Demeter sues Destin massage parlor for defamation, other allegations

 

By Joe Culpepper

 

   Gulf Breeze resident Stephen Demeter on Monday filed a lawsuit against a Destin massage parlor that was at the center of a 2008 incident that contributed to his termination as chief of the Midway Fire District.

   Demeter’s attorney, Gene Mitchell of Pensacola, filed a civil complaint, which represents one side of a legal argument, against employee Jennifer Edwards and owner Vicki Edge of Edge of Paradise Day Spa in Destin. Demeter is seeking a minimum $15,000 citing false imprisonment and wrongful detention, malicious prosecution, defamation and negligence.

   Demeter visited the spa on June 21, 2008 to get a massage. According to the police report, the masseuse, Edwards, accused Demeter of committing a lewd personal sex act during their session.

   Demeter, who registered at the spa under a fictitious identity, told Okaloosa County Sheriff's investigators at the scene that the masseuse mistook his attempt to scratch an itch as a sexual act. Demeter was arrested on an indecent exposure allegation and released on bond.

   Mitchell entered a written not-guilty plea on Demeter's behalf on July 22 during the Chief's scheduled arraignment hearing. The State Attorney’s Office investigated the incident and did not bring formal charges against Demeter, citing insufficient evidence to prove the allegation beyond doubt.

   Demeter vehemently denied the allegation.

   "I have always claimed that I was falsely accused of inappropriate conduct and feel some sense of vindication with the State’s election not to file any charges against me," Demeter said in a statement faxed to Gulf Breeze News last July.

   The highly publicized incident apparently played a role in his ouster as fire chief. The lawsuit claims that Demeter’s personal and professional reputation was damaged, and he since has been unable to find similar work in his field of expertise.

   Demeter became chief at Midway Fire District in June 2004. He received severance pay of $73,000, equal to one year's salary. Demeter also was paid during a period of self-imposed and subsequent Midway Fire Commission-imposed administrative leave immediately after the alleged incident.

 

Read more about this story in the March 19 issue of Gulf Breeze News.