted,
THE BLEAKLEY BAVOL LAW FIRM
J. Ronald Denman, Esq. FBN 0863475 Christina C. Hebert, Esq. FBN 0065005 15170 North Florida Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33613
Telephone: (813) 221-3759
Facsimile: (813) 221-3198 rdenman«7)bleakl eybavol.com chebert(ii)bleakleybavol.com
Co-Counselfor Defendant/Counter-Plaintiff
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing was electronically filed through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal to Joseph R. Flood, Jr., Esquire at jflood (ii),drml- law.com, judyU:i{drml-law.com and Robert Allen Morris, Esquire, at service(a{morri slg.com; michelle@morri slg.com on this day of , 2016.
/s/ fj *R v
Attorney
OH THE IRONY!!!!
http://insurancenewsnet.com/oarticle/County-wont-pay-legal-fees-%5BHernando-Today-Brooksville-Fla%5D-a-408837
THE only one who sings the praises of Schraut is Schraut.. Useful Idiot Extraordinaire!!. Hahahaha!!!! Bye Felicia!!!
So, you agree with covering up the lawsuit ey Johnny T. Boy? Covering up for Administrator, covering up everything, TAS Fiasco etc. Figures, the one who accuses everyone else is usually the biggest liar of all ey Johnny T Boy!!!
The useful idiot who is no longer useful, is just another idiot. Living rent free in your head, all day everyday.
Self defacating humor, tough looking in the mirror and seeing yourself isn’t it Johnny T Boy!!!!
http://i.imgur.com/rj0o3FX.jpg
Johnny T boy u are just loaded with lies aren’t you. You working for Killary Clinton. I checked your legal fee claim. Obviously going back and watching the BOCC meeting is way above your dunce capacity. Hernando BOCC violated Supreme Court ruling (per county attorney) when they did not pay attorney fees. My guess Dunso, Hernando County will be paying Schrauts fees since the people dying him are losing thier property at the Airport to foreclosure …. Thank you for all your silly and stupid comments. Forced me to do some quick google searches and it was so easy to debunk you, what do you do for an encore? Wet your pants?
It would be a shame if the Citizens had to pay your legal fees because you couldn’t keep your nasty mouth shut.
http://i.imgur.com/rj0o3FX.jpg
So still going to cover up for Sossoman, the lawsuit, the $1,250,000 “PLUS”! lost at the Airport. The failed TAS fiasco, another $375,000 lost. And you worry about $25,000 in legal fees. Oviously you cannot read but County attorney has already made it clear that the County will be paying Schraut’s attorney fees as per supreme court ruling. So with that said, that last shot must have been your bed wetting. Say Good night Diane.
Ha, Yep…I’m still living rent free in your head… http://i.imgur.com/rj0o3FX.jpg