Judge rules against Fort Myers city leaders testifying in ‘Lake Boyz’ gang case

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FORT MYERS, Fla. Multiple city leaders, including Mayor Randy Henderson, Police Chief Derrick Diggs, City Manager Saeed Kazemi and all city council members, will not be required to testify in the trial of one of 21 people arrested in the “Lake Boyz” gang case, Lee County Circuit Judge Bruce Kyle ruled on Wednesday.

Henderson, Diggs and Kazemi were subpoenaed during a March 29 meeting on violence at Dunbar High School.

Jonathan Griffin was among those arrested in January for multiple charges, including heroin trafficking, aggravated assault and various firearm offenses, following a two year investigation into the Harlem Lakes neighborhood-based gang.

The group, known for posting music videos showing off their weapons, was believed to be involved in a wave of violence where seven people were shot, including a child, over the span of seven hours in 2015.

Griffin, whose trial is scheduled to start on Monday, and others will be charged under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a federal law commonly known as RICO. Passed in 1970, RICO has been used by state and federal prosecutors to combat organized crime groups.

It was not immediately clear if former city officials who were also subpoenaed, including former Police Chief Douglas Baker and former Interim Police Chief Dennis Eads, will be required to testify.

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