Special master receives death threat

Official recommended Israel’s reinstatement; Senate increases security for hearing

The special master who considered evidence about the suspension of Broward Sheriff Scott Israel, and recommended his reinstatement, has received a death threat.

As a result, enhanced security precautions will be put in place next week when the Florida Senate considers whether to reinstate Israel or uphold Gov. Ron DeSantis’ suspension.

The death threat and the enhanced security were first reported by Florida Politics.

Katie Betta, spokeswoman for Senate President Bill Galvano, disclosed the threat on Thursday. “Special Master Goodlette received a death threat,” she said via email.

The threat “was received not long after” Goodlette’s recommendation that the Senate reinstate Israel became publicly available, Betta said.

“President Galvano was made aware of the threat, which he considered to be very serious” and directed the Senate Sergeant at Arms to alert the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, so it could be investigated. Details of the threat haven’t been released.

An FDLE spokesman said “the investigation is active” and the agency is working with authorities in Collier County, where Goodlette lives.

“The Senate is coordinating with Capitol Police to ensure the safety of all visitors, staff and Senators attending meetings related to the special session. President Galvano has requested that enhanced security precautions and protocols, which are confidential, be in place for the proceedings,” Betta added.

Senators, who were already scheduled to be in Tallahassee next week to work on legislation for next year’s session, also will convene a special session to consider the Israel case.

It’s expected to be a high-tension, high-stakes week in Tallahassee.

The Rules Committee will hear a presentation from Goodlette, a lawyer and former legislator tapped by Galvano to hear evidence and make a recommendation on the Israel case.

At the time, Galvano praised Goodlette as being fair and impartial, an assessment that’s been echoed by other Republicans and Democrats.

The committee also will hear presentations from attorneys for DeSantis and Israel, along with comments from the public.

Dozens of people, maybe more, from Broward are expected to travel to Tallahassee for the proceedings, including the families of the 17 people killed and 17 wounded in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre.

DeSantis cited failures, which he attributed to Israel, involving the 2018 Parkland school shooting and the 2017 Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport shooting, when he suspended Israel as sheriff. DeSantis suspended Israel and appointed Gregory Tony as sheriff in January, just three days after he was sworn in as governor.

After reviewing evidence and

presiding over a hearing, Goodlette said DeSantis didn’t make a sufficient case to justify removing the elected sheriff.

A final decision is up to the Senate.

Nick Primrose, the deputy general counsel to DeSantis who argued the governor’s case before Goodlette – and didn’t convince

him – condemned the threat.

“As someone very much involved with the suspension and removal process, it pains me that he is receiving death threats. I wholly disagree with this report and recommendations, but I absolutely condemn any threat or act of violence against him,” Primrose wrote on Twitter.

Goodlette