Lawsuit targets Pembroke Pines police chiefs over officers’ texts. What to know
Two Pembroke Pines police chiefs face a federal lawsuit from the local police union over whether private text messages between officers are public records.
A federal judge this month approved adding both chiefs as defendants, including one in his individual capacity, according to court records.
FULL STORY: Pembroke Pines police chiefs face union lawsuit over texts, court records show
Here are key takeaways:
- Chief Jose J. Vargas was added as an individual defendant, and Assistant Chief Carlos Bermudez was added in both his official and individual capacity. Bermudez retired from the department on March 16, one day before the Fraternal Order of Police announced the lawsuit update.
- The dispute traces to a June 5, 2025, email about shift swaps. After FOP Pembroke Pines branch president Detective Scott Kushi texted Officer Joel Cuarezma warning the swaps could breach the union’s collective bargaining agreement, a captain requested copies of those texts. Cuarezma declined and was notified of an internal investigation two days later.
- The FOP accuses Bermudez of ordering the internal affairs investigation against the two officers who refused to hand over their messages. When Internal Affairs Sgt. Robert Sorensen was interviewed, he said Bermudez ordered him to make the records request.
- The case hinges on where Florida’s Public Records Act ends and the Fourth Amendment begins. The city argues state law makes the texts public records; FOP says they were private, off-duty discussions about interpreting the union contract, sent on personal cellphones.
- “This is normal. The Federal Rules provide that courts are required to freely give leave to amend,” city attorney Christopher Stearns said in response to the developments.
- A trial period is scheduled to start April 27 to determine whether the police union’s petition for permanent injunctive relief is granted.
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