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Largo demands records from Stanton's laptop

Early Edition: City officials say documents removed from the fired city manager's computer may include public records; Stanton says they were personal files.

By Lorri Helfand, Times Staff Writer
Published April 19, 2007

LARGO - Files from former City Manager Steve Stanton's city-issued laptop computer apparently were removed before he returned it last month, Largo officials say.

A computer forensic expert hired by Largo concluded that it appears that a "significant number of files" on the laptop's hard drive were "destroyed, removed or altered shortly before the computer was returned to the city," according to an April 12 letter from an attorney for the city to Stanton's lawyer.

The city is seeking the return of any records taken off the laptop. City officials said they believe the documents removed may include public records. Florida law prohibits public officials from destroying public records.

"The city is considering its rights with regard to potential civil legal remedies for the destruction or conversion of public documents and for spoliation of evidence," wrote Kevin Johnson, whose law firm, Thompson, Sizemore & Gonzalez, represents Largo on labor matters.

Apparently, at least two portable storage devices, or USB drives, were used to store documents, perhaps including public records, from the laptop, Johnson wrote.

As a result, the city has demanded that Stanton produce any portable data storage devices that were used to store missing data so the city can retrieve public records.

Early this week, Stanton acknowledged using a memory stick with the laptop and, without being specific, said people were "yelling" at him about it. He said his attorney said he should not discuss the issue with the Times. He said he wanted to avoid litigation and might "wind up going to court" over this issue.

He did not return later calls from the Times.

Stanton's attorney said he is working with the city. She blamed the Times, which has requested records from the laptop, for inflating a non-existing issue.

"There's nothing missing. There's nothing removed,'' said Karen Doering, senior counsel for the National Center for Lesbian Rights. "The city was fully aware he was going to take his personal items off the computer before he returned it. You all are the only ones creating an issue here where there really isn't one.

City Attorney Alan Zimmet said "Steve says nothing he deleted and saved to the USB drive has anything to do with city business.''

The city wants to review the documents to make sure of that, Zimmet said.

Harold Schomaker, the city's information technology manager, said employees are informed during orientation not to expect privacy with e-mails or Internet usage. They're also told city devices are not meant for personal use, he said.The Largo City Commission fired Stanton, 48, on March 23, about a month after he disclosed that he planned to become a woman named Susan.

Since then, Stanton has said on national TV that he does not plan to challenge his termination in court, but hopes to educate others about transgender people. He also has applied for a job as Sarasota's city manager.

[Last modified April 19, 2007, 15:02:19]