“Madison 9” Attorney Announces Suit Against State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The attorney for those known as the “Madison Nine” for being defendants in a north Florida voting-fraud case says he plans to sue the Florida Department of Law Enforcement over their arrests.

Attorney Benjamin Crump of Tallahassee appeared Tuesday outside Gov. Rick Scott’s office in the Capitol to announce his plans. Madison County’s top elections official and a school board member are among those charged.

Crump said the arrests were wrongful and done with improper force. FDLE has maintained the arrests were lawful.

Supervisor of Elections Jada Woods Williams is charged in an absentee-ballot scheme to help elect school board member Abra “Tina” Johnson in 2010. Johnson also faces charges. Gov. Rick Scott has suspended both of them.

Madison is about 50 miles east of Tallahassee.

Source: Associated Press