Should she get $2.7 million?

A North Florida woman who says the state Department of Education discriminated against her because she’s a Christian would get $2.7 million in relief from the state under a bill filed by Sen. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge.

Posey filed the bill in August on behalf of Karen “Kay” Stripling, an evangelical Christian who alleged in a lawsuit filed in June that she and her company, Read & Lead, were targeted by DOE officials in 2003 and 2004 during a “witch hunt” of faith-based providers – a witch hunt that led to an FBI investigation and the threat of a federal indictment (see St. Petersburg Times story here and Gradebook post here.) According to the bill language, DOE offered to pay Stripling $163,000.

Posey’s bill was referred to the Senate rules committee in September. Stripling’s lawsuit was served Oct. 23. An FBI spokesman told The Gradebook in July that matters referenced in Stripling’s suit are now the subject of a wider investigation. He said Monday night that the investigation is ongoing.

- Ron Matus, state education reporter

Comments

[James Copeland]

Having heard the sorted details of actions by the SBOE over a period of time in which Ms Stripling defended herself from allegations intended to impugn her character and destroy her ability to work in the future I would say that she deserves all that she is seeking. I will add that I am not an evangelical Christian and do not support faith based teaching but do support those that have such beliefs.

Too bad the DOE does not have an independent investigator take a look at how they handled this situation. Lost records that included social security nubmers of hundreds of poor Floridians, changing contract terms without approval of contractor nor notification of contractor, missing funds within DOE?! If this had been a corporations you can bet their lobbyists would be pounding on doors and getting the money they were promised. THe SBOE should order the DOE to settle and move on before all the horrid details get publicized.

[Diana O'Bryan]

What the Florida DOE did to Dr. Stripling is inexcusable. If they are allowed to go "unpunished" who can tell who will be next. If the Florida legistlature does not do something to correct this situation they are as accountable as the Department.

[Robert Reynolds]

Another sad commentary to this story is also the fact that you are "guilty" until proven innocent.Ms. Stripling has had to use all her personal funds to defend herself against these allegations made by the Department of Education. "Never pick a fight with someone who buys their ink by the barrel" as the saying goes. The Goverment can spend taxpayer dollars until the cows come home pursing this matter against her. I'm sure her legal bills to date exceed what DOE has proposed as a settlement.I do not know if this reaches the height of a calculated witch hunt by DOE, but it certainly appears that DOE acted inappropriately on several levels.Good for Sen. Posey. The truth will surface soon.

[Ralph Hippard]

Having known Kay for a number of years, I know her to be honest and God fearing. She was hired to do a job and didnt get paid by her employer, the state. I think there is way too much mud slinging going on and someone needs to focus on the fact this person did the work and should get paid for her services. This would never happen in the private sector as there are laws againt this sort of thing. I guess government does have too much power.

I know afer hearing her story, I will never trust our state government again.

Good luck Kay, I am praying for you.

Ralph Hippard

[Walter A. Sudymont]

Having hear Dr.Stripling out, I understand that indeed their is the possibility of a very underhanded attempt to falsely accuse her. Ruining her professional career, maligning her character and threatening to send her to prison.
While all of this needs to be argued and resolved, the attempt at maligning her is enough to warrant the settlement, forget the subject matter.
While the subject matter is serious, the possibility of serious misdeeds carried out by members of our "government" certainly deserve scrutiny.
In fact I have asked Dr. Stripling to consider a new career. Speaking to faith based organizations about this entire affair. I firmly believe, that once the truth got out to the people Non Christian and Christian alike would be outraged and demand that action be taken to locate and hold responsible the parties involved.
What I heard from Dr. Stripling is a story of Government Gone Wild ! I wish her all the best, may the real truth win out.

Regards,

Walter A. Sudymont

She shouldn't get a single penny. Is she calling John Winn or Jim Horne the anti-Christian attack dogs. What a joke.

[Chris W]

Hmmm. A witch hunt of "faith based" providers by a DOE run by and staffed with Jeb! Bush supporters?

It's a wonder the Senate didn't laugh itself sick when Posey filed his bill.