'Sunshine' groups ordered to pay court costs

The two groups that sued Sarasota County because of its baseball negotiations were ordered today to pay the county’s court costs.

Judge Robert Bennett decided that Sarasota Citizens for Responsible Government and Citizens for Sunshine must reimburse the county $19,611 — a portion of its legal fees in fighting the lawsuit.

Bennett ruled in July that county commissioners inadvertently violated Sunshine Laws by discussing baseball negotiations in e-mail exchanges with each other. He did not order any sanctions against the commissioners.

The Florida Supreme Court affirmed that ruling in October.

The county had asked for about $30,000 to be awarded, but the judge ruled the county could not be reimbursed for video and shipping services related to the lawsuit.

Contact Robin Roy at [email protected].