TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Fight For Principle Could Prove Costly

ADVERTISEMENT

By MIKE SALINERO msalinero@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 11, 2008

TAMPA - High school government teacher Gordon Johnston said he was fighting for his constitutional right against unreasonable government searches when he filed suit to stop pat-downs for fans attending Buccaneers games at Raymond James Stadium.

Now he might have to pay a price for his beliefs.

The Tampa Sports Authority, which runs the stadium, has filed papers with the U.S. District Court to recover $4,529 in court costs from Johnston.
Sports authority attorney Rick Zabak said when a judgment is reversed on appeal, the party that wins is entitled to court costs, including a filing fee and court recorder costs. Johnston had initial success with his suit - for three years, Raymond James Stadium has been the only NFL stadium without the pat-downs - but the sports authority ultimately prevailed in the courts.

This Sunday's game between the Bucs and the Carolina Panthers will be the first since 2005 where stadiumgoers will be subject to the pat-downs.

Fans are urged to come early to avoid delays caused by the searches.

The sports authority will deploy 175 people to conduct the searches. The workers will use the back of their hands to search people above the waist. Male and female workers will search only members of their own sex.

Bags will be searched and fans will be asked to remove their hats.

The National Football League started requiring the pat-downs for all NFL games in August 2005. Johnston filed suit after the second game of the 2005 season.

Hillsborough Circuit Court in Tampa ordered an injunction stopping the searches Nov. 2, 2005. Two weeks ago, the U.S. District Court in Tampa lifted the injunction.

Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT