Gary Pinnell reports:
The wrongful termination lawsuit by three Highlands County employees was dismissed last week in Fort Myers by U.S. District Court Judge Jose Martinez.
Treasa Handley, Jared Lee and Christine Edwards sued the county after they were fired for sending sexually laced instant messages to each other. Eleven other county employees were disciplined for inappropriate instant messaging.
The three contended the county violated the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, their U.S. and Florida constitutional due process rights, and their right to privacy.
Martinez granted a motion for summary judgment, meaning he dismissed the case without a trial. The Electronic Communications Privacy Act “does not apply to the defendants in this case,” the judge wrote.
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