Joe Mullins, the former Flagler County commissioner who called a fellow commissioner a “fat son of a bitch,” called for the beheading of liberals on WNZF, drew repeated calls for censure and who a then-Flagler County School Board member described as the “pied piper of hate, deception and fraud,” filed suit last week against FlaglerLive and its editor, Pierre Tristam, alleging libel.
The suit was filed by Mount Dora attorney Anthony Sabatini, the former member of the Florida House of Representatives, current Lake County commissioner, and a candidate for Congress who represented Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris in his failed bid to unseat Council member Charles Gambaro.
The suit claims that “Beginning in or around 2024, Defendants published and republished numerous false and defamatory statements concerning [Mullins] through articles appearing on FlaglerLive.com and related online platforms, among them a Nov. 18, 2024 article entitled “Joe Mullins, Disgraced in Flagler County, Declares Run for Waltz’s Congressional Seat.” (Mullins announced on the radio infomercial he buys on WNZF that he would run for the seat Waltz vacated when he became a member of the Trump administration, but Mullins did not run a campaign after Randy Fine quickly gained momentum.)
The article reports, the lawsuit states, that “among other things, that [Mullins] was ‘disgraced out of office,’ engaged in ‘outrageous behavior,’ and ‘belligerently tried to get out of a traffic stop by telling a cop that he ran Flagler County,’” and that he had “attempted to get out of a ticket months earlier in another county.” Mullins lost the 2022 primary to Commissioner Leann Pennington, who trounced him with 69 percent of the vote, one of the largest winning margins for a county commission seat in recent memory.
The suit claims that the “statements were false, misleading, and defamatory,” and that Mullins “did not improperly seek to evade law enforcement consequences, request preferential treatment, or misuse public office in connection with any traffic citation or law enforcement interaction.”
In fact, video evidence from the Florida Highway Patrol and Mullins’s own letters to judges, all linked in news stories reporting on his behavior, document the pattern previously reported.
The news reports on Mullins’s interactions with law enforcement, including his statement to a Florida Highway Patrol trooper that “I run the county,” were widely reported across the country and the globe after FlaglerLive broke the story, including by NBC News, People Magazine, the conservative New York Post, the liberal Huffington Post and Daily Kos, England’s populist Daily Mail, Yahoo News, and numerous other publications.
The suit also cites an August 2024 article reporting on Mullins properties in Georgia that were ordered into receivership. In 2022 Mullins himself had characterized himself in a signed court document as “insolvent,” “riddled with debt” and “potentially bankrupt.”
FlaglerLive stands by its reporting.
“It isn’t surprising that the man who spent his political career in Flagler County smearing others, FlaglerLive and me included, would file a SLAPP suit,” Tristam said, referring to so-called strategic lawsuits against public participation, which Florida law prohibits. “The reporting and its documentation speaks for itself, as does Mullins’s behavior.”
FlaglerLive is a nonprofit established as a news service in 2010.
“If Mullins is wondering why his political career crashed and burned in Flagler County he need only look in the mirror,” Steve Robinson, who heads FlaglerLive’s board of directors, said. “FlaglerLive’s reporting was scrupulously accurate and an essential service to the community.”
Me Again says
Sabatini must be running for something – he needs to be disbarred for filing so many frivolous lawsuits (pro-bono) during elections so he can get his name out there to in these districts. I would sue him personally and file a complaint against his license.
I wouldn’t sweat the small stuff aka Joe Mullins and Ed Danko. They don’t run the county anymore :)
Catherine says
People should Google Anthony Sabatini and Joel Greenberg ‘s names together and see what comes up.
Laurel says
I did.
“Anthony Sabatini has been criticized for his associations with Joel Greenberg, a convicted sex trafficker and fraudster, including accepting payments for legal services shortly after being admitted to the Florida Bar. This connection has led to accusations that Sabatini is “cozy with pedophiles.””
– Search Assist, orlandoweekly.com, Florida Politics
Same guy?
Glass houses and all that.
Eric Cooley says
Interesting…..a guy who patholigically lied about dozens of members of the community is mad when articles tell the truth about him. 🤔
Koyote says
Truth, Justice, or the MAGA way
Eva says
When will this county get free of this loser for good!! I sure hope Flagler Live sues back, hard.
Right says
This is what narcissists do.
Justbob says
Anthony Sabatini… The kind of attorney guaranteed to get your parking ticket reduced to vehicular homicide.
Merrill Shapiro says
The lawsuit is terrible news. But no nearly as terrible as the discovery that Joe Mullins is alive and well, still trying to tear down and destroy rather than build and establish.
In defamation matters, “truth is an absolute, complete defense. If the published statement is entirely or substantially true, it cannot be considered defamation. Minor inaccuracies that do not change the core damaging effect of the statement are also protected.”
Smitty says
Pierre
You did just what was expected of a true journalist. You reported the truth about Mullins as you have in the past on many subjects.
While I don’t always agree with your opinions, I find that I do look to Flagler Live for Local news regarding not just the local political goings on but also news from abroad, local interest, and the occasional humor.
Keep up the good work an fight this silly lawsuit to the fullest.
Keenan Hreib says
Stop wasting time and money to sue people while you incriminate yourself publicly every day. BOTOX costs money though. Have at it JOE.
Margie says
Hair transplants also cost money. He must be getting low.
Pogo says
All this time as a polyp in trump’s colon — and now mullins barks?
Sabatini, and his ilk, and plaintiffs like mullins, will start showing up everywhere like fleas after their egg cycle starts rolling.
Ain’t no damn coincidence either:
Cause and effect
https://apnews.com/article/trump-lawsuit-irs-leak-3729de38770b558be01712a143437bf8
The terror has begun: the awful power of the law become a cudgel in the fists of monsters.
The dude says
“the awful power of the law become a cudgel in the fists of monsters.”
It always has been.
It’s just being wielded in more nakedly political ways now…
Laurel says
And yet, none of Trump’s admin are willing to help, or apologize for the lack of help, to the women who, as girls, were trafficked by his buddies Epstein and Maxwell. You see, those girls were only worthy of “…grab them by the pussy.” Justice, Trump style. Punish the honest good; reward the loyal bad.
Trump gets away with crap on a daily basis. Why shouldn’t others, right? Not only does it work, he, and his like, have backers.
This is what your children will know, folks. This will be our legacy if allowed to continue.
celia says
Exactly a SLAPP….
Skibum says
Learning from and following in his maga daddy’s footsteps, maybe he will propose a settlement where he drops his lawsuit if FlaglerLive would pay 5 million dollars to local extremist groups. I wonder if he has already contacted the WH and put his made up grievances in, hoping to collect part of that 1.8 billion slush fund the DOJ has. Or ust maybe ole maga Joe is shopping for another bright red vette he can speed around in, thumbing his nose at law enforcement as he speeds down county roads.
Once a loser, ALWAYS a loser!
Jim says
I always thought Mullins was nothing but a jerk and bully. He also is a “sour grapes” kind of guy. Flagler Live will win this one going away.
I sincerely hope Flagler Live counter sues for libel and all court costs plus money for harassments. If there happens to be a law against having to deal with stupid, ignorant idiots, I’d sue on that as well.
Mullins ought to move elsewhere and try again. He has no credibility or respect around here.
The dude says
Mullins is broke.
Any restitution will need to come from the pro bono attorney.
BillC says
There’s your answer right there- Mullins is BROKE and trying to hustle up some cash with a lawsuit.
JimboXYZ says
Would appear this is Mullins attempt at a lottery win without actually having to pick the actual 6 numbers to win the lottery ? Whayever was said on record on video, be it on I-4, I-95 or even in the passenger seat of for a Mercedes Benz on Belle Terre (late for a dental appointment). He didn’t hesitate to flex his elected position for some type of back & forth banter with LEO’s (FHP or FCSO). Whatever he said in a council meeting, that’s probably on record still too. from what I gathered from news stories. Anything that was reported was public knowledge for documents filed with Courts & Government offices in the state of GA ? After failing to be re-elected he had no backup plan for employment and an income ? Disgraced ? I’d say he was voted out and the lopsided vote tally removing him is relatively embarrassing to lose that poorly in an election. He’s like the team that lost 59-10 on any given Saturday in a College Football game. His time was up for “running the county”. Reflecting back to anyone that was run out of town politically or even Government appointee/hire, those folks left & moved on. You know, like City Managers & the like ? I’d be surprised if Mullin’s won, they’re going to have to prove their case, Tristan is the defendant in this, Records should absolve Tristan & FlaglerLive. Too often Tristan links documents to stories. If they have hard copy of those documents Mullins & his attorney’s case will crumble. Seems like for many of the charges indicated, if airing that in a courtroom does anything, it’s going to be further “self inflicted” disgrace & embarrassment.
Ric Flair says
“Lottery win”……Do you think this ass clown posing as a journalist has any money? LMAO
JimboXYZ says
Desperate for money ? Never know who has deep pockets ?
“In 2022 Mullins himself had characterized himself in a signed court document as “insolvent,” “riddled with debt” and “potentially bankrupt.””
Per the linked document in the story, Mullins sounds a lot like Hunter Biden ?
Connie says
Does this surprise anyone? Mullins doesn’t know when to go away. What’s next, running for office again?
If this happens, just make sure to look around and see who he’s in cahoots with locally. It will tell you everything you need to know.
RobdaSlob says
I hope FlaglerLive is able to defend themselves. Lawsuits are not free, even if you win.
As noted by others I come to this site to read the differing perspective and the details not covered elsewhere…..and in this case calling it what it is. That can’t go away.
Suing media outlets is no loose for politicians. Trump and others have shown that flooding the zone is effective way to get everyone talking about what they want everyone to talk about. And in this case, unfortunately both FlagerLive (and I) have bought into it by putting energy into their blather.
Stand strong
Laurel says
Frivolous lawsuits. The main, mean method of bullying in the 2020s. Today’s harassment.
We already know that bullies are actually cowards. It appears that this Mullins guy takes his direction from the head coward.
Geez! I can’t imagine wanting to be known that way! What a sad soul, I think. So much hatred. So much self induced unhappiness.
Live on, FlaglerLive! There are many who support you!
Manny says
MAGA and the “don’t tread on me,” crowd are softer than melted ice cream. Every. Last. One.
Deborah Coffey says
AI: A SLAPP lawsuit (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) is a frivolous legal claim filed by powerful individuals or corporations to intimidate and silence critics. Instead of seeking justice, the goal is to drain the critic’s financial resources and force them to abandon their advocacy or free speech.
Joe Mullins = Donald Trump…except Joe Mullins has no power left at all, if he ever did.
Land of no turn signals says says
Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha
Gina Weiss says
Pierre,
Well, he sure talked alot of S**t about you. He also put your face on a insect
which was disgusting for him to do, numerous people
can attest to seeing that. He shot himself in his foot instead of taking
responsibility for his divisive remarks and insults this would have worked
out much better for him. He’s his worst enemy.
Keenan Hreib says
Absolutely Gina!! Very true. These MAGA idiots double down no matter how exposed they become. The floor of their foundational hatred crumbles below their feet, and instead of doing some reflection they lash out and spread more toxicity. Makes us all look bad.
Gina Weiss says
Anyone who continues to support maga are hateful, self absorbed,
self entitled people at their true core who hold their values under
the guise of good Christians and patriots. They are NOT good Christians
and they are NOT patriots, in fact they are treasonous to this country.
Callmeishmael says
Well, dang it, this Mullins dude keeps showing up in my digital newsfeed. They ought to name a herpes strain after him
CPFL says
Not a fan of Pierre, but damn I would stand with you on this being a bs filing. Pretty sure everyone saw the 95 video and had the same feelings about that.
Edith Campins says
Disgusting Mullins is at it again. Don’t settle, fight him every inch of the way. He is a loser and he will lose this time too.
Sherry says
Dear Pierre,
Surly there’s an excellent “honorable/ethical” attorney willing to step up pro bono and assist you in “wiping the floor” with such a despicable bully! Call the ACLU!
Unfortunately Maga cult members are learning from their fascist “king of the bullies” trump. Their strategy is to throw frivolous lawsuits against the wall, over and over . . . as it is “NOT” about “righting a wrong”, or even about winning. . . it’s all about the actual act of “bullying” itself!!! It all stems from their own insecurity and self loathing.
As I’ve said many times before, we are all in that same boat. . . our “rights and freedoms” are only as strong as the money it takes to protect them in a lawsuit. This is the “twisted fu@#$# up world” Maga has drug us all into now.
Please do whatever you can to put that absolute horror of a person in his place= the gutter!!!
If I were an attorney we would fight and win this together . . . at no financial cos to you! Keep The Faith Pierre! WE ALL NEED YOU AND SUPPORT YOU!
FlaPharmTech says
We are with Flaglerlive all the way….
Me says
Little Napoleon came out from under the rock to cause trouble which is all he is known for.
HereWeGoAgain says
Nothing says “I’m totally not hiding anything” like slapping a lawsuit on the local news outlet that keeps publishing… you know… facts about you. Bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if it works out better than the “I run the county” speech to the trooper. When the headlines won’t stop writing themselves, just sue the people writing them. Genius.
P to the did... says
What ever happened to the $ 2.4 million law suit against sleepy Joe for allegedly selling fake tickets to the Masters? This guy is like a bad rash, it just wont go away….
Laurel says
Did Joe Biden sell fake tickets to the Masters?
“Sorry, no relevant information was found in our search.” – Search Assist
Now, P, would you like to share where you got your information?
Sherry says
@ Laurel. . . I’m thinking P is referring to Joe Mullins, not Joe Biden:
https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/local/2021/04/22/flagler-county-vice-chair-joe-mullins-sued-over-tickets-masters-invalid-golf-travel-augusta/7332001002/
Laurel says
Oh, the “sleepy joe” got me.
As Emily Latella would say “Never mind.”
Al says
Such angry people in Flagler county. Must be all those yankees that moved down in the last 10 years. If Pierre had run a decent publication and allowed conservative views I’d support him but it’s a one trick pony and the trick is boring. As long as Flagler live continues to just be a liberal sounding post then I hope they lose, you libs still have reddit to attack people on.
The dude says
Yes all those MAGA moron yankees are angry, unpleasant people.
On this much we can agree.
Almost as angry, and unpleasant as the MAGA moron confederates who were born and raised here. But definitely a little smarter.
Callmeishmael says
And yet here you are, still reading FlaglerLive.
Malice intended.
Laurel says
Al does appreciate his freedom of speech here, but refuses to acknowledge it.
Sherry says
@al. . . Here you are again! Please do all the still “thinking/kind/caring/reasonable” folks a favor and peddle your despicable, hate filled comments on Newsmax or Breitbart where they will be appreciated. Thanks!
Sherry says
@al. . . Here you are again! Please do all the still “thinking/kind/caring/reasonable” folks a favor and peddle your despicable, hate filled comments on Newsmax or Breitbart where they will be appreciated. Thanks!
Only the “lowest of the LOW” spit in the eye of their HOST!
Ruth Ginsburg's half sister says
Shocked you post even saw the light of day. One trick pony indeed. Always good for a laugh though. This is an “opinion” site. Not a news site.
Sherry says
@ruth. . . FYI Flaglerlive most certainly is an “Award Winning” NEWS website! Simply because a few of those who comment in this space are illiterate/uninformed should not take away from the great value of the news publication itself.
Peter Wentworth says
So you are against free speech if it goes against your ideology? – Got it…
Sherry says
@al. . . Only the “Lowest of the Low” spit on the eye of their HOST!
Diana McLemore says
This is just hilarious. There are so many people who Mullins attempted to defame. Everybody knows Joe and his craziness and background. He ran the county after all.
Republican Dave says
Mullens is taking a page from Trump’s playbook to sue people, for publicity. Negative attention is better than no attention. Flagler Live leans a little to the left, but has always been fair. The pendulum of freedom swings both ways.
I am happy to help fund Flagler Live and Mr. Tristam, but I wonder who is funding Mullens.
The dude says
Look no further than the attorney of record if you want to know who’s holding the leash here.
Pogo says
Who feeds, and holds the leash, of mullins?
Just saying.
PaulT says
Corrupt, loud mouthed politicians and their frivoloss defemation suits are part and parcel of this age of follow my (crooked) leader in Trump’s Amerika.
The real question is, why would so many Flagler County residents vote for Joe Mullins if they disagreed with his stated views on social media and WNZF such as wishing that Flagler County liberals would be “chained,” “muzzled,” and loaded onto trains and rail cars to be shipped out of the county.
Joe Mullins’ supporters haven’t just melted away, they’re still here.
Laurel says
PaulT: Many just saw the “R” and didn’t bother to look any farther.
Now, those same folks are boxed in by the absurdity of it all, and so will do it again just to reclaim their “win.”
Hopefully, the enlightened ones will not.
Bill Lyon says
I found the following in the AUGUSTA PRESS, a local Augusta, GA, newspaper. I wonder if he is suing them, too?
“Date: August 30, 2024
By Joe Edge
Joe Mullins, a former candidate for the Georgia House of Representatives District 122 and one-term Flagler County, Fla., County commissioner, has had his Augusta-area assets seized by a court appointed receiver.”
“Mullins was accused by his former lender of breach of contract on May 7, 2024. According to an order signed by Judge Amanda Heath on Aug. 23, six of Mullins’ remaining assets have been taken over by a receiver. Mullins was represented in the action by local attorney Randy Frails.”
“Earlier in February, Mullins lost the Clara Point Apartments, formerly known as Applecross Apartments, to receivership. Those apartments sold June 14, 2024, for $4.25 million, considerably less than the $6 million Mullins owed according to public deed records.
The apartment complex had seen substantial deferred maintenance and unsafe living conditions. Mullins, however, stated in a news release on his website that all problems had been addressed.”
Margie says
The bad seed returns. No credible attorney would touch this. I think this idiot is going to find out his days were better as long as he wasn’t stirring up trouble. Rumors are abounding that he wants to run for the District 2 County Commission seat. Bring it on, Joe! What a sad little man you have become. This time County residents will take you down to your knees. You won’t be elected dog catcher here after what you pulled when the voters elected you last time.
Peter Wentworth says
Some time ago, I was considering suing Mullins for libel. He and I had gotten into a FaceBook argument and in the back and forth, he falsely claimed that I had been drummed out of the military for being a sexual predator. Of course that is nonsense and I have my DD-214 to prove it. Most people when they find I have been in the military give me a “Thank you for your service” Not so Mullins. He has never put on the uniform yet he used my military service to target me!
I saved a screen print of his libel with plans to sue him but figured I was too poor to hire a lawyer to go after him.
Ron says
This guy is certainly a fool. But do not compare him to our President.
But Flagler live should wake up also. If we really take a look at their articles and cartoons most of their comments are negative remarks against the Republican Party and our President.
Rarely do I see negative stories about Democratic’s.
Unfortunately most states being run by Democratic politicians are in trouble financially and riddled with corruption and fraud.
Sherry says
@ ron. . . If you are going to disparage Democrats, please do so with “credible and relevant FACTS and Evidence” instead of blanket statements. The hard working, excellent publisher and editor of this “award winning” news website publishes articles with FACTS. “ALL” states have problems, there is corruption from people in both parties.
However, everything is relative. One lie is simply NOT the same as 300 lies. If you cannot see, or refuse to see, that the trump administration is FAR beyond ANYTHING we have ever experienced in its corruption/immorality/dishonesty in many, many different ways there is no basis for discussion. Of course, I could list many, many facts for my own claims, but there simply would never be enough space.
Laurel says
Ron: Political cartoons usually bring forth the truth. It’s been that way since the invention of the Gutenberg press. These cartoons rarely support one sidedness, and are very rarely cherry picked. Editors do not care to post lies. It would help you to meditate on that for awhile.
Laurel says
Did Joe Biden sell fake tickets to the Masters?
“Sorry, no relevant information was found in our search.” – Search Assist
Now, P, would you like to share where you got your information?
The dude says
“sleepy Joe” = little joe mullins in this case… I believe.
Laurel says
Having a bit of a problem with no posting turning into duplicate postings. But thanks, Dude, got it.
Laurel says
Ron: Political cartoons usually bring forth the truth. It’s been that way since the invention of the Gutenberg press. These cartoons rarely support one sidedness, and are very rarely cherry picked. Editors do not care to post lies. It would help you to meditate on that for awhile.