January 27, 2023.

The law firm of DefendBrevard.com has filed a lawsuit against Sheriff Wayne Ivey and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office for defamation and intentional and reckless infliction of emotional distress on behalf client David Gay.

Mr. Gay was featured on the Sheriff’s ‘Wheel of Fugitive’ show which is modeled after the ‘Wheel of Fortune’ game show. The wheel spins to rock and roll music and features up to ten alleged fugitives. The person selected by the wheel becomes the fugitive of the day.

Plaintiff David Gay was featured on the ‘Wheel of Fugitive’ show four times. He was incarcerated in the Brevard County Jail on all four dates. Mr. Gay was in jail for violating his probation by being arrested for a second case that was later dismissed. Prior to his arrest, he was compliant with law enforcement. When he was released from jail, Mr. Gay, who is not a convicted felon, lost a job because his employer saw him on the ‘Wheel of Fugitive’ show.

“The lawsuit was filed because right is right and wrong is wrong,” said Jessica J. Travis, lead attorney with DefendBrevard.com. “The rules apply to all of us – even elected public servants. We cannot defame other people or paint them in a false light. The wheel shouldn’t be padded with people who are not fugitives. No one has the right to cause compliant citizens to lose their jobs or live in fear of confrontation or arrest; not even the Sheriff.”
The Complaint alleges a total of twelve counts: Counts 1 to 4 – Defamation against Sheriff Wayne Ivey; Counts 5 to 8 – Defamation against Brevard County Sheriff’s Office; Count 9 – Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress against Sheriff Wayne Ivey; Count 10 – Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress against Brevard County Sheriff’s Office; Count 11 – Reckless Infliction of Emotional Distress against Sheriff Wayne Ivey; and Count 12 – Reckless Infliction of Emotional Distress Against Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

Attached to the Complaint is a list of other people who were also featured on the Sheriff’s ‘Wheel of Fugitive’ show despite the fact that they were either in jail or had no warrant. Coincidentally, the wheel never landed on these people. It always landed on someone who had an outstanding warrant at the time the episode aired.

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