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Sheriff David Morgan Denies Allegations Made In Federal ‘Sex Ring’ Lawsuit Against Him
July 3, 2019
CLICK HERE FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY.
A federal civil lawsuit against Sheriff David Morgan alleges he was involved in a sex ring and then took steps to halt an internal affairs investigation.
Leah and Doug Manning were convicted in state court for sexual activities that included their own underage daughters. Escambia County deputies Mark Smith and Walter Thomas were also charged. Smith was found not guilty, and Thomas was sentenced to 30 years. Leah Manning was sentenced to 25 years, and Doug Manning received 30 years in state prison.
Manning, at the time, worked as a nurse for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Now legal age adults, the twin daughters are suing Morgan. Morgan is adamantly denying the allegations, and Wednesday afternoon held joint press conference and meeting with all personnel not on active duty protecting the public.
The lawsuits allege Morgan “tolerated the sexual activities” with deputies and other ECSO employees “because of his friendship and personal relationship with mother (Leah Manning).”
Leah Manning claimed, according to a court document, that she had sex with Morgan on about five occasions, and that there is video that shows a half-naked Morgan in a hotel bed. She also claims the family dog was named “David” after the sheriff.
Morgan said he has never had contact with the Mannings and he had no supervision or influence on the investigation. The case was not directly investigated by the ECSO; it was handled by the State Attorney’s Office.
“I haven’t met someone, how can I have sex with them?” the sheriff said Wednesday. He also denied the video claim, and denied that he ever had any contact with the Mannings. The alleged video has not been made available.
During the investigation, phone numbers of a number of deputies were found in Leah Manning’s phone, including a number for Morgan.
Morgan said Thursday that the number in the Manning’s phone was his official cell number, not his personal cell or a landline. He said the investigation revealed that none of these numbers had contact with Manning’s phone.
“This whole case is fueled by rumors and innuendos and Facebook postings,” the sheriff said, “where a lie repeated often enough becomes the truth.”
Morgan’s attorneys are arguing that he should not required to give a deposition in the lawsuits.
Court filings say “Plaintiffs have failed to establish any reason why the deposition of the Sheriff is required, except for the purpose of a fishing expedition for irrelevant information. All of their claims against the Sheriff are in his official capacity regarding the policies and practices of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Such information can be obtained through other discovery and/or the depositions of lesser ranking officials.”
Comments
21 Responses to “Sheriff David Morgan Denies Allegations Made In Federal ‘Sex Ring’ Lawsuit Against Him”
Morgan is a BULLY and was a BULLY even before he became Sheriff. He fired or forced retirement on several good deputies. He has deputies writing tickets instead of fighting the real crime in the county. While our crime rate goes up. He also keeps the media from telling everyone that their are drive by shooting every night. He tries to ruin anyone that doesn’t agree with him. I don’t know if he is guilty of this
or not But Karma will get you every time!!
This is just too obvious this is the kind of stuff that keeps good people from running in these kind of positions not only is this obvious it hurts everybody now see how much money and time will be wasted what a shame
So now that he so willingly did a press conference now the judge denied his request to keep it it sealed. There are other cases on the Escambia clerk site that he and chief cause internal investigations to be thwarted on completely different issues in the district court. Is this why they were Mo Money Morgan Haines and Mr Emmisary ? How much is this costing the taxpayers?
Can’t see it and don’t believe it.
Somebody is wanting fame and money. Throw out the STUPID lawsuit.
@Steve He has given us the highest violent crime rate the ten long years he’s been in office. Also, he obviously cannot manage a budget. Why do you buy brand new monster 8 cylinder gas guzzling suvs when you claim you don’t have any money to give deputies pay raises. He goes above and beyond for us.
Morgan’s denial was PITIFUL.
If these accusations are true, I have lost my discernment and am not a good judge of character. I think some do not like the sheriff as he is not “like the others.” To me, this is not a bad thing. I have met this man and have talked with him on more than one occasion, and like him very much. Do not believe this mess at all. I repeat………..I do not believe these accusations.
In a republic, all are equal under the same rule of law. All Americans are entitled to the protection of our bill of rights. If there is evidence to support these charges, a jury must decide if a crime has been committed. If the jury indicts, then all enjoy a fair trial by thier peers, and the protection of the Constitution
We The People are the rightful masters of government, and allegations against an elected official must be investigated
But we have the right to know if these allegations bear merit
This accusation is as a sieve…it won’t hold water! Convicts are as a scab on society, always ugly, never solving anything and always causing discomfort to someone!
I respect him for speaking out letting people know his side, if he’s innocent then nothing will be found. Back in the late 60’s it did happen that an officer was messing with some girls but it was covered up. Because so much has gone on in our world people accuse others of things for their own gain, these people are sick. I do hate that his name is going to be ruined if this isn’t true.
“I did NOT have sexual relations with that woman”!
Did some of y’all even read the news releases, it’s not Leah and Doug Manning shining it’s the victims who are now adults that are suing and seeking justice for what they went through. This is our problem in America we never want to believe the victims especially if the accusation is against a powerful man..
@ Steve—’ just about all’. It’s all or none. LOL
Come on now, this is so fake. Do your time in prison and leave a good man alone.
I don’t believe it at all. The Mannings used their kids in that sex scandals. I don’t believe Morgan would ever stoop this low.
People will say and do anything with NOTHING backing it up.
Take for instance the 2 EYE witnesses that saw a deputy shoot a chicken out the window of his truck..
WHEN the VIDEO shows nothing of the sort happened.
The Sheriff has been above board on just about all matters and I am sure those that yap off about him know NOTHING but want to cause problems.
Give him a lie detector test an be done
Uh-oh, this looks like trouble!
What did I write the day of the cross article? Lol. Some people have been after the sheriff since his first election. One thing is surely the truth. Repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth. Anyone can file a paper in court.
Not unusual for someone incarcerated to make such claims.
Desperate for anyway to get a reduced sentence and take someone down with them.
It still will be investigated just the same at taxpayers expense.