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Lafave Co-Worker's Parents Upset Teenager's Name Was Disclosed

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By MIKE WELLS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 16, 2007

Updated: 12/15/2007 11:34 pm

TAMPA - The chitchat between convicted sex offender Debra Lafave and a 17-year-old co-worker at Danny Boy's restaurant that landed the ex-teacher back in jail on a probation violation was essentially harmless, say the teen's lawyers.

But the disclosure of the girl's name this month by the Department of Corrections in documents regarding Lafave's probation violation was harmful, the lawyers said.

Attorneys Scott Fitzpatrick and Daniel Hartzog issued a statement Saturday saying the conversations between their client and Lafave were "customary, age appropriate in nature, non-offensive and typical" of the kinds of work-related and personal talks co-workers would have.

However, the attorneys said the release of the girl's name "dramatically affected the minor's life and the lives of her immediate family members."

They didn't elaborate.

The girl was a co-worker of Lafave's for two years and they had a "good and professional relationship," the attorneys said.

The teen's family retained attorneys to look into why her name, address and date of birth was released to the public by DOC.

"We believe that such unauthorized disclosure was made in violation of Florida law," the attorneys said.

A phone message left for a DOC spokesman for comment was not returned.

Reporter Mike Wells can be reached at (813) 259-7839 or mwells@tampatrib.com.

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