Text messages from Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh are revealing a plan in 2021 to redistrict Perdido and reveal a possible violation of Florida's Sunshine Laws. According to the PNJ, on October 1st, 2021, Bergosh sent two text messages to David Bear, CEO of the Lewis Bear Company. One at 7:49 am reads "It would really be helpful if you could speak with Lumon about that of course don't tell me what he says lol". Another text a minute later says "And if you could speak with Steven that would be greatly appreciated but absolutely don't tell me what he says lol". Bergosh then sent an image showing his proposal for District 1, showing Perdido Key and Innerarity included. According to First Amendment attorney Jennifer Mansfield, an elected official cannot circumvent the Sunshine Law by using an intermediary to communicate with other members of the same board.
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