On the occasion of the dismissal of my second complaint against Michael Barfield charging him with unlawful practice of law (labeling himself a “legal consultant”), I received from him an unsolicited email impertinently addressing me by my first name (“Hi Frank”) and concluding with the sarcastic gloat of “Hope to see you soon!” Since I am neither surprised nor disturbed by Barfield’s boorish behavior, where am I going with this? I wish to document that, despite his undisguised looting of the city, he feels so secure in the loving embrace of government officials and others (evidenced by photographs) so free to conduct his plunder unopposed that he sets no limit on the arrogance he displays to those who oppose his pillage. To my utter astonishment, Michael Barfield, a serial felon with 68 criminal convictions, described by a federal judge as “a con man’s con man,” has not only been tolerated, he has been and is being enabled by some who should know better, including those elected to serve the city and county he stalks. Why do these individuals labor to confer a false respectability upon such a knave? Do they honestly believe he is a force for good government? Hard to imagine. Have they lost sight of the fact that one is judged by the company he keeps—at election or any other time? What do you think?

Frank Brenner, Sarasota