TV reporter hit with injunction

WFLA-ch. 8's Steve Andrews must stay 300 feet away from a man who says Andrews is stalking him.

By CHRISTOPHER GOFFARD, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 11, 2002

TAMPA -- A local television reporter must stay 300 feet from a man who claims the reporter is stalking him in pursuit of a story, a Hillsborough judge has ruled.

Last Thursday, County Judge Eric Myers granted a temporary injunction against WFLA-Ch. 8 investigative reporter Steve Andrews, who has done a series of stories involving the multiple arrests of Minh Ben Ross of Tampa.

In his application for the injunction, Ross, 30, complained that Andrews "harassed me and my lawyer repetitively with unwarranted questions" outside the Hillsborough courthouse, and had a cameraman film him without his knowledge.

Ross also accused the reporter of "displaying me and treating me as a terrible individual" on newscasts.

Ross, a cook, said he has lost sleep, can't work, and must "close all my blinds in my home for fear he may be stalking me."

Andrews, an award-winning veteran reporter, called the injunction "ridiculous" and an affront to the First Amendment.

"It makes me wonder whether the judge read the thing when he signed it," Andrews said. "If he read it and signed it, my question is, 'Does he think he's bigger than the constitution?' This is alarming. This is about stopping the press from covering the news."

Judge Myers, who signed the order, would not comment Tuesday.

Andrews' lawyers will argue to have the injunction dissolved before the judge at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

Under Florida statute, there must be at least two alleged incidents of violence or stalking for a petitioner to be eligible for such an injunction. Gregg Thomas, the lawyer representing Andrews, said the statute doesn't apply to legitimate newsgathering.

"These injunctions are designed to protect spouses in abuse situations," Thomas said. "Mr. Andrews only asked Mr. Ross some questions. That's not what these injunctions were designed for."

Andrews has aired a series of stories involving Ross' multiple DUI arrests and how Hillsborough County Judge Elvin Martinez tossed out crucial evidence against Ross at a trial.

Ross still faces another DUI charge, and a charge of aggravated battery on his pregnant wife.

Andrews and a cameraman approached Ross and his lawyer outside the courthouse last week, and followed them a short distance when they refused to answer questions. A Channel 8 cameraman also filmed Ross driving with a suspended license.

Ross's lawyer, James Thomas, said his client felt intimidated by Andrews and took out the injunction on his own accord.

"I believe that Mr. Andrews is trying to create the news, not report the news," Thomas said.

In July 2000, Andrews reported how former Hillsborough State Attorney Harry Lee Coe borrowed money from two employees. When Coe killed himself that month, facing massive gambling debts and a state investigation into his conduct, it was Andrews and his crew who found the body.

Judge Eric Myers has been the subject of controversy before. As a state prosecutor, he signed off on the bugging of Steve and Marlene Aisenberg, who were indicted in 1999 for conspiracy and making false statements about the disappearance of their 5-month-old daughter. Charges were later dropped.

-- Times researcher John Martin contributed to this report. Christopher Goffard can be reached at 226-3337 or goffard@sptimes.com

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