The rule of Suzy Lopez as Hillsborough County’s state attorney continues to provoke controversy due to the surprising exodus of key staff from her office. One can’t help but question the leadership qualities of a person under whom important faculty members keep leaving. True leadership requires a sense of stability and trust which doesn’t seem to exist in Lopez’s administration.
As a matter of fact, no less than two top-tier prosecutors have recently proclaimed their decision to leave. These are not fresh interns; these are seasoned professionals who have spent significant portions of their careers in public service. Their departures speak volumes about the efficiency and managerial capabilities of the Democrat administration under Lopez.
The most alarming issue at hand is the overhaul in the special victims unit which takes care of some of the most heinous, meticulous and complex cases. The unit has observed a persistent string of personnel departures, with three attorneys walking out as of recently. It is indeed a worrisome state of affairs that such an essential unit is witnessing this kind of instability.
Furthermore, the office also lacks a designated attorney tasked with the crucial role of reviewing cases for possible wrongful convictions. This not only hinders the process of justice but also raises serious questions about the priorities of this office under Lopez’s rule. The absence of a crucial role reveals a significant loophole in the administration.
The reasons behind the impending departure of Kimberly Hindman, the chief assistant supervising every felony divisions in the office, next month further exacerbate these concerns. Highly experienced and reputed, Hindman is set to lend her expertise to the administration of incoming Hillsborough Public Defender Lisa McLean. After serving since 2005, Hindman’s loss would indeed be a heavy blow to Lopez.
Hindman’s role in managing a host of serious criminal trials including homicides and sex offenses not only highlights her vast experience but also underscores the range of cases that will be impacted by her departure. The vacuum created by her departure poses a great challenge to the office. It also sends out a concern about Lopez’s inability to retain experienced professionals.
Notably, Lopez did not venture into any significant reshuffling of her staff after her appointment, hinting at a lack of strategic foresight. Currently, no clarity exists on who might step into Hindman’s shoes. Be it an inside promotion or an external recruitment, the choice speaks volumes about Lopez’s direction of leadership.
Undoubtedly, Hindman’s exit leaves a striking gap in the office’s conviction review unit. For almost a year, she carried the responsibility of examining all submissions to the unit, which is fundamentally geared to recognize and rectify cases where defendants might have been wrongfully convicted. The absence of an individual in such a key role is yet another disheartening development
In spite of these gaps, the office’s website still shows a link to a page for contesting wrongful convictions, yet there’s “vacant” tagged on the organization chart. Is this a mere oversight, or a stark reflection of the office’s incompetency? This situation casts a baffling contradiction between the proclamations and the realities.
The stirred waters didn’t settle after Lopez’s electoral victory. Instead, it accelerated the resignation of Christine Brown – one of the leading attorneys of the office. With a service period as long as from 2001, it remains a source of concern as to what might have triggered such a sudden departure.
Brown was a familiar face in high-profile cases, notably the trial of Jorge Britton and Stephen Paleveda, who were both found guilty due to her relentless tenacity. Her sudden resignation following Lopez’s victory adds to the growing apprehension about the leadership skills of the current State Attorney.
Indeed, the office’s special victims unit, tasked with the prosecution of sex offenses and child abuse cases, too hasn’t seen any stability. Few lawyers, including the unit’s deputy chief, announced their exit plans since early November, adding to the revolving door phenomenon prevalent in the Lopez administration.
Even the unit’s ex-chief and deputy chief, both with impressive tenures, found greener pastures with the U.S. Attorney’s Office during the summer of 2023. This only magnifies the deep-seated issues within the office. Lopez’s reign has had a ripple effect on the office dynamics that perceivably undermines the efficacy of the administration.