ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Three state workers were fired after working with Orange County deputies on a series of controversial barbershop raids. There are serious questions over who approved the raids.
READ: DBPR Administrative Review Of Raids
Two state administrators are among the three employees fired in the wake of the sweeps and now the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is working on guidelines to make sure all future joint operations are approved at the highest level.
The DBPR suspended joint operations after criticism they more resembled raids than sweeps for unlicensed barbers and stylists and a new state report outlines problems. They included no operation plan on the part of the Department of Business, no documented expectations, no state supervisor in the field, and a state investigator who opened a door without authority.
"I'm really trying to build a positive name back up for my salon," said Jackay Patterson, who owns Jazzy T Hair Designs in Pine Hills.
During her August inspection, a door was pried off its hinges.
"There were kids and parents in there," she said.
Patterson, who was late in renewing her license, and an unlicensed employee were arrested. Had deputies not been present, the matter would have been resolved with citations.
Now, concerns raised by businesses caught in three months of sweeps are outlined in the state report.
"You try to figure out how something like this could happen," said attorney Clint Johnson, Florida Civil Rights Association.
Johnson represents several barbers and stylists who believe their civil rights were violated. Three state employees involved in the joint sweeps at their businesses have been fired.
"We didn't institute this action to see someone get terminated or fired. We instituted the action based on the actions that took place," Johnson said.
The sheriff's office is conducting its own internal review of its role in the sweeps.
Here's a look at the three employees who were fired. Derek Fontanez was a temporary employee. He was the inspector who forced himself through a locked door. Dan Hogan was the regional program administrator. Michael Green was the unlicensed activity administrator in Tallahassee. Hogan and Green's pension will not be impacted.
Previous Stories: December 1, 2010: Barber Shop Owners To Sue Over Raids November 12, 2010: State Halts Controversial Barber Shop Raids August 21, 2010: Undercover Raid Targets Local Barber Shops