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Daily Outtakes: Jonathan Owens lied, so did Bart Siders

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Some media may report that State Attorney Ginger Madden cleared former Escambia County Commissioner Doug Underhill’s aide of any crime related to the personal text messages of Commissioner Jeff Bergosh.

Background: In 2023, the PNJ reported that Owens had given former County Medical Director Rayme Edler’s attorneys a spreadsheet containing 60,000 of Bergosh’s text messages.

How did Owens get the files – which were a combination of personal and public emails?

Owens told PNJ reporter Jim Little when Siders asked him about the files:

“I said a thumb drive showed up in my office when I was still working at the county, and lo and behold, it had all Commissioner Bergosh’s text messages on it.”


The Truth

According to the letter from Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille, dated Sept. 4, Owens’ tale was a lie.

Under oath, Siders told the state attorney’s office:

After Bergosh complimented Siders and his staff for helping him with his phone during a public meeting, he received a telephone call from someone who said he wanted to remain anonymous but was making a public request for the data downloaded from Bergosh’s phone.

Even though the caller did not identify themselves, Siders recognized the voice was Jonathan Owens.

Siders said that he did not review or redact any confidential or exempt material that provided information contained private communications and personal identification information, not subject to public records request.


Why No Charges Filed?

Marcille gave nuanced reasons for not prosecuting Owens for the unlawful possession of the personal identification of another person.


BART SIDERS

Siders was a disciple of former County Administrator Janice Gilley and blamed Bergosh for her firing in June 2021.

In November 2023, I asked Bergsoh on “Real News with Rick Outzen” if he questioned former IT director Bart Siders about how the data could have been downloaded undetected off the servers under his supervision. Sider resigned in August 2022. That past summer, the county asked the FBI to investigate the matter.

Siders lied to his friend and assistant coach, Jeff Bergosh.


Why would Owens and Siders lie about transferring the text messages if they both believe they acted lawfully?

The goal was to end Bergosh’s political career, regardless of Florida law or ethics. 

August 20 GOP Primary
Steve Stroberger: 4,801
Jeff Bergosh: 3,260

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