Alachua

Jury Awards $15 Million in Discrimination Suit to Alachua County Sergeant Denied Promotion Amidst Claims of Racial Bias and Retaliation

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Gainesville, FL — A Florida jury awarded $15 million to Alachua County Sergeant Kevin Davis on Friday following his victory in a lawsuit against the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office for race-based discrimination and retaliation. The verdict included compensations for emotional distress and lost wages after the jury found that Davis was denied promotions due to his race and subsequently faced retaliation for voicing his grievances. The significant financial award is designed to address the mental suffering Davis experienced, exceeding the $3 million to $8 million his attorneys initially sought. The jury, comprising six white members, … Read more

Alachua County Deputy Wins $15.1 Million in Landmark Racial Discrimination Lawsuit

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A substantial $15 million was awarded by an Alachua County jury to Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Davis after allegations of racial discrimination and retaliation within the promotion practices of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. The jury concluded that racial bias played a decisive role in denying Davis’ promotion, marking a significant verdict in a case spotlighting workplace discrimination issues. Davis’ legal battle began when he accused the Sheriff’s Office of overlooking him for promotions due to his race, and retaliating against him when he sought to challenge these injustices. The jury’s findings supported … Read more

Former Alachua County Judge Passes Away, Leaving a Void in the Judicial System

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Judge Walter Green, a former Alachua County judge, passed away on Tuesday, according to officials from the State Attorney’s Office. Green had served in his role with the Eighth Judicial Circuit for nearly two decades before retiring in December. His decision to retire was driven by a desire to spend more time with his family. The news of Green’s death leaves a vacancy that the members of the Eighth Judicial Circuit nominating commission are currently seeking to fill. During his tenure as a judge, Green played a significant role in the Alachua … Read more

Alachua County Jury Awards $7.5 Million to Family of Bobby Hopkins Jr., Victim of Fatal Shooting at Local Car Wash

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Gainesville, Florida – An Alachua County jury has awarded $7.5 million to the family of Bobby Hopkins Jr., who was fatally shot at the Swamp Car Wash in May 2021. The verdict was reached on Wednesday. The Hopkins family filed a lawsuit against the car wash in 2022, claiming that the owners should have implemented better customer protection measures due to the presence of violence in the surrounding neighborhood. The lawsuit argued that the car wash should have installed security cameras, a fence, and a gate to safeguard customers from criminal activity. However, Kokomo Key … Read more