Fired ex-Florida law enforcement officer alleges unfair dismissal, implying agency and Governor Ron DeSantis engaged in reprisals.
Shane Desguin claims he was compelled to step down from his role as chief of staff last year after he refused to comply with orders he believed contravened the law or were improper, according to a whistleblower lawsuit filed recently in Leon County Circuit Court.
He further accuses DeSantis and FDLE officials of infringing on the privacy rights of migrants, withholding public records, and calling for the arrests of neo-Nazi demonstrators, allegedly infringing on their First Amendment rights.
“Desguin was subjected to discriminatory treatment, different terms and conditions of employment, and held to a different standard because he reported Defendants' misconduct, unlawful activities, and was subject to retaliation thereafter,” the 16-page lawsuit declares.
“FDLE has not been served notice of this suit and we do not comment on any ongoing litigation. However, an internal investigation confirmed numerous instances of misconduct by Desguin,” FDLE stated to CNN in a release.
“As shown by the findings of this investigation (which included the testimonies of numerous employees), Shane Desguin and Patricia Carpenter caused significant discord in the workplace, threatened the safety of other employees, and exhibited unprofessional and dishonest behavior.
“This included sexual harassment, discrimination, and the brandishing of a firearm within the office. We are grateful that our association with these unsuitable individuals has ceased, considering the alarming accusations that were authenticated following a comprehensive investigation,” the statement said.
Desguin oversaw Carpenter and the pair were also romantically involved, according to their attorney.
Starting in September 2021, Desguin alleges he was instructed on multiple occasions over a six-month period by DeSantis’ “public safety advisor” Lawrence Keefe and other administration and FDLE officials to gather "photographs, biometric data, and any other relevant information by engaging with" migrants arriving in Jacksonville, Florida, on US government-chartered flights from the US southern border.
Desguin states he objected, and on multiple occasions informed Keefe that he was concerned such an instruction could be legally questionable, according to the complaint.
“FDLE does not have the legal authority to perform name checks, capture photographs, or compile intelligence files without a criminal basis or reasonable suspicion,” according to the lawsuit.
As a consequence, Desguin claims there was a strain in his working relationship with Keefe.
Keefe "communicated that non-compliance with his orders would result in negative consequences," the lawsuit says.
Desguin also voiced potential unlawful imprisonment or kidnapping concerns when DeSantis' staff proposed moving migrants outside of Florida, the lawsuit states.
In August of 2023, Desguin claims DeSantis' staff pressured the FDLE to arrest neo-Nazi protesters in Orlando, Florida.
DeSantis, who was vying for the presidency at the time, wanted those protesters arrested under a new statute that prohibits people from projecting images onto a building or property without consent, according to the lawsuit.
Desguin argued that the FDLE could not arrest someone solely for participating in First Amendment-protected activities.
In response, Desguin claims DeSantis' Chief of Staff Alex Kelly told him, "I don't think you understand. If you search diligently enough, you can always find a way. The Governor (DeSantis) wants someone arrested today. He (Defendant DeSantis) stands behind you in any arrest," according to the lawsuit.
Desguin alleges DeSantis and other officials continued to push for an arrest despite objections from FDLE employees who stated they could not arrest someone simply due to DeSantis' desire to do so.
In September 2023, the FDLE and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) announced the arrest of a 48-year-old man for hanging swastikas and other antisemitic banners on a bridge.
Also last fall, Desguin and other FDLE officials disagreed with DeSantis' team about the release of the governor's travel records.
They were eventually informed that none of the governor's travel records would be released. Desguin, along with FDLE counsel Janine Robinson, disagreed and argued that withholding the records was a violation of the law.
Robinson threatened to resign over the matter and was eventually denied a promotion and a pay raise, according to the complaint. CNN attempted to contact Robinson for comment.
Shortly thereafter, Desguin was placed on administrative leave.
Jeremy Redfern, press secretary for DeSantis, did not respond directly to any of the allegations raised in the lawsuit.
Instead, Redfern provided CNN with a 129-page FDLE Internal Affairs report from May 2024 that found Desguin and Carpenter had created a hostile work environment for others. In one instance highlighted in the report, Desguin allegedly handled a firearm in his office during a defensive tactics demonstration and pointed it at Carpenter.
Marie Mattox, the attorney representing both Desguin and Carpenter, claims Desguin was forced to retire and told CNN the Internal Affairs report was completed after her client left FDLE.
Desguin's affidavit of separation stated the reason for his separation was retirement and that it did not involve misconduct. The complaint states that the allegations against Desguin were submitted to the State Attorney's Office for potential prosecution, but they declined to bring charges.
"If you look at the timeline, it is apparent that both FDLE and DeSantis escalated their attacks on him after he left, trying to tarnish his reputation. They essentially have no choice but to attempt to sow doubt about his character because they cannot defend the allegations he made on the merits. So, what do they do? They blame him AFTER he was exonerated of wrongdoing," Mattox said in a statement to CNN.
In a chat with CNN, Mattox refuted claims in the Internal Affairs report that Desguin fostered a hostile work atmosphere by brandishing a firearm at Carpenter during a rally. Mattox asserted, "Nope, nothing like that ever transpired."
As per Mattox, Carpenter is a whistleblower who was let go without explanation shortly following her whistleblower complaint. Mattox mentioned Carpenter intends to file a lawsuit in the near future.
Desguin is seeking a trial by jury, monetary compensation, legal expenses reimbursement, and reinstatement to his position.
CNN contacted Lawrence Keefe and Alex Kelly for their opinion on the matter.
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Desguin believes that the retaliation against him for reporting misconduct and unlawful activities led to his forced retirement from his position within the agency.
Following his retirement, Desguin and his alleged Romantic partner were subjected to further attacks aimed at tarnishing their reputations by both the agency and Governor Ron DeSantis.
