FDLE Confirms Escambia County Administrator’s Office Was Bugged Illegally

December 2, 2020

Authorities have confirmed that an illegal listening device – commonly called a bug — was found in the office of Escambia County Administrator Janice Gilley.

Gilley said she requested that her office be swept for a bugs after details of a private conversation were leaked to the public. The device, which had both audio and video capabilities, was discovered during the summer. The entire fourth floor of the Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building was swept, but no other devices were located. The offices of the county attorney and the five county commissioners are located on the floor.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed that the bug was found, and that they launched an investigation on August 1. That investigation was closed September 30 due to a lack of further information.

Comments

9 Responses to “FDLE Confirms Escambia County Administrator’s Office Was Bugged Illegally”

  1. wise years on December 3rd, 2020 10:34 am

    Follow the money folks… what type of people/organization make the most money dealing with the county? BIDDERS on ROADS! Somebody wanted to get the inside scoop on bids for roads/bridges… sound logical?

  2. John Anderson on December 3rd, 2020 1:42 am

    So she’s totally ok with FDLE, a state law enforcement agency of formidable investigative resources, simply closing the case without a suspect or reasonable conclusion?
    I’m not buying it. Ask yourself if you would be ok with it if you were in her shoes.

    There’s no way an eavesdropping device is found in a government office and the case is closed without a lead. It just doesn’t work like that.

    This case was either handed off to a federal agency or for other reasons that are sensitive and/or embarrassing to Ms Gilley. Perhaps it was a lawfully placed device from another LE agency. Maybe it was placed by someone she knows for personal reasons. Who knows? FDLE knows, that’s who.

    If the case is officially closed then it’s public record and available to anyone. Why isn’t the news media combing through the data? A hunch tells me there’s a good story here and one that somebody doesn’t want told. Why aren’t reporters salivating to run with it? Taxpayers deserve the answers.

  3. Hmmm on December 2nd, 2020 12:37 pm

    Creepy!

  4. Tom on December 2nd, 2020 11:19 am

    I believe this is one of those instances where you always need to bring in an outside source rather than use your own police force. It is very serious and needs to be investigated by an independent source, heck doesn’t Pensacola have a local FBI field office for things like this. This is way above a police or Detectives pay grade. Bring in a professorial private crew or the Feds.

  5. Kate on December 2nd, 2020 7:46 am

    This is a woman of great moral value, honesty and sincerity. I have met with her and believe in her as a respectful public servant. I have seen her work Saturdays, Sundays and late at night to perform her duties in a manner that is above reproach. Stop being so cynical, and hypocritical of people who actually work hard to serve.

  6. john on December 2nd, 2020 7:41 am

    All the FDLE had to do is plant thair own surveillance camera and sit back and wait for the perpetrator to arrive and collect their device. Then jump out like Scooby and Shaggy throw a blanket over that ghost!!!

  7. Curious George on December 2nd, 2020 6:48 am

    Some questions I’d like FDLE to determine answers and news reporters to follow up on are:

    What motive does someone have to eavesdrop on her?
    Could she have planted it herself for some reason? Seeking attention, distraction?
    Did one of the commissioners plant it?
    What’s going on in her personal life that may give someone motive to plant a listening device? Did they have access to her office?
    How did she find the device and what if any, other suspicious activity has she noticed?
    Has she ever made this type of allegation or similar allegations (being followed, watched, etc.) before?

    Let’s be honest, she’s a county administrator and not someone of great influence. Who really cares what she says privately in her office?

    Anyone want to bet this story quietly fades away without an arrest or believable conclusion?

  8. Anne on December 2nd, 2020 6:33 am

    @ Just Saying

    Agree, odder than strange that “FDLE” seems to have abandoned their investigation.
    Makes one wonder what was really going on and who placed the device…

  9. Just saying on December 2nd, 2020 1:37 am

    Sounds like the Watergate plumbers retired to Pensacola.

    Hard to believe they can’t track down the source of the leak and installation of surveillance devices.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News