Tampa Bay, Florida This is a true tale of a miscarriage of justice, businessman Michael Martin applied for permits for a $1 million guest house on his property, the plans were quickly approved and permitted by the city, when the project was nearing completion a Neighbors filed a complaint stating that the view from the guest house looked directly interfered with their view and the Neighbors Gordon and Barbara Babbitt found a judge to Rule in their favor citing an obscure 100 year-old statute to wit Mr. Martin appealed, before the appellate process played itself out the same judge found him in contempt of court for not tearing it down and ordered him to be imprisoned in April of 2026 He was released from the Hillsborough County Jail on Friday, May 8, 2026, after spending nearly 3 weeks behind bars for civil contempt of court. He agreed to comply with the judge’s demolition order (after his latest appeal was denied), which was the only way to get out — there was no bond option. He spoke to reporters from his Beach Park home the same day he was released, saying he’s “not done fighting” but is moving forward with tearing down the guest house, pool, and pickleball court (demolition is scheduled to start this week and will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars). I would spend another $1 million in legal fees for false imprisonment and damages from the city… Bet me
