Sun 'N Fun Accused Of Trespassing

As in years past, a criminal complaint was filed with the Winter Haven (FL) PD, on Tuesday, after a representative of the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In trespassed onto ANN office property, defacing the office and harassing those inside -- despite specific orders to avoid such harassment, as has been conducted for the past several years.

The trespasser was warned that police were being called, and after defacing a door to the office, he fled before police could arrive.

This latest action, after years of ongoing harassment at ANN's home office and specific orders to avoid such actions, appears related to Sun 'n Fun's ongoing attempts to silence the criticism leveled against it by ANN Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell. Campbell has, at times, been highly critical of safety and ethical issues surrounding the event -- even though in 2004, Sun n' Fun allowed Campbell to walk in during the Fly-In -- having been escorted by several reporters and TV camerapersons. After a half hour of deliberations, involving several SnF senior staffers via the Press Check-In booth, Campbell was turned down for a Press Pass but was told he could buy a ticket... which he did.

When questioned later about the apparent change in attitude, SnF officials claimed that letting Campbell in had been "a mistake."

ANN Legal Counsel Phillip Kuhn agreed that the latest actions continued a lengthy pattern of harassment. Kuhn noted that Sun 'n Fun executives have demanded that Campbell not come to the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In (formerly known as the Sun 'n Fun EAA Fly-In before the growing rift between these organizations resulted in changes that included EAA's name being deleted). Should Campbell show up (even at the FAA Building controlled by the Federal Government... on Federal property, to speak with Federal officials), SnF has threatened Campbell with arrest and being charged with trespassing -- even though Federal Law enforcement officials confirm that he has the right to conduct business within a Federal building like any other citizen.

In the latest trespass incident, a Sun 'n Fun representative came on to ANN property without notice or permission. After being told to depart (and that the police were being called), he proceeded to tape copies of a letter authorized by Sun 'n Fun over an office door (like that shown below, from last year). Like last year, the tape adhered tightly enough that when it was removed, exterior paint was pulled off with it. In previous years, the damage has been worse, even to the point of damaging company vehicles.

After consultation with counsel, ANN has filed a criminal complaint with the Winter Haven Police Department. ANN will demand the full prosecution of all those involved.

Campbell noted that, "To our knowledge, Sun 'n Fun has no right to attempt access to our office property and should it be necessary to communicate with anyone at ANN, Sun 'n Fun officials are very well aware of the identity and location of our company's legal counsel, as they are in regular contact. The latest actions appear to be a continued attempt on the part of this embattled Fly-In to intimate and harass a journalist into ceasing criticism of the safety and ethical issues that have imperiled this declining event." 

ANN is currently in litigation with SnF over issues related to its continuing and legally questionable ban. A lawsuit has been pursued for several years and additional actions are anticipated before the matter is resolved.

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