'Grim Reaper' lawyer Dan Uhlfelder seeks to scuttle disciplinary case

Daniel Uhlfelder is facing sanctions for a 'frivolous' lawsuit challenging the state's failure to close beaches.


A Northwest Florida attorney who drew national headlines by dressing as the Grim Reaper to criticize Gov. Ron DeSantis’ handling of the coronavirus pandemic is asking a judge to dismiss court proceedings seeking penalties for comments attributed to him in a news story.

Prosecutors last month filed a motion in Walton County to pursue sanctions against Santa Rosa Beach lawyer Daniel Uhlfelder, who traveled throughout the state in the macabre costume to call attention to issues such as the Republican Governor’s refusal to close beaches amid the pandemic.

The motion came after a three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal took the rare step of ordering State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden to pursue discipline against Uhlfelder.

The court action is related to an unsuccessful lawsuit — and a subsequent appeal — Uhlfelder filed last year seeking to force DeSantis to shut down beaches to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Read more: https://floridapolitics.com/archives/420163-grim-reaper-lawyer-seeks-to-scuttle-disciplinary-case/