Broward County, Florida, officials asked the state’s 17th judicial circuit court on January 31 to dismiss a lawsuit under public nuisance laws that would forbid Broward County Library from allowing patrons to view sexually explicit materials online. “We’re contending that the suit wasn’t filed properly,” Assistant County Attorney Jose Gonzalez told American Libraries.
Filed January 11, the suit charges that thanks to BCL’s filter-free policy and placement of computers, male patrons have on numerous occasions “display[ed] illegal obscenity, pornography, bestiality or indecent materials” and “masturbate[d] themselves in view of other persons, including minor children.”
Plaintiff Jodi Hoffman, who is the mother of three, settled a separate lawsuit on December 16, 1998, against the Broward County School Board over the content of its sex-education program. She was represented by her attorney-husband Paul Hoffman; the couple codirect the traditional-values group Restore America’s Moral Pride.
Neither Gonzalez nor BCL Assistant Director Kathleen Imhoff would comment to AL about the substance of the case while litigation is pending.
Posted February 7, 2000.