DCF spokesman met victim on job

The former spokesman for the Florida Department of Children and Families, now facing child pornography charges, met one of his two male teenage victims through his job, the agency's leader confirmed Monday.

The victim, who was 16 or 17 at the time of the crimes, was in the custody of the DCF when he met Al Zimmerman, who was fired upon his arrest Friday on eight charges of using a child in a sexual performance, DCF Secretary Bob Butterworth said during an afternoon news conference.

"There are indications," Butterworth said, "at least one victim he met through his job."

Butterworth declined to say anything further about the victim, who likely came into the state's supervision after an abuse or neglect complaint was lodged against a parent or guardian. Read more here.

Comments

DEAR LORD.

You simply could not make this stuff up. One of the problems with DCF, is that the agency actually attracts dysfunctional employees. Thus, you have dysfunctional employees taking care of dysfunctional kids.

11:28,

That’s the most idiotic post I’ve read in a while.

[terminator]

the question is: "what did Charlie know and when did he know it" (since he gave this douchbag a reference to get the job).

Sounds kind of funny that a former BayNews 9 reporter gets appointed to Sumter County DFC spokesperson and the next year somehow magically ends up as the state DFC spokesperson in Tally working directly under Butterworth?

He must have had some pull from somewhere to get that post.

Does this pass the smell test? What top state politician hails from the Bay area and probably knew this guy pretty well when he was AG or Ed Commish?

Calling Charlie.....somewhere over Phoenix?

[Scott Gunsaullus]

The missing part of this story is how he ended up being hired in the first place. In addition to not having a background check, Zimmerman was also not required to submit a standard state employment application. None of his former employers were contacted before or after DCF hired him.

To me, this looks like a clear cut case of patronage gone wrong.

Zimmerman had connections with then Attorney General Charlie Christ, the Tampa Police Department, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and Brighthouse Cable Networks. It appears that he dropped a few of these names on his resume and that's all it took to land a fulltime job with DCF.

Instead of being hired based on merit, experience and background, Zimmerman was hired based on his high profile connections. Hiring policy was disregarded and overlooked. Favors were called in. Based on my experience with state government, it's safe to say this isn't an isolated incident.

Unfortunately, for everyone concerned, this is what you might call a "worst case scenario."

[Jim Johnson]

Well, where exactly do you expect perps to meet kiddies? Scouts, schools, DCF, kiddie clubs, Big Buddies, pediatricians. The usual suspects.

There is more to come from DCF. One top level manager was protected for years even when she showed up for work drunk and constantly made late night abusive DCF related phone calls while she was under the influence. But the rules are written so she was held harmless since she agreed (on one than one occassion) to seek treatment. It took a directive from the former Governor's office to get her removed. I have first hand knowledge of a current top level DCF manager who had a long term relationship with one of Florida's most notorious perverts. DCF is a cess pool of deceit, underhanded dealing and putrid vindictiveness. Meanwhile the DCF inspector general is running off on investigative jihads to crush political adversaries. When the lid comes off DCF, expect plenty of roaches to run for cover. DCF is in a horrible mess. Even Secretary Butterworth admits this in private. It is time for a Grand Jury to take a close look at DCF - its people, practices and failed mission to protect Florida's children. What is keeping Governor Crist from acting?

[carlene wilusz]

the more I learn about dcf the more I feel sick, the people destory more family and children than they could ever help in a life time. there was a time when I had respect for this organitision but not any more, I could never see myself calling these people under any condition. ai could not live with my self if I put a child through the abuse that they do, and call it protection