PI spys on doc, lucky no prision says kevins security scrapbook

FL - A private investigator linked to illegal electronic surveillance of some doctors at the Florida Eye Institute in early 2008 has entered a plea that could spare her jail time.

Brenda Doan Johnson, of the 3400 block of Atlantic Boulevard, pleaded no contest on Tuesday as part of a deal reached with the State Attorney’s Office, her attorney, Andrew Metcalf said... Outside Hawley’s courtroom, Johnson tearfully said she apologizes to doctors Karen Todd, Val Zudans and Mark Gambee.


“I didn’t know this was illegal,” she said. A private investigator linked to illegal electronic surveillance of some doctors at the Florida Eye Institute in early 2008 has entered a plea that could spare her jail time.

Brenda Doan Johnson, of the 3400 block of Atlantic Boulevard, pleaded no contest on Tuesday as part of a deal reached with the State Attorney’s Office, her attorney, Andrew Metcalf said.

Circuit Judge Robert Hawley is scheduled to sentence her 1:30 p.m. Feb. 11.

None of the doctors were present as she entered the plea.

Outside Hawley’s courtroom, Johnson tearfully said she apologizes to doctors Karen Todd, Val Zudans and Mark Gambee.

“I didn’t know this was illegal,” she said.

The criminal case is the only one to come out of a deep disagreement between former Florida Eye Institute partners that led to a civil lawsuit and a breakup of the partners.

Doctors Zudans, Todd and Thomas Baudo successfully filed a multi-million-dollar civil lawsuit against then institute founder and director Dr. Paul Minotty, claiming he committed business fraud and unlawfully intercepted communications and invaded privacy at work.

A civil jury found Minotty liable for both, according to court records in the 2008 case.

Only Johnson was arrested on criminal charges.

In court on Tuesday, Assistant State Attorney Richard Seymour said Minotty brought in Johnson in 2007 after he became concerned that some of the doctors in the practice were out to get him.

“He felt like his physical life was in jeopardy,” Seymour told Hawley.

And, said Metcalf, “Minotty sought out Johnson and hired her.”

She said she hired a Melbourne security consultant who installed surveillance cameras in doctors’ offices at the institute on Indian River Boulevard.

When she found out that was illegal, she asked the Melbourne consultant to pull the equipment out, Metalf said.

But by then Gambee was tipped the survellance equipment was in place and police were called in to investigate, Metcalf said.

Initially Johnson defended Minotty, Metcalf said.

And what happened in the civil case is not a defense in the criminal case, Metcalf said.

Seymour could not be reached for comment after the hearing.

Johnson pleaded no contest to eight counts of unlawful interception of communications. Each is punishable by up to five years in jail and a $5,000 fine, Hawley said.

Under the plea arrangement, she will not face any jail time if she abides by the agreement that includes not working as a private investigator
(Kevin's Security Scrapbook: PI claims "I didn't know" & cops a plea ...zzzzz