Dubois V Hefty

Case 1:15-cv-20336-JEM Document 10 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/30/2015 Page 1 of 28
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
MIAMI DIVISION
Case No. 15-20336-CIV-MARTINEZ-GOODMAN
JOHN E. DUBOIS,
Plaintiff,
v.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, by
and through the Regulatory and
Economic Resources Department,
LEE HEFTY, individually,
and JACK OSTERHOLT, individually
Defendants,
__________________________________/
AMENDED COMPLAINT AND DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
COMES NOW Plaintiff, John E. DuBois, sues the Defendant, Miami-Dade County
(hereinafter the County) and alleges as follows:
Jurisdiction and Venue
1.
Plaintiff invokes the Courts jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. 1331, as this case
arises under the Constitution and laws of the United States.

2.
The events giving rise to this action occurred in Miami, County of Miami-Dade,
Florida.
3.
Plaintiff is an individual residing in and owning property located at 17575 and
17505 Old Cutler Rd, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157 (hereinafter subject property)
4.
Defendant Miami-Dade County is a municipality in a Florida County and a
person within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. 1983 and is a legal entity suable in its own name
under Florida law.
5.
The Department of Environmental Resources Management (hereinafter DERM)
is a division within the Regulatory and Economic Resources Department of Miami Dade County.
6.
On November 21, 1995 Miami-Dade County Manager Armando Vidal executed
an Order of Delegation and Operating Agreement between the Florida Department of

Environmental Protection and Metropolitan Dade County regarding the regulation of mangroves.
Pursuant to this order of delegation, final decision and policymaking authority with regards to
the implementation and execution of Florida Statute 403.9321-403.9333, the Mangrove
Trimming and Preservation Act (hereinafter MTPA), was vested in DERM. The purpose of
the delegation agreement was to delegate the Florida Department of Environmental Protections
authority to regulate the trimming and alteration of mangroves to counties and municipalities.
7.
Defendant Lee Hefty (hereinafter Hefty) is an individual residing in and
maintaining employment with Miami Dade County. Hefty has been the Director of DERM since
his appointment as interim director by Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez on August 9,
2011 and has been employed by DERM since 1990. From August 2008-August 2011 Hefty was
Assistant Director of DERM responsible for oversight of senior level departmental staff in
several divisions involved with implementing Miami-Dade Countys environmental protection
ordinance and for providing policy level guidance and decision making on requirements of the
County Code.
8.
Pursuant to Miami Dade County Code Chapter 24-7 the Director of DERM has
the sole authority to determine whether the provisions of the Miami-Dade County Environmental
Protection Ordinance, Chapter 24 of the Miami Dade County Code, are being followed, the sole
discretion to initiate proceedings against anyone suspected of violating the provisions of Chapter
24 of the Miami Dade County Code, and sole discretion to terminate an investigation or an
action commenced under the provisions of Chapter 24 of the Miami Dade County Code.
9.
Defendant Jack Osterholt (hereinafter Osterholt) is an individual maintaining
employment with Miami Dade County. Osterholt has been Deputy Mayor to Miami Dade
County Mayor Carlos Gimenez since August 1, 2011 and the Director of the Department of
Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER) since May 25, 2012.
10.
In May of 2012 DERM was consolidated with the Miami Dade County divisions
of Construction, Permitting and Building Code, Development Services, Business Affairs,

Planning, and Environmental Resources Management to form the Department of Regulatory and
Economic Resources (RER). This consolidation was approved by the Miami Dade County
Board of Commissioners.
11.
Osterholt was delegated responsibility for environmental permitting and
regulation in his employment as Deputy Mayor by Miami Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez.
Osterholt was delegated responsibility and accountability for all of the service elements involved
in permitting and land development in his appointment as the Director of the Department of
Regulatory and Economic Resources by Miami Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez.
12.
Venue is proper in this Court under 28 U.S.C. 1391(b) because the Defendants
reside and may be found within the Southern District of Florida.

Facts
The Walbergs
13.
From 1955-2000 the subject property was owned by Nathan and Bernice Walberg
(hereinafter Walbergs).
14.
In 1994 the Walbergs filed for a Class I permit with DERM in order to re-
establish the historically maintained height and configuration of mangroves present on the
subject property following the devastation which had occurred from Hurricane Andrew.
15.
In 1996 Florida Statutes 403.9321-403.9333, MTPA was enacted and
implemented.
16.
In light of newly enacted legislation governing the trimming of mangroves, the
MTPA, the Walbergs withdrew their Class I permit application and trimmed mangroves on their
property pursuant to the exemption criteria provided by the MTPA.
17.
None of the trimming conducted by the Walbergs was performed by a
Professional Mangrove Trimmer (hereinafter PMT) and no 10-day notice was given prior to
trimming, despite both being required by the MTPA.
18.
On April 3, 1996, after learning of the trimming performed by the Walbergs,
DERM conducted an on-site inspection of the subject property and documented that red, white
and black mangroves had been trimmed in violation of the MTPA by trimming mangroves below
6 in height, altering mangroves, trimming mangroves greater than 10 in height without the
supervision of a PMT, failure to provide 10-day notice of the trimming to DERM and trimming
in excess of the 65% aggregate limit of coastal mangroves present on the subject property.
19.
DERM staff estimated that although mangrove trimming and alteration violations
had occurred, less than 5% of the total mangroves on the property were trimmed in violation of
the MTPA. No enforcement action was taken.
20.
DERM issued the Walbergs a warning letter regarding the violation and
instructing the Walbergs not to trim in violation of the MTPA in the future. No additional
enforcement was taken against the Walbergs.
Clifford Kunde
21.
The property located at 17401 Old Cutler Rd, neighboring the subject property to
the north, has been owned by Clifford Kunde or his family since 1960 (hereinafter Kunde).
22.
A large riparian mangrove fringe exists along the coastline of the property located
at 17601 Old Cutler Rd. This mangrove fringe has been trimmed and maintained according to
the exemption provisions of the MTPA since its enactment in 1996.
23.
The Kundes have trimmed and maintained the coastal riparian mangrove fringe
on his property at a height of 4 pursuant to the historical maintenance exemption criteria of the
MTPA.
24.
On December 22, 2010, DERM employees John Ricisak (hereinafter Ricisak)
and Luis Fernandez (hereinafter Fernandez) inspected and photographed the property
immediately north of the subject property located at 17401 Old Cutler Rd.
25.
Ricisak and Fernandez observed mangroves on the property located at 17401 Old
Cutler Rd which had been altered and cut below 4 in height in violation of the MTPA.
26.
No enforcement action was ever commenced against the owner of the property
located at 17401 Old Cutler Rd.

Plaintiff
27.
On July 31, 2000 Plaintiff purchased the subject property from the Walbergs.
28.
In late 2001 Plaintiff hired a licensed PMT, James Robinson (hereinafter
Robinson), a former employee of DERM and well respected professional environmental

consultant, to trim coastal mangroves on the subject property.
29.
Robinson applied for a Class I permit from DERM on Plaintiffs behalf to trim
coastal mangroves on the subject property.
30.
In response to Robinsons permit application, DERMs Coastal Resource Section
Manager, Joanne Clingerman (hereinafter Clingerman) performed an inspection of the subject

property, measuring and inventorying all mangroves.
31.
It quickly became apparent that DERM had no intention of issuing a Permit to
Plaintiff. DERM continually made redundant requests for clarification and additional
information. Robinson lamented in correspondence with DERM that such permitting practices
were ridiculous and presented a serious hinderance to his ability to make a living. Specifically,
Robinson cited numerous projects more impactful than those proposed on the subject property
that had been easily permitted by DERM.
32.
In response to Robinsons correspondence, Hefty1 informed Robinson that much
of the proposed mangrove trimming work would qualify as exempt trimming under the MTPA
and would not require a permit to complete.
33.
Robinson subsequently issued a 10-day notification of his intent to trim
mangroves on the subject property pursuant to the exemption criteria of the MTPA. After
receiving no response from DERM, Robinson issued a second 10-day notification of his intent to
trim mangroves on the subject property, unnecessary according to the MTPA but done at the
direction of Plaintiff in an abundance of caution. No objections were made by DERM.
34.
On the day of the trimming, Clingerman appeared at the subject property
unannounced and attempted to enter the subject property without a warrant. After Clingerman
was refused entry, she screamed over a fence that if Robinson did not cease trimming she would
pull his PMT license.
From 2001-2005 Hefty served as a manager of the Coastal Resources Section of DERM and was responsible for
managing environmental monitoring programs. Hefty signed his correspondence with Robinson, however, as Chief
of the Coastal Resources Section of DERM.
35.
Robinson completed the trimming on the subject property and no enforcement
action was taken or initiated against either Robinson or Plaintiff.

36.
In February 2002 Plaintiff submitted construction plans to begin the construction
permitting process to obtain a final building permit to construct a single family home on the
subject property.
37.
With the exception of DERM2, all other agencies within Miami Dade County
processed, commented upon and eventually approved Plaintiffs plans within 5 months of initial
submission.
38.
DERM, however, amassed over 150 separate non-compliance issues during
Plaintiffs construction plan review at DERM, each which would have to be addressed before
issuing inspection approvals. DERM serialized the review process between its own internal
departments to try to prevent Defendant from receiving a final approved building permit for the
subject property within the necessary time frame after which the permit application would expire
and all plans would have to be redone in accordance with the then new Florida Building Codes,
at great expense to Plaintiff. Among some of the more outrageous issues compiled by DERM
are as follows:
a. A requirement to install 5 commercial storm drains, despite no plans for there
being any asphalt or other non-percolating ground cover on the property; all
construction plans called for 100% percolating pavers and grass or trees on the
subject property. Such a request was unprecedented for residential
construction in Miami Dade County.
Upon receiving Plaintiffs construction plans on February 19, 2002, DERMs initial estimate to complete approval
was 8 days, however final approval would not be granted until February 18, 2003.
b. A requirement for an architect to perform a hypothetical wave action analysis

on the pool which was to be constructed partially underneath the single family
home to determine if it could be ejected from its foundation and land on a
neighboring property or structure. According to Plaintiffs architects, such
hypothetical analysis would be nearly impossible to perform and they had
never heard of such a request before.
c. A requirement that columns within the pool structure be able to move
independently from the house structure, which would require that the columns
not reach the bottom of the pool. DERM was aware that such a requirement
would create a conflict with life/safety requirements in that such a proposal
would create non-permittable drowning risks and would force Dade County
agencies responsible for life/safety requirements to fail an inspection on the
pool and deny Plaintiffs Certificate of Occupancy.
39.
DERM plan processing remarks from March 9, 2002 stated that there were no
wetlands on the subject property and all trees were clear.

40.
In 2002 Plaintiff hired Steve Carney (hereinafter Carney), of Carney
Environmental Consulting, Inc., to perform a site assessment to limit any potential

environmental impacts of the proposed construction. Carney performed a jurisdictional wetland
analysis which concluded that no jurisdictional wetlands existed on the property landward of the
present coastal boundaries with Biscayne Bay of the subject property.
41.
In January 2003 Plaintiff was told by an Environmental Quality Control Board
(EQCB) member during an EQCB hearing to rule on his request for a variance for water hook-up
at the subject property, that the subject property was coveted for use as a public park.
42.
Although Plaintiffs variance was granted for the subject property, DERM would
continue to constantly monitor and attempt to enter the subject property from land, sea and air
once construction of a single family residence began in 2003.
43.
After nearly a year without any progress addressing the seemingly endless
additional requests for corrections, studies, additional information and to review Plaintiffs
construction plans by DERM, Plaintiff confronted the Director of DERM, John Renfrow
(hereinafter Renfrow) and hand delivered to him a letter on Thursday February 13, 2003 that
explained the myriad of issues continually being raised by DERM, the bad intentions on the part
of DERM employees (specifically Clingerman), and the extreme delays in their permitting
approval process. Renfrow agreed with the letter and dispatched two DERM employees, Susan
Markley and Lee Hefty, to inspect the subject property for final plan approval. If a final building
permit was not approved by Thursday February 18, 2003 Plaintiff would be forced to start the
permitting process all over again, costing him tens of thousands of dollars and further delaying
construction on the subject property. DERM approval was the only requirement outstanding for
a building permit to be approved and issued.
44.
On February 17, 2003 (Presidents Day) an inspection of the subject property was
scheduled between Plaintiff and the two employees from DERM3. On February 18, 2003 at
3:56pm, 364 days 23 hours and 56 minutes after Plaintiff initially began the permitting process
and four minutes before the application for the final building permit would have expired,
Plaintiffs construction plans were approved.
45.
In response to an inquiry from DERM employee John Ricisak (hereinafter
Ricisak) on March 2, 2004 regarding potential wetland violations on the subject property,
Hefty and Susan Markley
Hefty determined that none of the construction on the subject property had impacted any
wetlands.
46.
On March 8, 2004 both Hefty and Susan Markley determined that no activities
conducted on the subject property constituted a violation of environmental regulations under the
jurisdiction of DERM. No wetlands had been illegally filled and no mangroves had been
illegally trimmed.
47.
In October 2005 Hurricane Wilma severely impacted the subject property and
knocked down a number of coastal mangrove trees.

48.
In April 2007 Plaintiff became a certified arborist by the International Society of
Arboriculture (ISA). According to Fla. Stat. 403.9329 certified arborists, certified by the
International Society of Arboriculture are considered professional mangrove trimmers.
49.
On June 21, 2009 Ricisak, while off-duty, observed mangrove trimming had
occurred along coastal areas of the subject property eligible for trimming under the exemption
criteria of the MTPA and previously trimmed by Robinson in 2002.
50.
On December 27, 2009 Ricisak, while off-duty, observed mangrove trimming had
51.
On May 29, 2010 Ricisak, while off-duty, observed mangrove trimming had
52.
On December 13, 2010 Ricisak posted a cease and desist letter on the subject
property, demanding Plaintiff cease and desist all non-exempt mangrove trimming and provide a
response as to what trimming, if any, Plaintiff believed to be exempt from permitting

requirements.
53.
On December 22, 2010 DERM employees Ricisak and Luis Fernandez
(hereinafter Fernandez) attempted to inspect the subject property, but were denied access to the
subject property from the gated entrance and proceeded to inspect the subject property from
Biscayne Bay via canoe.
54.
During their inspection from Biscayne Bay Ricisak and Fernandez encountered
Plaintiff trimming mangroves eligible for exempt trimming under the MTPA along the coastline
of the subject property. In subsequent testimony and correspondence both Ricisak and other
DERM employees have admitted this area is eligible for exempt trimming by a homeowner.
a. Plaintiff instructed Ricisak and Fernandez that he had received the prior cease
and desist letter, but that it was factually incorrect and DERM would receive
his response in a written letter shortly.
b. Plaintiff also instructed Ricisak and Fernandez that he was the owner of
submerged lands on the property and that they were trespassing and told them
to leave his property.
55.
On December 23, 2010 Ricisak provided an altered copy of Plaintiffs recorded
deed for the subject property to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
division of mapping and planning to receive a submerged lands ownership determination for the
subject property.
a. On February 9, 2011 DEP, relying upon the altered information provided by
RICISAK, made a determination that no private submerged lands existed
on the subject property.
b. On November 21, 2014 Plaintiff provided DEP with an unaltered copy of the
recorded deed for the subject property and historical documentation of the
subject property for a sovereign submerged lands determination.
c. On December 8, 2014 DEP determined that private submerged lands do
exist on the subject property.
56.
On December 30, 2010 Plaintiff responded to DERM and Ricisak that any work
performed on the subject property did not require a Class I Permit, documenting harassment both
current and prior by DERM, and informing Ricisak that his property included submerged lands
upon which he was not to trespass.
57.
On January 21, 2011, Plaintiff was issued Uniform Civil Violation Notice
(UCVN) B104439 for the trimming/alteration of mangroves on the subject property in violation
of Miami Dade County Code Chap. 24-25 for violations allegedly observed a month earlier.
UCVN B104439 specifically stated Plaintiff committed a violation of Miami Dade County Code
Chap.. 24-25 on December 22, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. (emphasis added). No further information
was provided as to the location, type or any other specifics of the violations referenced in UCVN
B104439. The UCVN did not contain any reference to any alleged wetland violations on the
subject property, although Ricisak documented what he believed to be wetland violations during
his December 22, 2010 inspection. It is not in dispute that Plaintiff was eligible to trim the
mangroves Ricisak observed Plaintiff trimming that morning under exemption criteria of the
MTPA, although specifically cited in the UCVN.
58.
On March 2, 2011, without consulting legal counsel and believing the citation to
have been issued in error, Plaintiff paid UCVN B104439 out of convenience.
a. 20 days after paying UCVN B104439 Plaintiff was provided with a

continuing violation notice, for an alleged failure to correct the violations
Defendant had admitted to through payment of UCVN B104439.
b. According to this continuing violation notice, Plaintiff was now being
assessed a penalty 20x greater than the initial civil penalty of $250.00, or
$5,000.00.
59.
In March 2011 Plaintiff spoke publicly at a town hall meeting in which he has
highly critical of DERM, calling them the most predatory agency in all of Miami-Dade County,
the second largest taxing authority within Miami-Dade County, and an abusive agency, among
other negative characterizations.
60.
In April 2011 Plaintiff authored a letter to the editor of the Palmetto Bay
newspaper in which he chastised DERM as being predatory, characterizing their behavior as

destructive to individuals in the community, and accusing DERM of unfair dealings with his
neighbor, among other negative characterizations.
61.
On May 5, 2011 the Director of DERM, Carlos Espinosa, replied to Plaintiffs
editorial in the Palmetto Bay newspaper defending DERM against the prior criticisms published
by Plaintiff assuring the Public that DERM is fair, reasonable and consistent in the application of
rules and regulations. Mr. Espinosa further asked citizens who feel that they are not being
treated fairly to contact the Director of DERM directly.
62.
On May 17, 2011 Mr. Espinosa retired from his employment as the Director of
DERM.
63.
On May 31, 2011 a meeting was held between Plaintiff, Hefty, DERM employee
Matt Davis and DERM employee Lisa Spadafina discussing the enforcement actions initiated
against Plaintiff by DERM. Plaintiff informed Hefty, Matt Davis and Lisa Spadafina that he had
paid the UCVN out of convenience and that the trees alleged to be trimmed in violation were
damaged by Hurricanes and Tornadoes in 2005.
64.
On August 2, 2011, following continued denials by Plaintiff as to the existence of
violations on the subject property, DERM issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) alleging
mangroves had been trimmed, altered or removed in violation of Miami Dade County Code
Chap. 24 AND wetlands had been filled in violation of Miami Dade County Code Chap. 244.
65.
On January 3, 2012 Plaintiff again wrote to DERM (by and through DERM
employee Barbara Brown) criticizing the conduct of the agency as being targeted for his
criticism of DERM at an earlier Town hall workshop in 2011.
66.
On March 1, 2012 a meeting was held between Hefty, Osterholt, Assistant County
Attorney Tom Robertson (hereinafter ACA Robertson), and Eddie Borrego, Chief of Staff to
then County Commissioner Lynda Bell, discussing the enforcement actions taken against
Plaintiff by DERM.
67.
On July 5, 2012 DERM Issued a Final Notice Prior to Court Action in which
Plaintiff was accused of both mangrove trimming and wetland filling violations. Plaintiff
responded to this notice on July 23, 2012 denying that any violations existed on his property,
requested a return of the $260.00 plaintiff unwittingly and without legal advice paid for UCVN
B104439, and requesting an appeal before the EQCB.
68.
On August 2, 2012 Defendant requested a continuance from a continuing
violation hearing scheduled for August 16, 2012, requesting that DERM provide further details
regarding exactly what violation he is being accused of.
44
This was the first time Plaintiff had been formally accused of wetland violations on the subject property.
69.
A continuation was granted, but no additional information as to the alleged
violations and penalties was provided.

70.
On September 4, 2012, Defendant again requested specific information from
DERM regarding exactly what, other than generic Chap. 24 violations he had been accused of.
No response detailing the alleged violations was provided.
71.
On September 6, 2012 Defendant, via mail, again requested a continuation of the
continuing violation hearing now scheduled for September 20, 2012.

72.
This second continuation request was allegedly never received prior to the hearing
scheduled for September 20, 2012. However, Plaintiffs second continuation would re-appear in
the Clerks files with a receipt date stamped on the letter of October 3, 2012; the date-stamped
envelope of the continuation request was suspiciously and uniquely missing from the Clerks
files.
73.
On September 19, 2012 Defendant filed the civil case styled Miami Dade County
vs. John DuBois Case no. 12-37082 against Plaintiff(hereinafter Enforcement Action). This
complaint was filed by ACA Robertson. This complaint was filed, despite the fact that Plaintiff
had not yet exhausted his administrative remedies to challenge the Director of DERMs decision
to issue a Final Notice of Violation Prior to Court Action.
74.
On September 20, 2012, minutes before Plaintiff would attempt to defend himself
pro se at the administrative hearing, he was served with the enforcement action complaint.
75.
During the administrative hearing, after testimony had begun, and in the midst of
Plaintiff attempting to defend himself, ACA Robertson appeared at the hearing (a highly unusual
event according to the hearing officer) and continuously interrupted the hearing, directing the
hearing officer that there could be no consideration as to issues of whether any violation had
occurred, because Plaintiff had paid UCVN B104439 and any issues with regard to mangrove
trimming were res judicata. The administrative hearing officer upheld the continuing violation.
76.
On November 7, 2012 Defendant requested an appeal of the Final Notice Prior to
Court Action before the Environmental Quality Control Board (EQCB). Heftys decision to
initiate civil proceedings was not appealable, as a civil complaint had already been filed.
77.
On January 10, 2013 Plaintiff provided 10-day notice to conduct mangrove
trimming on the subject property in accordance with the exemption provision of the MTPA.
DERMs response to Plaintiffs request was Hell No! DERM also asserted that any trimming
performed by Plaintiff, even areas known to be exempt from any permitting requirements under
the MPTA, would be considered a violation.
78.
On March 2, 2013 Plaintiff submitted a Professional Mangrove Trimmer
Renewal/Application form along with $500.00 and proof of his certification as an ISA certified
arborist to DERM.
79.
On March 7, 2013 Plaintiff observed a helicopter hovering over his house for an
extended period of time and boat with DERM insignia approach his property in rapid succession
at a high rate of speed. Plaintiff filed a Suspicious Incident report with the Palmetto Bay Police
Department regarding these observations.
80.
On March 13, 2013 an inspection of the subject property was performed by
Ricisak and several other DERM employees, even though Ricisak did not believe that the
inspection was necessary.
81.
On March 14, 2013 Plaintiff filed a civil suit against Ricisak, individually, styled
John DuBois v. John Ricisak et. al. Case No. 13-9424 in the 11th Judicial Circuit Court of
Miami-Dade County.
82.
On March 15, 2013 Plaintiff issued a 10-day notice to trim mangroves under the
exemption provision of the MTPA so that DERM could dispatch any employees deemed
necessary to monitor the proposed trimming.
83.
On March 25, 2013 an unknown person or persons severely damaged and clean
cut a number of branches of mangroves growing along the coast of the subject property out of
view of the single family residence at approximately 3:00 a.m. Plaintiff filed a police report
regarding this incident.
84.
On Monday April 8, 2013 Plaintiff and DERM engaged in attempted mediation to
resolve these matter without need for further enforcement actions. Plaintiff and DERM were
close to an agreement with a need merely to formalize and define the final details.
85.
On Tuesday April 9, 2013 Plaintiffs Counsel John Lukacs requested a
continuance of the EQCB hearing scheduled for April 11, 2013, because a settlement was nearly
complete and Plaintiff would be out of the state for business for the rest of the week beginning
that evening.
86.
The morning of April 10, 2013 ACA Robertson informed John Lukacs that the
County Attorneys office was agreeable to a continuance, DERM management was agreeable to
a continuance, but DERM staff were not and therefore, the EQCB hearing would continue as
scheduled. Plaintiff was forced to fly back on a red-eye flight for the hearing scheduled for April
11, 2013.
87.
The evening of April 10, 2013 Ricisak was personally served with notice of the
aforementioned civil suit filed on March 14, 2013.
88.
On April 11, 2013 at the scheduled EQCB hearing Defendant produced a pre-
hearing memorandum5 dwarfing any previously produced and containing exhibits and new
allegations never before shown to Plaintiff or Plaintiffs Counsel. These newly included exhibits
and allegations were provided to Plaintiff and Plaintiffs counsel five minutes prior to the
scheduled hearing. The EQCB hearing scheduled for April 11, 2013 was consequently
continued to May 9, 2013.
89.
On May 13, 2013 DERM rejected Plaintiffs PMT application6.
90.
On May 9, 2013 and June 3, 2013 the Environmental Quality Control Board
(EQCB) heard Plaintiffs appeal of the Final Notice of Violation prior to court action. By a 3-2
margin the EQCB Board members voted to uphold the issuance of the Final Notice. However,
the degree and extent of any alleged violations were specifically not determined by the EQCB.
The two EQCB judges who voted in favor of Plaintiff found no evidence to support the findings
of any violations on the subject property. Hefty served as the Secretary of the EQCB throughout
the proceedings.
91.
On July 12, 2013 the EQCB issued a final order denying Plaintiffs appeal. The
contents of this order was drafted by DERM staff and acknowledged by Hefty as Secretary and
Clerk of the EQCB.
92.
On March 15, 2014 a preliminary injunctive order was issued by the 11th Judicial
Circuit of Miami-Dade County requiring Plaintiff to perform an environmental assessment of the
A pre-hearing memorandum is produced by DERM staff prior to any appeal providing DERMs assessment of why
the appeal should be denied to the EQCB boardmembers. Appellants are not afforded the same opportunity to
provide a report as to why the appeal should be upheld. These pre-hearing memorandum are typically made
available to the public well before the scheduled EQCB hearing date.
6
A denial of an applicants application to become a registered Professional Mangrove Trimmer is considered a final
decision by the Director of DERM.
5
subject property and determine the degree and extent of violations on the subject property as well
as prepare a mitigation plan for any violations.
93.
On April 6, 2014 a Miami Herald Article was written about the civil case filed
against Plaintiff by Miami Dade County in which ACA Robertson commented on the penalties
faced by Plaintiff, The purpose of having a penalty provision like that is frankly to coerce
people to comply. And so if a person complies you dont want to penalize them. If a person
fights you the more you, the more you want the penalties so that other people looking at it will
say, oh, I really shouldnt fight them. ACA Robertson also stated that Plaintiff was facing
potentially millions of dollars in fines.
94.
In April 2014 Plaintiff twice sent correspondence to Miami-Dade County
Commissioners Bruno Barreiro, Lynda Bell, Esteban Bovo, Jose Pepe Diaz, Audrey
Edmonson, Sally Heyman, Barbara Jordan, Jean Monestime, Dennis Moss, Rebecca Sosa,
Xavier Suarez, Javier Soto, and Juan Zapata; Miami Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez;
Miami Dade County Deputy Mayors Jack Osterholt, Russell Benford, Genero Chip Iglesias,
and Ed Marquez; and Miami Dade County Attorney R.A. Cuevas. The content of Plaintiffs
correspondence addressed the improper motivations and tactics pursued by DERM against
Plaintiff in their environmental enforcement actions initiated against him.
95.
On June 17, 2014 Plaintiffs agent made a citizens presentation7 to the assembled
Miami Dade County Commission regarding the improper motivations and tactics pursued by
DERM against Plaintiff in their environmental enforcement actions initiated against him.
96.
On September 2, 2014, an order granting Miami Dade County a preliminary
injunction was amended, because it erroneously required Plaintiff to perform an environmental
Plaintiffs agents citizens presentation was sponsored and put on the agenda by Miami Dade County
Commissioner Rebecca Sosa, Chairwoman of the Miami Dade County Commission.
assessment using a jurisdictional wetland delineation line DERM knew to be incorrect. DERM
admitted NO appropriate wetland delineation had been performed and it would need to be
determined as part of the preliminary injunctive order. Without a formal wetland delineation it is
impossible to determine the extent, if any, of wetlands were alleged to have been filled illegally
on the subject property.
97.
On November 17, 2014 a comprehensive environmental assessment was
performed by an experienced environmental consultant on the subject property to assess the

degree and extent of violations existing on the property. The environmental assessment
concluded there could be no wetland violations on the property and that less than 5% of any
mangroves on the subject property had been trimmed, altered or removed in violation of the
MTPA. All of these violations were limited to a non-coastal area along the subject propertys
southern boundary line (coastal mangroves are much more environmentally sensitive than noncoastal mangrove fringes). The report further concluded, that no remediation would be required
for any violations, as the subject property had enjoyed a significant ecological gain and a large
percentage increase in coastal mangrove population as the result of Plaintiffs care of the subject
property.
98.
On November 24, 2014 Miami Dade County filed an Amended Complaint again
accusing Plaintiff of Miami Dade County Code Chap. 24 and MTPA violations for illegally
filling wetlands and cutting mangroves and causing irreparable harm to the environment.
COUNT I CLASS OF ONE DISCRIMINATION
AS TO MIAMI DADE COUNTY
99.
Plaintiff re-alleges and incorporates by reference the allegations set forth in
paragraphs 1-98, as if set forth herein.
100.
The final policymakers for Miami Dade County, pursuant to official policy, have
intentionally singled out and discriminated against Plaintiff by aggressively pursuing Plaintiff for
what always have been de minimus and have now been shown to be moot environmental
violations, when identical or more impactful violations previously documented on the subject
property, although under different ownership, resulted in no enforcement action from Defendant.
101.
Miami Dade Countys discrimination of Plaintiff compared to others similarly
situated is not rationally related to any legitimate government purpose, and is without
justification, cause or excuse.
102.
Miami Dade Countys actions towards Plaintiff were taken under color of state
law and in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment of the United States
Constitution, for which the Defendant is liable to Plaintiff under 42 U.S.C. 1983.
103.
Alternatively, Miami Dade County exhibited totally illegitimate animus toward
Plaintiff and/or illegitimate reasons of a personal nature unrelated to the duties of the
Defendants Department.
104.
Miami Dade County has intentionally singled out and discriminated against
Plaintiff by denying his application to register as a Professional Mangrove Trimmer. Defendant

is the only ISA certified Arborist whose PMT registration application has been denied by
DERM.
105.
The unlawful, arbitrary, capricious and disparate treatment was due to ill will and
malicious intent of Miami Dade County.

106.
Plaintiff has suffered damage and harm as a direct and proximate result of
Defendants actions.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays this court to enter a judgment for an award of damages in
favor of Plaintiff against Defendant plus reasonable attorneys fees and costs pursuant to 42
U.S.C. 1988, and any other relief this court deems just and proper.
COUNT II SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT AS TO MIAMI DADE COUNTY
107.

108.
Miami Dade County unequally applied Fla. Stat 403.9326- 403.9334 (MTPA)
for the purpose of discriminating against Plaintiff.

109.
Miami Dade County treated Plaintiff differently from others similarly situated
through the enforcement actions initiated against Plaintiff. Miami Dade County documented
mangroves which had been trimmed in violation of the MTPA on the Kunde property on the
same date identical alleged violations were observed on the subject property. No enforcement
action was initiated against the Kundes, while identical observations on Plaintiffs property have
resulted in numerous enforcement proceedings and protracted litigation.
110.
COUNT III FIRST AMENDMENT RETALIATION

AS TO MIAMI DADE COUNTY

111.
Plaintiffs public commentary and criticism of DERM, as described herein, is
protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the retaliatory action of
continued aggressive enforcement, threats of unreasonably high violation penalties, and a
campaign of harassment by Miami Dade County violated such rights in violation of 42 U.S.C.
1983.
112.
Plaintiffs public commentary and criticism of DERM were made to expose and
correct official misconduct and inefficiencies in Plaintiffs capacity as a concerned citizen and
not for any personal benefit. Plaintiffs complaints were a matter of public concern and made
through a forum devoted to such complaints.
113.
Plaintiffs public commentary and criticism of DERM played a substantial
motivating part of Miami Dade Countys unconstitutional retaliatory actions.

COUNT IV CLASS OF ONE DISCRIMINATION AS TO LEE HEFTY
114.

115.
Lee Hefty intentionally singled out and discriminated against Plaintiff by ratifying
the aggressive pursuit of Plaintiff for what always have been de minimus and have now been
shown to be moot environmental violations, when identical or more impactful violations
previously documented on the subject property, although under different ownership, resulted in
no enforcement action from Defendant.
116.
Lee Heftys discrimination of Plaintiff compared to others similarly situated is not
rationally related to any legitimate government purpose, and is without justification, cause or
excuse.
117.
Lee Heftys actions towards Plaintiff were taken under color of state law and in
violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment of the United States
Constitution, for which Lee Hefty is liable to Plaintiff under 42 U.S.C. 1983.
118.
Alternatively, Lee Hefty exhibited totally illegitimate animus toward Plaintiff
and/or illegitimate reasons of a personal nature unrelated to the duties of Lee Heftys
employment with DERM.
119.
Lee Hefty has intentionally singled out and discriminated against Plaintiff by
denying his application to register as a Professional Mangrove Trimmer. Defendant is the only
ISA certified Arborist whose PMT registration application has been denied by DERM.
120.
The unlawful, arbitrary, capricious and disparate treatment was due to ill will and
malicious intent of Lee Hefty.

121.
Defendants actions.
COUNT V SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT AS TO LEE HEFTY
122.

123.
Lee Hefty unequally applied Fla. Stat 403.9326- 403.9334 (MTPA) for the
purpose of discriminating against Plaintiff.

124.
Lee Hefty treated Plaintiff differently from others similarly situated through the
enforcement actions initiated against Plaintiff. DERM staff documented mangroves which had
been trimmed in violation of the MTPA on the Kunde property on the same date identical alleged
violations were observed on the subject property. No enforcement action was initiated against the
Kundes, while identical observations on Plaintiffs property have resulted in numerous

enforcement proceedings and protracted litigation.
COUNT VI FIRST AMENDMENT RETALIATION AS TO LEE HEFTY
125.

126.
campaign of harassment by DERM violated such rights in violation of 42 U.S.C. 1983.
127.
128.
motivating part of DERMs unconstitutional retaliatory actions.

COUNT VII CLASS OF ONE DISCRIMINATION
AS TO JACK OSTERHOLT
129.

130.
Jack Osterholt has intentionally singled out and discriminated against Plaintiff by
ratifying the aggressive pursuit Plaintiff for what always have been de minimus and have now
been shown to be moot environmental violations, when identical or more impactful violations
previously documented on the subject property, although under different ownership, resulted in
no enforcement action from DERM.
131.
Jack Osterholts discrimination of Plaintiff compared to others similarly situated
is not rationally related to any legitimate government purpose, and is without justification, cause
or excuse.
132.
Jack Osterholts actions towards Plaintiff were taken under color of state law and
in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment of the United States
Constitution, for which the Defendant is liable to Plaintiff under 42 U.S.C. 1983.
133.
Defendants actions.
COUNT VIII SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT AS TO JACK OSTERHOLT
134.

135.
Jack Osterholt unequally applied Fla. Stat 403.9326- 403.9334 (MTPA) for the
purpose of discriminating against Plaintiff.

136.
Jack Osterholt treated Plaintiff differently from others similarly situated through
the enforcement actions initiated by DERM against Plaintiff. DERM employees documented
mangroves which had been trimmed in violation of the MTPA on the Kunde property on the
same date identical alleged violations were observed on the subject property. No enforcement
action was initiated against the Kundes, while identical observations on Plaintiffs property have
resulted in numerous enforcement proceedings and protracted litigation.
137.
COUNT IX FIRST AMENDMENT RETALIATION

AS TO JACK OSTERHOLT

138.
campaign of harassment by DERM violated such rights in violation of 42 U.S.C. 1983.
139.
140.
motivating part of Jack Osterholts unconstitutional retaliatory actions.

A jury trial is demanded

Respectfully submitted March 30, 2015,
Jeffrey P. Leary
18495 South Dixie Highway PMB 107
Cutler Bay, FL 33157
mdcpr.jl@gmail.com
305-938-1150
________/S/__________________
Jeffrey P. Leary, Esq. (FBN 98653)

Dubois V Hefty

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Case 1:15-cv-20336-JEM Document 10 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/30/2015 Page 1 of 28

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

arises under the Constitution and laws of the United States.

Plaintiff is an individual residing in and owning property located at 17575 and

Defendant Miami-Dade County is a municipality in a Florida County and a

Case 1:15-cv-20336-JEM Document 10 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/30/2015 Page 2 of 28

The Department of Environmental Resources Management (hereinafter DERM)

On November 21, 1995 Miami-Dade County Manager Armando Vidal executed

an Order of Delegation and Operating Agreement between the Florida Department of

Defendant Lee Hefty (hereinafter Hefty) is an individual residing in and

Case 1:15-cv-20336-JEM Document 10 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/30/2015 Page 3 of 28

Defendant Jack Osterholt (hereinafter Osterholt) is an individual maintaining

of Construction, Permitting and Building Code, Development Services, Business Affairs,

Osterholt was delegated responsibility for environmental permitting and

reside and may be found within the Southern District of Florida.

Case 1:15-cv-20336-JEM Document 10 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/30/2015 Page 4 of 28

In 1996 Florida Statutes 403.9321-403.9333, MTPA was enacted and

In light of newly enacted legislation governing the trimming of mangroves, the

None of the trimming conducted by the Walbergs was performed by a

On April 3, 1996, after learning of the trimming performed by the Walbergs,

Case 1:15-cv-20336-JEM Document 10 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/30/2015 Page 5 of 28

On December 22, 2010, DERM employees John Ricisak (hereinafter Ricisak)

located at 17401 Old Cutler Rd.

In late 2001 Plaintiff hired a licensed PMT, James Robinson (hereinafter

Robinson), a former employee of DERM and well respected professional environmental

coastal mangroves on the subject property.

Case 1:15-cv-20336-JEM Document 10 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/30/2015 Page 6 of 28

In response to Robinsons permit application, DERMs Coastal Resource Section

Manager, Joanne Clingerman (hereinafter Clingerman) performed an inspection of the subject

It quickly became apparent that DERM had no intention of issuing a Permit to

In response to Robinsons correspondence, Hefty1 informed Robinson that much

Robinson subsequently issued a 10-day notification of his intent to trim

On the day of the trimming, Clingerman appeared at the subject property

Case 1:15-cv-20336-JEM Document 10 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/30/2015 Page 7 of 28

Robinson completed the trimming on the subject property and no enforcement

action was taken or initiated against either Robinson or Plaintiff.

In February 2002 Plaintiff submitted construction plans to begin the construction

DERM, however, amassed over 150 separate non-compliance issues during

Case 1:15-cv-20336-JEM Document 10 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/30/2015 Page 8 of 28

b. A requirement for an architect to perform a hypothetical wave action analysis

wetlands on the subject property and all trees were clear.

In 2002 Plaintiff hired Steve Carney (hereinafter Carney), of Carney

Environmental Consulting, Inc., to perform a site assessment to limit any potential

In January 2003 Plaintiff was told by an Environmental Quality Control Board

Case 1:15-cv-20336-JEM Document 10 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/30/2015 Page 9 of 28

In response to an inquiry from DERM employee John Ricisak (hereinafter

Hefty and Susan Markley

Case 1:15-cv-20336-JEM Document 10 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/30/2015 Page 10 of 28

knocked down a number of coastal mangrove trees.

In April 2007 Plaintiff became a certified arborist by the International Society of

Case 1:15-cv-20336-JEM Document 10 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/30/2015 Page 11 of 28

response as to what trimming, if any, Plaintiff believed to be exempt from permitting

On December 22, 2010 DERM employees Ricisak and Luis Fernandez

On December 23, 2010 Ricisak provided an altered copy of Plaintiffs recorded

Case 1:15-cv-20336-JEM Document 10 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/30/2015 Page 12 of 28

Case 1:15-cv-20336-JEM Document 10 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/30/2015 Page 13 of 28

a. 20 days after paying UCVN B104439 Plaintiff was provided with a

newspaper in which he chastised DERM as being predatory, characterizing their behavior as

On May 5, 2011 the Director of DERM, Carlos Espinosa, replied to Plaintiffs

Case 1:15-cv-20336-JEM Document 10 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/30/2015 Page 14 of 28

On August 2, 2011, following continued denials by Plaintiff as to the existence of

On August 2, 2012 Defendant requested a continuance from a continuing

Case 1:15-cv-20336-JEM Document 10 Entered on FLSD Docket 03/30/2015 Page 15 of 28