american news san diego complaint 0808121

7/31/2019 American News San Diego Complaint 0808121

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT

AMERICAN NEWS AND INFORMATION )

SERVICES, INC., a Connecticut corporation, )EDWARD A. PERUTA, and JAMES C. PLAYFORD, ) COMPLAINT

) 42 U.S.C. 1983, 1988Plaintiffs, ) Federal Privacy Protection Act

)v. )

)WILLIAM D. GORE, individually and in his official ) Civil Case No. 3:12cv1156capacity as San Diego County Sheriff, JAN CALDWELL, )individually and in her official capacity as San Diego )County Sheriffs Department Public Affairs Director, )THOMAS SEIVER, San Diego County Sheriffs )

Department Deputy, individually, BRENDAN COOK, )San Diego County Sheriffs Department Deputy, )individually, JESSE ALLENSWORTH, San Diego County )Sheriffs Department Deputy, individually, )JAMES BRENEMAN, San Diego County Sheriffs )Department Deputy, individually, MICHAEL PROCTOR, )San Diego County Sheriffs Department Deputy, )individually, JOHN DOE 1-10, San Diego County )Sheriffs Department, WILLIAM LANSDOWNE, )individually and in his official capacity as San Diego )Police Chief, JOHN DOE 1-10, San Diego Police )Department, and BONNIE DUMANIS, individually )

and in her official capacity as San Diego County District )Attorney, JOHN DOE 1-10, San Diego County District )Attorneys Office, individually, ) JURY TRIAL DEMANDED

)Defendants. ) August 8, 2012

NOW COME Plaintiffs, by and through undersigned Counsel, and allege against the Defendants

as follows:

NATURE OF THE CASE

1. This is a civil rights action challenging the policies, customs, and practices ofmultiple law enforcement agencies in San Diego County (SD Defendants) which, jointly and

Case 3:12-cv-01156 Document 1 Filed 08/08/12 Page 1 of 31


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severally, obstruct rights guaranteed under the First and Fourth Amendments of the United States

Constitution and violate, among other laws, the Federal Privacy Protection Act.

2. Specifically, the SD Defendants have obstructed and continue to obstructAmerican News and Information Services, Inc. (American News), a bona fide news and

information gathering organization, from gathering, recording, and distributing information of

public interest:

a. By implementing policies, customs, and practices that resulted in the arrestand prosecution of James C. Playford (Playford) for obstructing a peace officer when Playford

as a credentialed agent of American News lawfully engaged in the protected activity of gathering

and recording information about the San Diego County Sheriffs Department (SDCSD)s

responses to matters of public interest in San Diego County on or about February 28, 2010,

March 9, 2010, December 1, 2011, and May 25, 2012;

b. By implementing policies, customs, and practices leading to the seizure ofaudio-visual equipment and work product properly belonging to American News from Playford

on or about December 1, 2011, and May 25, 2012, while Playford as a credentialed agent of

American News lawfully engaged in the protected activity of gathering and recording

information about the San Diego County Sheriffs Departments responses to matters of public

interest in San Diego County; and

c. By excluding Playford acting as an agent of American News from a newsconference called by San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis on or about

January 4, 2012.

3. The SD Defendants animus toward the First Amendment is express and apparentin an agreement condoned by the SD County Sheriff which permits:



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a. The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) exclusive authority in San DiegoCounty to issue recognized press credentials;

b. Law enforcement officers within the jurisdiction of San Diego County and itsmunicipalities explicit direction and excessive discretion to prevent lawful access to and

recording of public safety activity;

c. Law enforcement officers within the jurisdiction of San Diego County and itsmunicipalities to engage in official duties without adequate training or direction in the First

Amendment prohibition against infringement of the press;

d. Law enforcement officers within the jurisdiction of San Diego County and itsmunicipalities to retaliate against individuals exercising rights guaranteed under the First

Amendment without concern for sanction from their superiors;

e. Law enforcement officers within the jurisdiction of San Diego County and itsmunicipalities to target Playford for arrest and prosecution by publishing and distributing one or

more photographs and a physical description of Playford to identify him as an individual

prohibited from lawful access to and recording of public safety activity within the entirety of San

Diego County; and

f. Law enforcement officers within the jurisdiction of San Diego County and itsmunicipalities to censor and exert prior restraint upon Playford and other individuals from lawful

access to and recording of public safety activity within the entirety of San Diego County by

attaching the threat of arrest and prosecution to such lawful activity.

4. Playfords refusal to be censored prior to February 23, 2010, and his refusal to becensored while acting as an agent of American News thereafter led to four separate arrests and

prosecutions; seizure of his personally-owned camera during one of the events; seizure of

American News camera from Playford in two of the events; a warrantless search and seizure of



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the American News work product contained in the camera in at least one of the events; and,

indicative of a government hostile to rights guaranteed under the First Amendment, exclusion

from a news conference called by San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis.

PARTIES

5. Plaintiff American News is a news and information company incorporated in theState of Connecticut that operates throughout the United States, and which gathers and provides

raw, breaking news video, photographs, and news tips to various mainstream media outlets.

6. Plaintiff Edward A. Peruta (Peruta) is a resident of Rocky Hill, Connecticut andSan Diego, California.

7. Peruta is a member of the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA)since March 25, 2012, and the founder and sole stockholder of American News. NPPA is a non-

profit organization dedicated to the advancement of photojournalism in its creation, editing and

distribution. Its almost 7,000 members include television and still photographers, editors,

students and representatives of businesses that serve the photojournalism industry. Since its

founding in 1946, the NPPA has vigorously promoted freedom of the press in all its forms,

especially as that freedom relates to photojournalism.

8. Plaintiff James Charles Playford (Playford) is a resident of Ramona, California.9. Playford is a member of the NPPA since March 25, 2012, an agent of American

News in the business of news and information gathering and recording since February 23, 2010,

and a freelance photojournalist and videographer.

10. Defendant William Gore is the Sheriff of San Diego County.11. Gore, in his capacity as San Diego County Sheriff, is responsible for planning,

administering, executing, and enforcing the laws, customs and practices that Plaintiffs challenge



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and at all times relevant to the allegations in the Complaint enforced these challenged laws,

customs, and practices to the Plaintiffs detriment.

12. Gore is sued in his individual capacity and in his official capacity as Sheriff.13. Defendant San Diego County (SD County) is a municipal entity organized

under the Constitution and laws of the State of California.

14. Defendant Jan Caldwell (Caldwell), in her capacity as the San Diego CountySheriffs Department Public Affairs Director, supervises the Public Affairs/Media Relations

Office for the stated purpose of interacting daily with television, radio and print media to ensure

the most up to date and reliable information is released to the public. The Public Affairs/Media

Relations Office expressly grants credentialed media superior access to the most up to date

and reliable information. See http://www.sdsheriff.net/newsroom/index.html (as of June 27,

2012).

15. Caldwell is sued in her individual capacity and in her official capacity as the SanDiego County Sheriffs Department Public Affairs Director.

16. Defendants Thomas Seiver, Brendan Cook, Jesse Allensworth, Michael Proctor,and James Breneman are sued in their individual capacities and are currently or were at the

relevant times alleged in this Complaint each employed as a Deputy Sheriff by the San Diego

County Sheriffs Department acting under the authority of the San Diego County Sheriff to

Plaintiffs detriment.

17. Defendant City of San Diego is a municipal entity organized under theConstitution and laws of the State of California.

18. Defendant William Lansdowne, in his capacity as the Chief of the San DiegoPolice Department, designates through the issuance of media credentials which news and



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information services will receive superior access to the most up to date and reliable

information in San Diego County.

19. Lansdowne is sued in his individual capacity and in his official capacity as Chiefof the San Diego Police Department.

20. Defendant Bonnie M. Dumanis (Dumanis), in her capacity as San DiegoCounty District Attorney, is the top law enforcement official in San Diego County.

21. Dumanis participates in, manages, condones, and supervises the prosecution ofthose that question the current media credentialing and public safety response scene access

policies currently in place in San Diego County.

22. Dumanis excludes news and information services from District Attorney pressconferences when a service does not have media credentials.

23. A service may lack media credentials either because a service intentionallydisregards the SDPD media credentials application process or because the service is denied

media credentials following a determination by the SDPD that a service is not favored by the

SDPD as a source of information for the public.

24. Dumanis is sued in her individual capacity and in her official capacity as DistrictAttorney.

25. At all times relevant to the Complaint the Defendants acted under of color of statelaw.

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

26. This action is brought pursuant to the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendmentsto the United States Constitution by and through 42 U.S.C. 1983, 1988; and the Federal

Privacy Protection Act, 42 U.S.C. 2000aa etseq.



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27. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over all federal claims by and through28 U.S.C. 1331, 1343(a)(3), 28 U.S.C. 2201, and 42 U.S.C. 2000aa-6(h).

ALLEGATIONS OF FACT

A. James Charles Playford

28. Playford commenced his career as a freelance photojournalist and videographer(journalist) in 2007 recording wildfires near Ramona, California.

29. He often is the first journalist to arrive at and record law enforcement, fireprotection, and medical emergency medical services responses to public safety incidents.

30. Playford has provided and sold his work to CNN, TMZ, TruTV,MSNBC, and a variety of local news outlets and his work product is available on the Internet.

31. Soon after he began his work as a journalist in 2007, Playford applied for and wasgranted press credentials by the San Diego Police Department (SDPD).

32. Playford enjoyed a positive rapport with law enforcement developed over a periodof years:

a. In 2003, Len Yurkus, a twenty-two year veteran of the SD County SheriffsDepartment provided a written account of his first meeting with Playford at a

restaurant when Playford approached him to donate to a fund-raiser for a

deputys family killed in a motor vehicle accident. Yurkus observed that

Playford had a pleasant demeanor, was professional in his trade as a painter, a

non-drinker, and a hard-worker.

b. In 2003, Robert Ruiz, a thirteen-year veteran of the SD Sheriffs CountyDepartment provided a written account of his numerous contacts with

Playford and his observations of Playford as honest, respectful toward Ruiz



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and other law enforcement personnel, reputable, and not known to cause

problems or break the law.

c. In 2003, Craig S. Thetford, a former California Highway Patrol officer, wrotethat he observed Playford in the three-years Thetford had known him helping

motorists and on one occasion aided Thetford in stopping a large fight.

Thetford described Playford as a valuable member of the Ramona community.

d. In 2003, Donald Fowler, a twenty-five year veteran of the SD CountySheriffs Department, wrote that in contracting Playford to paint the Encinitas

Patrol Station holding cells Playford was sensitive to the security needs of the

job, hard-working, ethical, and a pleasure to do business with during the job.

e. In 2003, Sharon Leslie, a sixteen-year veteran of the SD County SheriffsDepartment, wrote that Playford had been extremely helpful as a witness in a

grand theft larceny investigation and respectful, helpful, and friendly during

the period she had known him.

33. On July 25, 2008, Playford captured an audio-video recording (recording) ofSDCSD deputies beating Allen Baker outside of the drinking establishment Mollie Malones in

Ramona. See Baker v. County of San Diego, et al., Docket No. 09cv1194-BEN (S.D. CA)

scheduled for trial on August 21, 2012.

34. Playford posted his recording of the Mollie Malones incident on the Internet andwas called by the defense as a key witness in the Countys criminal prosecution of Allen Baker.

35. SDCSD deputies harassed Playford and intimidated him not to testify for thedefense in the criminal prosecution of Allen Baker.

36. Playford and Baker filed a federal court action on June 2, 2009, against San DiegoCounty Sheriff William Kolender.



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37. The City warned Playford on August 24, 2009, that his media credentials were indanger of being revoked as information had been received from the SDCSD that Playford had

filed complaints and court actions against deputies in which there had been apparent

questionable recollections and accounting of the facts.

38. The August 24, 2009, warning letter recites SDPD policy (DP 1.31) regardingmedia credentials, which states that A media identification card may be revoked if the holder

refuses to obey an order given by a peace officer at an incident under control by the Police

Department or Fire Department, and thereby jeopardizes public safety and order or interferes

with an investigation.

39. The letter provides no explanation of a connection between the conduct attributedto Playford that resulted in the August 24, 2009 warning, any jeopardy to public safety caused by

Playford, any interference with an investigation, or any indication that the conduct in question

occurred at the scene of an investigation.

40. The August 24, 2009, warning letter from the SDPD explicitly states thatpossessing a media credential issued by our agency is a privilege and not a right.

41. Recording law enforcement activity on public property, however, is aconstitutionally protected First Amendment right regardless of media status as determined by the

San Diego Police Department.

42. In October 2009 Playford recorded sordid activities at a makeshift brothelcomprised of individuals illegally or unlawfully in the United States which the SDPD

vehemently denied existed in the Citys McGonigle Canyon .

43. Playford posted his recording on the Internet showing evidence of the makeshiftbrothel in McGonigle Canyon.



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44. The City notified Playford by letter dated January 11, 2010, that his application torenew his media credentials was denied because it was clear to the SDPD that Playfords pattern

of behavior had not changed.

45. At an unknown date after January 1, 2009, and prior to May 25, 2012, the SDCSDdisseminated a captioned photograph of Playford stating in substance: Per Jan Caldwell J.C.

Playford is not a member of the media.

46. Upon information and belief SDCSD Public Affairs Director Jan Caldwelldistributed or directed the distribution of the captioned photograph of Playford to SDCSD

deputies and other law enforcement agencies in SD County.

B. American News and Playford

47. American News is a news and information company registered with theConnecticut Secretary of the State on June 12, 1989, operating throughout the United States,

which gathers and provides raw, breaking news video, photographs, and news tips to various

mainstream media outlets.

48. Edward A. Peruta is the sole stockholder and President of American News.49. American News maintains business relationships with freelance videographers,

photographers, and journalists throughout the United States and routinely produces, markets, and

sells journalists work product for distribution to the public through both well-recognized and

less mainstream media outlets.

50. American News business model depends upon establishing, fostering, andmaintaining relationships with journalists able to consistently record video footage and images of

newsworthy events.

51. On February 23, 2010, following the SDPDs refusal to renew his San Diegoissued media credentials, Playford entered into a business relationship with American News.



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52. American News issued media credentials to Playford on February 23, 2010.53. American News provided Playford with replacement high definition audio-video

equipment to record video footage and images of newsworthy events.

54. Playford consistently procures news leads and provides marketable news contentfrom San Diego County and other communities in the greater Southern California area for

American News.

55. On or about March 2, 2010, the SDPD and SDCSD during a national news event,prohibited Peruta, Playford, and other media, from entering non-crime scene public and private

property in a subdivision of Rancho Bernardo which overlooks the south shore of Lake Hodge.

56. The closed area overlooked Lake Hodge and Rancho Bernardo CommunityParkwhere members of the SDPD and SDCSD were conducting a recovery of the remains of Chelsea

King.

57. The SDPD and SDCSD prohibited the media from the entering the non-crimescene public and private subdivision property for the sole purpose of establishing an artificial

barrier to isolate and prevent the media from viewing and recording the active recovery of

Chelsea Kings remains.

58. Residents were not prohibited from the subdivision but were warned by the SDPDand SDCSD not to allow the media entry to their property.

59. On or about March 6, 2010, while covering the national news event, AmericanNews received credible information supplied by Playford that the remains of Amber DuBois, a

missing San Diego County teenager, had been located on a side-road approximately 2.7 miles

north of State Road 76 on Pala Temecula Road.

60. American News, in reliance upon the information supplied by Playford,responded to, and was the first news service to arrive at an area on Pala Temecula Road in San



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Diego County where two unmarked SDCSD vehicles were posted and parked to secure a gated

roads entrance on the southbound side of Pala Temecula Road.

61. American News personnel legally parked their vehicle on the southbound side ofPala Temecula Road in a spacious cleared gravel area well off the traveled portion of the road

and within the public-road right-of-way in a non-investigatory area.

62. American News then approached two SDCSD deputies in unmarked vehicles andidentified themselves to the deputies as members of the media.

63. The two SDCSD deputies reported by radio or cell phone to a supervisor that theirlocation had been discovered by the media.

64. A SDCSD supervisor ordered American News personnel to vacate the non-crimescene public roadside area.

65. The two SDCSD deputies present and a SDCSD supervisor, who was summonedto the location, proceeded to create additional artificial barriers and close both sides of Pala

Temecula Road to isolate and prevent the media from viewing or recording vehicles entering and

exiting the intersecting gated road leading to the remote area where the remains of Amber

DuBois were located following the arrest of John Gardner.

C. The Seizures of Person and Property for Gathering News

1. The February 28, 2010, Ramona Incident and Subsequent Arrest

66. Playford parked his vehicle approximately seventy-five yards from a public safetyresponse scene in Ramona on February 28, 2010, and approached to record as a newsworthy

event the SDCSD response to a dispatch of an assault with a deadly weapon.

67. SDCSD Deputy Jason Ward ("Deputy Ward") reported that he "immediatelyrecognized the subject from prior law enforcement contacts as James Playford."



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68. As Playford arrived and while Playford was recording, Deputy Seiver interviewedMatthew Deskovlck and a witness to the alleged assault, Sean Maginnis, in public near a public

roadway between the deputies' parked cruisers along the west shoulder of the 200 block of

Magnolia Avenue in Ramona.

69. Playford filmed Deputy Seiver, Deskovlck, and Maginnis from across the streetand from the perimeter of the parked cruisers.

70. Deputy Ward observed the nearest Playford came to Deputy Seiver, Deskovlck,and Maginnis was ten- to fifteen-feet.

71. Deputy Ward's report omits any reference to a cordoned scene.72. Deputy Ward's report omits any reference to a request by Deputy Seiver that

Deskovlck and Maginnis submit to interviews in a non-public location such as the interior of the

cruisers, a police station, private residence, or otherwise.

73. Neither Deputy Ward nor Deputy Seiver arrested Playford at the scene in Ramonaon February 28, 2010, despite the speedy information implicit in their direct observation of the

alleged unlawful conduct.

74. Playford filed a complaint against Deputy Seiver with the SDCSD reportingDeputy Seiver's conduct at the scene including running toward Playford and pushing Playford in

the street.

75. After Playford filed the complaint against Deputy Seiver, Deputy Seiver drafted areport for submission to District Attorney Dumanis that resulted in Playford's arrest.

76. District Attorney Dumanis did charge Playford with obstructing and delaying apolice officer in Ramona on February 28, 2010, in violation of Penal Code 148(a)(1).



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2. The March 9, 2010, Arrest and Seizure of Journalist's Camera/Raw Video

77. Playford positioned himself approximately fifty-feet from a public safety responsescene in Ramona on March 9, 2010, to record an incident involving a woman Deputy Seiver

describes in a report as homicidal and suicidal.

78. Although Deputy Seiver had determined that the woman's homicidal threats andmental condition warranted taking her into custody for immediate hospitalization, Deputy Seiver

continued to interview the woman in an Albertson's food store parking lot.

79. Deputy Seiver recorded in his report that Playford had been "warned numeroustimes by deputies for interfering with investigations, traffic stops, and other incidents."

80. Deputy Seiver recorded in his report that Playford is "usually confrontational andargumentative with any deputy who contacts him."

81. Deputy Seiver recorded in his report that "several months ago Playford's mediacredentials were not renewed by the San Diego police department."

82. Deputy Seiver recorded in his report that "[o]n several incidents Playford claimedto be a member of the media, but never could produce any credentials.

83. Deputy Seiver wrote in his report that Playford, "who is no longer a member ofthe media, went far beyond reasonable rights of the press or public to film in public."

84. Playford recorded Deputy Seiver and the woman in an area open to the public onpublic property without interfering in any manner with public safety response activity.

85. While placing Playford under arrest for delaying and obstructing a police officer,Deputy Seiver reported that Playford used passive and active resistance to avoid being

handcuffed.

86. Deputy Seiver seized a Sony HDV Handycam HDR-FX7 camera and its storedraw video footage from Playford as evidence at the arrest scene.



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87. Playford protested the seizure of his camera and raw video footage.3. The December 1, 2011, Arrest and Seizure of Journalist's Camera/Raw Video

88. Playford responded as a member of the media to the report of a bomb threat onDecember 1, 2011, at the offices of United States Congressman Darrell Issa in Vista, California,

to record a news event of national interest for distribution by American News to national media

outlets.

89. Playford's initial contact with law enforcement occurred at a command post northof the Congressman's offices.

90. At the request of public safety personnel, Playford left the area of the commandcenter and approached the scene from the north on Thibodo Road without progressing beyond

the established motor vehicle detour point or yellow police-tape cordoned boundaries.

91. In his vicinity at all times, Playford was aware of non-public safety civilianstalking on cell phones and freely moving about the area.

92. While using his cell phone to contact the news desk at San Diego Channel 6 andpositioning his camera to record the scene to the south of his location, Playford was identified,

approached, confronted, detained, questioned, and prevented from gathering news by SDCSD

Deputy Brendan Cook.

93. At all times, Playford remained north of the yellow police-tape cordonedboundaries and north of all public safety vehicles and personnel engaged in traffic control.

94. Deputy Cook's stated cause for arrest upon suspicion that the cell phone Playfordused to contact San Diego Channel 6 was a bomb detonator constituted a pretext for Deputy

Cook's intent to prevent Playford from recording the public safety response to the threat at

Congressman Issa's offices.



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95. Other individuals using cell phones in Playford's vicinity were not arrested uponsuspicion that their cell phones could be used as bomb detonators.

96. Deputy Cook contacted American News President Edward A. Peruta onDecember 1, 2011, at 5:14 pm EST for the stated reason of verifying Playford's media status.

97. Peruta informed Deputy Cook that American News issued Playford valid mediacredentials on February 23, 2010, which Playford continued to hold.

98. At the scene on December 1, 2011, Playford asserted his objection to DeputyCook's conduct citing the SDCSD ongoing pattern and practice of identifying, approaching,

confronting, detaining, questioning, and preventing Playford from gathering news in public areas

not closed to the public.

99. At the scene on December 1, 2011, Playford asserted his objection to DeputyCook's conduct citing California Penal Code 409.5 which excludes a duly authorized

representative of any news service, newspaper, or radio or television station or network from the

statutory prohibition on entering the areas closed pursuant to 409.5(a) and (b).

100. Deputy Cook seized the Panasonic High Definition video camera ("videocamera") and the raw footage in Playford's possession at the time of his arrest.

101. The SDCSD placed the video camera in a sealed evidence bag on December 2,2011.

102. At all times relevant to this complaint the video camera was the property ofAmerican News.

103. Between December 1, 2011, and May 16, 2012, when the SDCSD returned thevideo camera to American News as it was compelled to do by court order, the video camera and

raw footage recorded on the camera's SDHC memory card was searched absent warrant, and a

copy of video contained in the camera and memory card burned onto a CD.



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104. The raw footage on the video and memory card document the events precedingPlayford's December 1, 2011 arrest.

105. The San Diego District Attorney's office obtained the CD of the video originallycontained in the video camera and SDHC video card owned by American News

106. At a hearing held on March 16, 2012, in the Vista Superior Court, the courtordered the video camera and memory card returned ruling that a warrant was required to access

video recorded by Playford on December 1, 2011.

4. The May 25, 2012, Arrest and Seizure of Journalist's Camera/Raw Video

107. Playford responded as a member of the media, as a duly authorized agent ofAmerican News, and as a credentialed journalist to a motor vehicle accident with multiple

fatalities on State Road 67, a public highway in San Diego County on May 25, 2012, with the

intention to gather and report breaking news.

108. Playford is currently and was on May 25, 2012, a member of the National PressPhotographer's Association.

109. Playford approached the scene of the accident from the north, travelingsouthbound on State Road 67 as a passenger in a motor vehicle.

110. Playford exited the vehicle on State Road 67 in the area of Archie Moore Roadapproximately eight-tenths of a mile north of the accident scene and walked southbound toward

the scene.

111. While walking southbound on State Road 67, Playford possessed and carried hisAmerican News issued media credentials and video camera owned by American News.

112. State Road 67 was closed to non-emergency vehicle traffic northbound andsouthbound while Playford walked and ran southbound to the scene from the intersection of

Archie Moore Road and State Road 67.



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113. SDCSD Deputy Michael Proctor was directing traffic at the intersection of ArchieMoore Road and State Road 67 when he recognized Playford and saw Playford exit the vehicle

and begin to walk and run toward the accident scene.

114. Playford recorded his approach to the scene foreseeing from experience thatSDCSD deputies would identify, approach, confront, detain, question, and prevent him from

gathering news at the scene.

115. Deputy Proctor advised the SDCSD Communications Center that Playford wasapproaching the scene.

116. SDCSD Deputy James Breneman approached Playford as Playford walked southand directed Playford as a member of the media to an area where other media had gathered.

117. Playford immediately complied with Deputy Breneman's direction and positionedhimself on the northbound side of State Road 67.

118. Deputy Breneman then approached and informed Playford: "My sergeant advisedme you do not have press credentials," and told Mr. Playford "you cannot be over here."

119. While Deputy Breneman prevented Playford from proceeding further southbound,within sight of Deputy Breneman and Playford in a southbound direction were other media

representatives and at least one media vehicle.

120. In fact, a journalist from the Ramona Sentinel photographed Playford from thesouth facing northward.

121. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) had jurisdiction over the accident scene onState Road 67 and conducted the investigation.

122. American News and Playford were aware on May 25, 2012, that the CHP doesnot issue media credentials.



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123. In response to the confrontation initiated by SDCSD Breneman, CHP Officer JoeNeilson immediately approached Playford, questioned his media status, and took possession of

his American News credentials.

124. Officer Neilson consulted with SDCSD Deputy Breneman and Deputy JesseAllensworth while other members of the media including but not limited to Ramona Sentinel

journalist Karen Brainard were nearer to the accident scene than Officer Nielson, Deputy

Breneman, and Deputy Allensworth as evidenced by a photograph taken by Brainard from a

southward direction. See photo at http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2012/06/07/deputies-

arrest-ramona-freelance-photojournalist-at-accident-scene/.

125. Deputy Allensworth and Deputy Breneman incorrectly informed and misledOfficer Neilson that the Playford's credentials were not valid.

126. Playford remained in the public street which was closed to traffic but open toother members of the media and their vehicles.

127. At no time did Mr. Playford enter any area of State Road 67 designated as a crimescene or move beyond any access point granted to other members of the media.

128. The access point granted to other media was not in line of sight of any accidentscene.

129. Playford's presence at this location on a public street did not distract or interferewith any law enforcement officer or person directly involved with the accident.

130. While waiting for Officer Neilson to return his press credentials, Playford wasapproached by Deputy Proctor who recognized Playford and addressed Playford by his last

name.

131. Both Deputy Proctor and Deputy Breneman repeatedly informed Playford that hiscredentials were not valid while Playford, based on his knowledge and understanding of his right



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to be present at his particular location pursuant to the United States Constitution and California

Penal Code 409.5(d), refused to move and stated his objections to being singled out from other

members of the media at the scene.

132. For this reason, Playford was placed under arrest and the video camera in hispossession seized by Deputy Proctor.

133. Deputy Proctor simultaneously seized a video recording of the May 25, 2012,incident on the camera's memory card.

134. The American News press credentials issued to Playford and provided to OfficerNeilson were not returned to Playford at the scene and have not been seen since May 25, 2012.

135. Playford filed a formal complaint with the CHP regarding the missing/seizedAmerican News press credentials that were provided to Officer Nielsen on May 25, 2012.

136. Upon information and belief Officer Nielson did not complain that Playfordinterfered with Officer Nielson on May 25, 2012, nor was Officer Nielson aware that Playfords

arrest was based on a representation by the SDCSD that Playford interfered with Officer

Nielsons performance of his duties.

137. The Panasonic camera and memory card seized during this incident was theproperty of American News and were not returned until June 6, 2012, following a written June 4,

2012, demand by American News to Sheriff Gore.

D. The Repression of News Gathering by Selective Media Credentialing

138. The SDCSD refuses to recognize media credentials that are not issued by theSDPD.

139. American News confirmed for Deputy Cook during a phone call on December 1,2011, that Playford held press credentials issued and recognized as valid by American News.



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140. SDCSD Deputy Dennis Smith initiated further contact with American News onDecember 20, 2011, seeking additional information about American News which American

News provided including verification of its corporate existence since 1989.

141. American News attempted to contact SDCSD Public Affairs Director JanCaldwell and Sheriff Gore with no response to verify that Playford was a duly authorized

representative of American News and provide notice that the seizure of American News

recording equipment and media raised constitutional concerns.

142. Since December 20, 2011, the SD Defendants have continued a pattern andpractice of insisting that Playford is not a member of the media and denying Playford access

allowed other individuals deemed the media by the SD Defendants.

143. On each occasion since December 20, 2011, when the SD Defendants haveinsisted that Playford is not a member of the media, Playford has carried valid American News

credentials and insisted on his right to record public safety responses in public.

144. On each occasion, Playford has opened himself to the likelihood of detention,search and seizure of his property, prosecution, conviction, and public ridicule due to his refusal

to tolerate the unconstitutional practices of the SD Defendants.

145. Playford has been presented with the decision on each occasion to (a) abandon theFirst Amendment guarantee which prohibits the government from infringing upon the press or

(b) face arrest for refusing to abandon the news story.

146. In each of the three on-site March 9, 2010, December 1, 2011, and May 25, 2012arrests alleged in section C, above, the SD Defendants prevented Playford from getting the story

by seizing his recording equipment at the time of arrest.

147. Upon demand following the March 9, 2010 arrest, Playfords recordingequipment was returned to him.



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148. Upon demand following the December 1, 2011 and May 25, 2012 arrests,American News recording equipment was returned to Playford.

149. By the time the recording equipment and media seized on March 9, 2010,December 1, 2011, and May 25, 2012, was returned it was too late for American News to make

timely distribution of the news gathered by Playford at the scenes.

150. SD County District Attorney Dumonis joined the criminal matters arising fromthe February 28, 2010 and March 9, 2010 incidents into one prosecution and Playford proceeded

to trial in March 2011 for a violation of Penal Code 148(a)(1) on each date.

151. A mistrial was declared on March 29, 2011, after the jury deadlocked.152. Playford pleaded no contest to one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct on

March 30, 2011, and received a fine and ninety-days probation.

153. SD County Attorney Dumonis prosecuted Playford for the December 1, 2011resisting, delaying, or obstructing a police officer arrest under Penal Code 148(a)(1) in May

2011.

154. A jury convicted Playford of a violation of Penal Code 148(a)(1) on May 18,2012, for the December 1, 2011 arrest.

155. A notice of appeal from the May 18, 2012 conviction is pending.E. The Modern-Day Press

156. The SD Defendants, despite a revolution in access to news brought on by rapidtechnological advances, still seek through the use of government-issued press credentials control

of the message through control of the messenger.

157. The modern-day press is not defined by who captures the footage but by whatfootage is caught. This is particularly evidenced by the 1963 filming of President Kennedys

assassination by a private citizen named Abraham Zapruder, the 1991 video recorded by a



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private citizen of Rodney Kings beating by Los Angeles Police Department officers, and the

visual images and privately captured cell phone video of the Arab Spring uprisings and the raid

that led to Osama Bin Ladens death on May 2, 2011.

158. The modern means of capturing news has blurred and increasingly diminishedthe distinction between individuals identified as media and individuals performing the function

of the media.

159. The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit explored this issue inGlik v. Cunniffe, 655 F.3d 78, 83 (1st Cir. 2011) (recognizing that the First Amendment protects

the filming of government officials in public spaces, in accordance with the decisions of

numerous other circuit and district courts), expressively stating:

The First Amendment right to gather news is, as the Court hasoften noted, not one that inures solely to the benefit of the newsmedia; rather, the publics right of access to information iscoextensive with that of the press Moreover, changes intechnology and society have made the lines between private citizenand journalist exceedingly difficult to draw. The proliferation ofelectronic devices with video-recording capability means thatmany of our images of current events come from bystanders with aready cell phone or digital camera rather than a traditional film

crew, and news stories are now just as likely to be broken by ablogger at her computer as a reporter at a major newspaper. Suchdevelopments make clear why the news-gathering protections ofthe First Amendment cannot turn on professional credentials orstatus.

Id. at 83-84.

160. A quote attributed to SDCSD Public Affairs Director Jan Caldwell in a March 31,2012, article by North County Times Reporter Brandon Lowrey states: Well, Playford is

known amongst the deputies, especially in North County, because hes an issue. If Im on scene,

theres an excellent chance that Playford will be there. Every contact Ive had with him has been

negative.



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161. The presence of Playford, American News, or any news service that refusescompromise their First Amendment rights disrupts the efforts of government officials like Public

Affairs Director Caldwell, who direct, control, and in some cases, prevent the dissemination of

information to the public in an attempt to protect the image of government agencies.

162. Any news service that Public Affairs Director Caldwell and law enforcement ispleased to see on-scene may wish to ask itself whether that news services is performing its

function as envisioned by the founding fathers who drafted the First Amendment.

VIOLATIONS AND CLAIMS

Count OneFourth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution

42 U.S.C. 1983Against Seiver, Cook, Allensworth, Breneman, and Proctor

By American News, Peruta, and Playford

163. The foregoing paragraphs one through one-hundred-sixty-two are incorporated byreference as pleaded to under this Count One.

164. Defendant Seiver seized Playfords video camera and media on March 9, 2010,absent warrant and cause.

165. Defendant Cook seized and searched American News video camera and mediacard on December 1, 2011, absent warrant and cause.

166. Defendants Allensworth, Breneman, and Proctor, acting in concert with one ormore other officers, seized and searched American News video camera and media card on May

25, 2012, absent warrant and cause.

167. As a direct and proximate consequence of the Defendants actions, Plaintiffssuffered damages, including the loss of access to recording equipment and media used to gather

and distribute news to the public, invasion of privacy, and the loss of opportunity to record news.



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Count Two

First and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States ConstitutionAgainst Seiver, Cook, Allensworth, Breneman, and Proctor


168. The foregoing paragraphs one through one-hundred-sixty-two are incorporated byreference as pleaded to under this Count Two.

169. Defendant Seiver seized Playfords video camera and media on March 9, 2010,absent warrant and cause.

170. Defendant Cook seized and searched American News video camera and mediaon December 1, 2011, absent warrant and cause.

171. Defendants Allensworth, Breneman, and Proctor, acting in concert with one ormore other officers, seized and searched American News video camera and media on May 25,

2012, absent warrant and cause.


and distribute news to the public, invasion of privacy, and the loss of opportunity to record news.

Count Three

First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution42 U.S.C. 1983

Against the City of San Diego and the County of San DiegoBy American News, Peruta, and Playford

173. The foregoing paragraphs one through one-hundred-sixty-two are incorporated byreference as pleaded to under this Count Three.

174. The violations of Plaintiffs First Amendment and Fourth Amendment rights werecaused by the policies, practices, and customs of the City of San Diego in issuing press



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credentials and the County of San Diego in relying upon the issuance of press credentials as an

imprimatur of validity.

175. The County of San Diego failed to properly train its deputies that seizingequipment used by the media to gather news absent warrant or cause violates the United States

Constitution and the Federal Privacy Protection Act.

176. The County of San Diego permitted its deputies to seize Plaintiffs recordingequipment and media without concern for punishment.


and distribute news to the public and the loss of opportunity to record news.

Count FourFirst and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution

42 U.S.C. 1983Against All Defendants


178. The foregoing paragraphs one through one-hundred-sixty-two are incorporated byreference as pleaded to under this Count Four.

179. By entering into a county-wide agreement assigning the San Diego PoliceDepartment exclusive authority to issue valid press credentials, the San Diego County Sheriffs

Department, Sheriff William Gore, and Public Affairs Director Caldwell violated the First

Amendment rights of Playford and American News.

180. By entering into a county-wide agreement accepting exclusive authority to issuevalid press credentials, the San Diego Police Department and Police Chief William Lansdowne



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violated the First Amendment rights of both Mr. Playford and American News and Information

Services, Inc.

181. By condoning a county-wide agreement assigning the San Diego PoliceDepartment exclusive authority to issue valid press credentials, the San Diego District Attorneys

Office and District Attorney Dumanis violated the First Amendment rights of Playford and

American News.

182. By setting standards for government licensure that restrict press credentials tothose individuals that the San Diego Police Department specifically and individually endorses,

the San Diego Police Department and Police Chief William Lansdowne violated the First

Amendment rights of Playford and American News.

183. By revoking Playfords government-issued press credentials following his reportsof police activity widely viewed as negative, the San Diego Sheriffs Department and the San

Diego Police Department violated Playfords First Amendment rights.

184. By refusing on February 28, 2010, and March 9, 2010, to recognize valid presscredentials issued by American News, Deputy Seiver violated the Plaintiffs First Amendment

rights.

185. By refusing on December 1, 2011, to recognize valid press credentials issued byAmerican News, Deputy Cook violated the Plaintiffs First Amendment rights.

186. By refusing on May 25, 2012, to recognize valid press credentials issued byAmerican News, Deputy Allensworth, Breneman, and Proctor, acting in concert with one or

more other officers, violated the Plaintiffs First Amendment rights.

187. By circulating Playfords photograph captioned J.C. Playford is not a member ofthe media per Jan Caldwell, Sheriff Gore, Public Affairs Director Caldwell, and County of San

Diego infringed upon Playfords First Amendment rights.



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188. The conduct of each Defendant violated a clearly established constitutional right.189. As a direct and proximate consequence of the Defendants actions, Plaintiffs

suffered damages including the loss of access to recording equipment and media used to gather


Count FiveFederal Privacy Protection Act

42 U.S.C. 2000aa et seq.Against Seiver, Cook, Allensworth, Breneman, Proctor, Gore, and Dumanis


190. The foregoing paragraphs one through one-hundred-sixty-two are incorporated byreference as pleaded to under this Count Five.

191. The Federal Privacy Protection Act prohibited Seiver, Cook, Allensworth,Breneman, and Proctor from seizing Plaintiffs documentary and work product materials

containing raw footage of events occurring on December 1, 2011, and May 25, 2012, intended

for dissemination to the public by newspaper, book, broadcast, or other similar form of public

communication, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce.

192. Absent warrant, Deputy Cook and others watched and recorded work productseized from Playford and American News on December 1, 2011.

193. A San Diego County assistant district attorney obtained possession of therecording of the December 1, 2011 incident from Deputy Cook.

194. When the property seized from Playford on May 25, 2012, was returned to him onJune 5, 2012, the video camera and media card were retuned in two separate bags and a notation

entered into the report that Deputy Seiver viewed the video.



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195. As a direct and proximate consequence of the Defendants actions, Plaintiffssuffered damages including the loss of access to recording equipment and media used to gather




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PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs have suffered damages and seek:

I. A DECLARATORY JUDGMENT

(1) To establish that Media/Press Credentials issued by non-governmental

agencies shall be equally recognized in all respects to Media/Press Credentials issued by the San

Diego Police Department or any other governmental agency, and that holders of those

Media/Press Credentials enjoy unfettered access to all non-crime scene, public safety response

events.

(2) To provide that a person or entity engaged in the recording of news, by

whatever means, shall not be informed or instructed by the government that public recording of

public safety activity is not allowed; requires a permit; or is conditioned upon law enforcement

consent.

Specifically, the government shall not:

a) Demand that person or entity cease such activity;b) Demand that persons or entitys identification;c) Demand that person or entity to state a reason for recording;d) Detain that person or entity;e) Intentionally block or obstruct cameras or recording devices; orf) Threaten, intimidate, or otherwise discourage a person or entity from

recording public safety response activity.

II. COMPENSATORY AND PUNITIVE DAMAGES

III. REASONABLE ATTORNEYS FEES AND COSTS

IV. SUCH OTHER RELLIEF AS THIS COURT MAY DEEM



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PLAINTIFFS

AMERICAN NEWS AND INFORMATION

SERVICES, INC.EDWARD A. PERUTA

JAMES C. PLAYFORD

BY: /s/ Rachel M. BairdRachel M. Baird (ct12131)Stonegate Professional Building379 Prospect Street

Torrington CT 06790-5238

Tel: (860) 626-9991Fax: (860) 626-9992

EM: [email protected]

Dated this 8th

day of August 2012, at Torrington, Connecticut.


american news san diego complaint 0808121

Documents