Letter to Wayne Shelor
Author:
Morris Weinberg
| Date: | January 2, 1997 |
| Pages: | 2 |
ZUCKERMAN, SPAEDER, TAYLOR & EVANS, LLP
| RESIDENT IN FLORIDA RONALD B. RAVIKOFF MICHAEL S. PASANO MORRIS "SANDY" WEINBERG, JR. HUMBERTO J. PENA SHARON L. KEGERREIS THOMAS J. MEEKS MICHAEL STEVEN GREENE GUY A. RASCO STEPHEN J. BRONIS |
ATTORNEYS AT LAW 401 EAST JACKSON STREET SUITE 2525 TAMPA, FLORIDA 33602 (813) 221-1010 TELECOPIER (813) 223-7961 201 SOUTH BISCAYNE BOULEVARD MIAMI, FLORIDA 33131 (305) 579-0110 ONE EAST BROWARD BOULEVARD FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33301 (954) 356-0463 |
COUNSEL MELISSA MANNERSLEY CLARK LAURA L. VAUGHAN JENNIFER R. COSERLY JILL M. GRANAT CHRISTOPHER S. CARVER CHRISTYNO L. HAYES BEATRIZ C. COSCULLUELA ANTOLIN MESA RICARDO J. BASCUAS |
January 2, 1997
VIA TELECOPY
Mr. Wayne Shelor
Public Information Officer
Clearwater Police Department
644 Pierce Street
Clearwater, Florida 34616
Dear Mr. Shelor:
As I told you, I have been recently retained to represent the Church of Scientology regarding the ongoing investigation by the Clearwater Police Department into the death of Lisa McPherson. The Clearwater Police Department should direct any further requests of the Church of Scientology regarding this investigation to me.
I contacted you today after learning that you had agreed to an interview on January 3, 1997 regarding the investigation with Inside Edition. As someone who has a law enforcement background, I must tell you that a television interview by the police regarding an ongoing investigation, particularly with a tabloid television show, is irresponsible and inappropriate. Despite your feigned surprise by my call, it is no secret that your office has been the source of the recent press barrage on this investigation. The local news coverage has been incomplete, inaccurate and designed to play on the fears and ignorance of people who do not understand Scientology. The coverage has also been designed to create unsubstantiated speculation regarding my client.
The interview you intend to do tomorrow can only lead to more of the same. Recently, the FBI Director, Louis Freeh, announced a "no tolerance" policy for any employee of the FBI who talks to the press about ongoing investigations. His concerns were that innocent citizens can be hurt by law enforcement leaks (i.e. the
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January 2, 1997
Page 2
Atlanta Olympic bombing) and that investigations can be compromised by such leaks. These concerns should also be shared by the Clearwater Police Department.
The Clearwater Police Department should not engage in these sorts of tactics. I renew my request that neither you nor any other representative of the Clearwater Police Department give interviews to Inside Edition or any other news agency while this investigation is pending. Otherwise, it is clear to me that it is the intent of the Clearwater Police Departient to create an atmosphere of sensationalism rather than to conduct a fair investigation. I hope that you and your Department will cease these tactics of continuing to smear the Church of Scientology.
Very truly yours,
[signature]
Morris Weinberg, Jr.
MW:kmc
cc: Bernie McCabe, Esq.