Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 2-5-16 (2)

Feature
Parents Of Student Killed After Fair Files Lawsuit
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
The parents of a 14-year-old student killed in 2014 have filed a lawsuit. The student was hit and killed crossing In- terstate 4 after being ejected from the Florida State Fair- grounds. They are being repre- sented by Attorney Barry Cohen.
The lawsuit names the Florida State Fair, the Hills- borough County School Dis- trict, the Hillsborough County School Board, the Hillsbor- ough County Sheriff’s Office, and several deputies as defen- dants.
Andrew Joseph, III, was one of nearly 100 teenagers ejected from the Florida State Fairgrounds on “Students Day,” February 7, 2014. He died after being struck by a car as he attempted to cross Inter- state 4.
His parents, Andrew and Deanna Joseph, II, stated that they were never contacted after their son was ejected. The death of the teenager sparked controversy and forced offi- cials to make changes in the
MR. AND MRS. ANDREW (DEANNA) JOSEPH, II
manner in which juveniles are handled while at the fair.
The lawsuit states that Joseph was an honor student who did not have a criminal record and was not associated with any gang or other crimi- nally associated group “and in all respects, to the contrary, a model citizen, talented football player and outstanding stu- dent.”
The lawsuit, which is seek- ing more than $15,000 in damages and attorney’s fees allege that Joseph was “... il- legally taken into custody by members of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department, transported to a location out- side of the Fairgrounds, and then released immediately ad- jacent to Interstate 4 in Hills-
borough County without no- tice to parents or other re- sponsible adults...”
At the time of the incident, fair officials said the students were ejected from the fair be- cause several of them were “wilding.” However, there is no evidence that Joseph par- ticipated in the event.
“Student Day has had a continuous history of civil rights abuses and the targeting of African American students and juveniles for arrest, ejec- tion and unjustified law en- forcement intervention since the event’s inception and of which the Defendants were well aware prior to the 2014 event,” the lawsuit alleges.
It further stated that of the 99 students ejected that night, 96 were African American.
Former Hospital Employee Indicted For Tax Fraud
A former employee of a local hospital has been in- dicted on several charges re- lated to federal income tax fraud. She is accused of using her position at the hospital to obtain patient information used to file fraudulent income tax returns.
Ms. Shanakia Benton,
37, was charged with theft of government property, aggra- vated identity theft, wrongful disclosure of individually identifiable health informa- tion, and wire fraud.
According to court docu- ments, Ms. Benton was em- ployed at Tampa General Hospital from February 2007 until August 2014, when she was terminated. Court docu- ments stated that beginning in June 2011 through December 2012, Ms. Benton accessed the hospital’s patient informa- tion data base. She then used that information to file false federal income tax returns.
According to the docu- ments, on February 15, 2012, a tax return in the amount of $9,907 was deposited in her account. On July 25, 2012, a refund in the amount of $8,082 was deposited into her account from the Internal Revenue Service. She obtained $17,989, officials said.
Officials said Ms. Benton operated the scheme in con- junction with others.
Ms. Benton is the second hospital employee charged with income tax fraud. Ms. Tigi Moore pleaded guilty to
SHANAKIA BENTON ... Indicted on tax fraud charges
conspiracy, theft of govern- ment property, and aggra- vated identity theft in 2014. She was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison.
John Dunn, spokesman for Tampa General Hospital said the hospital’s policy is, “Patients who are hospitalized trust us to do everything we can to make them well. That includes protecting the pri- vacy of their medical informa- tion. TGH takes this obligation very seriously. We will work with law enforce- ment to make sure those who violate that trust are arrested and prosecuted.
“We are encouraged that the courts are handing down lengthy prison terms for those convicted of this crime. We believe the possibility of a long prison sentence, along with our increased security meas- ures, serves as a strong deter- rent going forward.”
Motorcyclist Killed In Traffic Accident
Detectives with the Tampa Police Department are cur- rently investigating a fatal traffic accident that took place on Monday. The accident hap- pened at the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd., and Albany Avenue.
According to police, the multi-vehicle accident in- volved two cars and a motor- cycle. The motorcyclist,
identified as Lorenzo Mal- danado, 57, died as a result of the accident. No other in- juries were reported.
Police have not released the names of any of those involved in the accident. The investiga- tion is continuing.
As a result of the accident, both lanes on Dr. King Blvd., were closed for several hours.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A