Bradenton prosecutor diagnosed with COVID-19. About 75 trials are delayed
A prosecutor with the State Attorney’s Office in Bradenton has tested positive for the coronavirus, causing about 75 misdemeanor trials to be delayed and other courthouse officials and employees to self-quarantine.
Manatee County Judge Mark Singer was forced to order the postponements on Monday during what was supposed to be docket sounding hearings for cases scheduled for trial later this month.
Singer and others in court recalled the prosecutor had been physically in court on Friday but then appeared through Zoom later that afternoon.
State Attorney Ed Brodsky said his office learned Sunday the prosecutor had tested positive for the virus, and as a result several other prosecutors had to self-quarantine. Most, however, still made their court appearance through Zoom on Monday, he said.
“Everyone is making sure we are taking safety protocols so that everyone stays safe,” Brodsky said.
According to Brodsky, his office maintains safety protocols following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“From what we have seen, (the prosecutor) maintains strong safety protocols. So we were surprised to learn of her results.”
Brodsky was seen not wearing a mask at a pre-election rally featuring Ivanka Trump, daughter of President Donald Trump, at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota on Oct. 27.
Staff at the courthouse only learned of their exposures on Monday, and deputies, clerks and at least one court interpreter have been notified that they had a direct exposure to someone who’s tested positive for the coronavirus, according to courthouse spokeswoman Donna Rhodes.
Public defender Larry Eger said he had just learned of the exposures from Brodsky late Monday afternoon — after the Bradenton Herald called Brodsky for comment.
As soon as he learned, Eger called the Bradenton public defender’s office and asked anyone who had direct contact with the prosecutor to immediately go home to self-quarantine and to get tested, he said.
Eger described it as a tragedy that it has not been possible for the court system to return to normalcy.
“We are going to have come up with better solutions,” Eger said.
This story was originally published November 9, 2020 at 5:27 PM.
