Update from the Alachua Project

VERBATIM CONVERSATION BETWEEN CLOVIS WATSON AND CHARLIE GRAPSKI APRIL 28th 2006
CW: OK, now, with all due respect I know it look like I’m being recorded, which I don’t mind if I’m being recorded.

CG: I just left it on since we … [interrupted]

[Note the recorder was on continuously from the beginning of the meeting with Alan Henderson, when Grapski, holding the recorder in plain sight, explicitly informed him that he was being recorded.]

CW: That’s fine with me. Uh, but I’d like to be told I am being recorded prior to that, so that I don’t … its not legal for you to record me without telling me.

CG: Actually, actually it is...

CW: Mmmm.

CG: … but you’re a public official and anything you say should be assumed to be public. And its only, the only time that the recording can’t be done secretly is a private individual and then it is not really a felony but just can’t be used as evidence.

CW: I’m not worried about evidence because anything I tell you I’ll tell the public.

CG: That’s fine.

CW: I’m just letting you know that I can tell you’ve got a recorder on and I wasn’t advised. And I think it would be appropriate if you would avise me, but that’s OK Mr. Grapski.

CG: I would have once I had gotten a chance.

CW: Right.

CW: I will get with the Deputy Clerk. However, on record, on tape I will tell you when we set up a time …
…
CW: I don’t think that will be heading on the territory of illegal based on State Statute 119, which I know, on record, on tape that I know quite well.

So where was the felony committed? When was Grapski “such an intimidating bully?”

This is the portion of the actual conversation with Watson on the Friday when we first met to discuss getting access to the public records on the election. The following Monday, when I arrived for an appointment we made to view those records, Watson arrested me under the felony wiretap statute.

He stated that 1) He was “secretly” recorded (which I believe the above transcripts proves was untrue); 2) He “objected” to the recording (which is also not supported by the transcript); and 3) he did not consent to the recording (which is clearly untrue).

All of which should be irrelevant since he was a public official acting on public business with the very members of the public who made the recording in plain sight of the public official.

See the rest of the story - with Watson’s actual sworn statement (contradicting the transcript) and his memos (which contradict each other).

The question is - given the fact that: 1) Eileen McCoy, the only other witness to these events, was called into the State Attorney’s office and asked what happened the day I was arrested - she told the State Attorney that what Watson swore to arrest me was “a lie”; and 2) the State Attorney has had the audio recording of this conversation for over a month - proving it was a lie.

So, wHy has the State Attorney not dropped the charges against me (when he has the evidence that Watson lied to arrest me - he has not formally charged me); and Why has the State Attorney refused to accept a sworn complaint against Watson for perjury and filing a false police report?

And for a really shocking look at local attempts to “frame” (not done very well) issues by the Republican party - you have to take a look at the Republican Party attack site (http://thetruthaboutheala.blogspot.org).

Forgetting for a minute that the ALA is not “terrorism” or “communism” (it is a group of concerned Alachua citizens from all political affiliations that stood up to the corruption these past several years - only to be constantly attacked for it); and that I am not a member of the ALA (that doesn’t seem to matter - the ALA = communism = terrorism to these people. Or they are desperate to try and make that connection).

But you have to see the way they try to spin the past few days - in an attack on me made by Stafford Jones (even quoting this blog), the Chairman of the Alachua County Republican Party (who, by the way, claims it is a lie that the REC is going “after me” - problem is - Stafford himself has stated this to other Republicans, and the name of the REC member and former Sheriff who contacted a friend of mine seeking to get his assistance setting me up in a compromising situation is Keith McInnis) …

… but most importantly you want to see the new thing allegedly written by Clovis Watson entitled “What did I miss”. You will really begin to see how desperate these actors are becoming down here and how volatile the situation is becoming, particularly after the refiling of the lawsuit with the allegations and the embarrasment of the Republican Party being outed with its plants inside of the Democratic party (their planned rally never took place as a result).

It is truly getting frightening to a lot of people down here - they are not sure what these people are capable of - and they are in jeopardy of losing power (perhaps even their freedom) and there are multi-millions of dollars at stake. The one thing I have to agree with, I believe listener said it, is that the one saving factor is that you guys have kept a national eye on this situation. (THey are very perturbed by this fact).