Jurors award son of former Florida Gov. Reubin Askew nearly $1 million in DCF lawsuit

Jurors in Leon County awarded nearly $1 million in damages to Kevin Askew, the son of the late Gov. Reubin Askew, in a discrimination lawsuit he filed against his former employer, the Florida Department of Children & Families.

Askew worked for DCF for 25 years without reprimands or problems but was terminated in 2015 after an internal investigation involving "contrived allegations," according to his lawsuit, which he filed in 2017. Before his termination, Askew fought cancer and had several surgeries requiring him to use crutches for the rest of his life.

"Our allegation was he was fired because of his disabling condition, his cancer and the fact that he had taken time off," said Marie Mattox, a Tallahassee attorney who represented Askew.

Askew was subjected to an internal investigation by the Inspector General's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for violating computer record policy and procedures, according to the complaint. Mattox said he merely looked up a file to make sure he could give proper guidance in an adoption case. 

However, DCF disputes that account and issued a statement defending its actions. The department also said it plans to appeal.

“This individual accessed confidential client information for personal reasons," the agency said in a email. "This was a direct violation of department policy and he resigned as a result."

A six-person jury deliberated nearly five hours Thursday night after closing statements in the four-day trial. They awarded him $955,457 in disability discrimination damages, including more than $80,000 for economic losses, $375,000 for past pain and suffering and $500,000 for future pain and suffering.

"I think this is a gigantic statement against DCF for firing a man who was only trying to protect the children," said Mattox, who argued the case along with her colleague, Tallahassee attorney Katherine Viker.

Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or follow @JeffBurlew on Twitter.