GROVELAND, Fla. — Groveland Police Chief Shawn Ramsey filed a lawsuit Friday against the City of Groveland, alleging city officials retaliated against him after he submitted written whistleblower complaints reporting what he believed were violations of law, misuse of public office, abuse of governmental authority and other governmental misconduct.
The 29-page complaint, obtained by Inside Lake, was electronically filed through Florida’s e-filing portal late Friday afternoon. The filing was still pending clerk acceptance Friday evening. The lawsuit alleges the city violated Florida’s Public Whistle-blower’s Act by subjecting Ramsey to repeated investigations, publicly exposing him as the whistleblower, undermining his authority and attempting to manufacture disciplinary issues after he made the protected disclosures.
According to the complaint, Ramsey submitted three signed, written whistleblower complaints in late 2025 and early 2026 alleging suspected violations of law, Sunshine Law violations, misuse of public office, misuse of public resources, gross mismanagement and interference with city administration and police department operations.
Ramsey is seeking a jury trial, damages, attorney’s fees, employment-related relief, and a court order prohibiting further retaliation. He is represented by Anthony Sabatini of Sabatini Law Firm, P.A.
