State attorney accused of hiding medical examiner's memory loss

Angela Corey calls allegations from challenger Wes White 'political stunt'

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Allegations that State Attorney Angela Corey withheld information about the Duval County medical examiner's mental health from defendants' lawyers have created more controversy in an already contentious Northeast Florida state attorney race.

Folio Weekly magazine published an article Wednesday in which state attorney candidate Wes White claimed that former Duval County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Margarita Arruza developed severe memory loss while on the job.

White, a former prosecutor, accused Corey of knowing Arruza was unfit for her job and not sharing that information with other attorneys.

He called for a Department of Justice investigation of his former boss and her office, as well as one of former assistant state attorney John Guy, who is now a Duval County Circuit Court judge.

At a news conference responding to White's accusations, Corey called them a "political stunt."

“It's also despicable that he would exploit a good doctor who served this community for years and use her as a political pawn to defame the State Attorney's Office and the prosecutors who seek justice for our victims of violent crime,” Corey said. “I'm calling on him right now to apologize to Dr. Arruza and her family. It is truly shameful, and he has crossed yet another line in his quest to win this race.”

Ex-prosecutor details ME's memory loss

White said that in 2010, while he was working as an assistant state attorney under Corey, he noticed Arruza was having trouble remembering things. In one instance, she couldn’t find her car after a meeting.

The Folio Weekly report includes an interview with White and a local defense attorney that details depositions both took with  Arruza that suggested she was confused, forgetful and disoriented while answering questions.

“It became evident after two or three minutes that she was suffering from advanced dementia. She could not remember the college she attended. She could not remember the medical school she attended,” White said.

White said he brought this to Corey's and Guy's attention and said Corey assured him she would tell defense attorneys representing defendants in cases for which Arruza would testify.

WATCH: Wes White accuses Angela Corey of wrongdoing

But according to the Folio Weekly report, most defense attorneys on those cases said that didn’t happen.

“It is sandbagging the defense. It is a violation of the law,” White said.

He said if those allegations are true, that means the trials weren’t necessarily fair for everyone involved, because the autopsies Arruza conducted might not have been accurate, which means dozens of murder convictions could be overturned.

“It is quite possible the trials will have to be retried at the cost of hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars to the state of Florida,” White said. “It is simply unacceptable that the state attorney would hide evidence in the prosecution of people for their very lives. And it is essential that the situation not continue.”

White said he had nothing to do with the article and is only responding after reading it Tuesday night. News4Jax reached out to the editor of Folio Weekly and the writer of the article, but has not yet heard back.

State attorney responds to accusations

Corey fired back Wednesday, saying there was no medical record reflecting a diagnosed condition for Arruza.

She said she was aware of Arruza having memory problems in 2010, just before Arruza retired, but she said those issues had no impact on any autopsy she performed.

When there were questions, other medical examiners backed her up, Corey said.

WATCH: Angela Corey responds to accusations

"There was nothing to call into question the work she had done," Corey said.

Corey said she welcomes any investigation and is opening up the files on any of the cases in question.

"We are reviewing all eight cases to see what motions are able to be filed and we are in the process of notifying all eight former clients," Public Defender Matt Shirk said. "These are very serious allegations and we are taking it very seriously."

Corey said she believes the article in Folio Weekly was planted by White, who denied Wednesday that he was raising the issue for political reasons.

"I am asking the good people of this community not to render a decision without understanding the motive behind this article. The motive behind the person who is behind the article," Corey said.

Corey had answers for every case that was questioned in the article and said there was never any doubt of the cause of death in any of those cases.

I-TEAM: Deposition unveils ME's issues

The I-TEAM obtained a deposition with Arruza from September 2010 in a case involving the death of a child in Jacksonville.

Shantell Serrant was arrested and charged with murder in 2008 in the death of her 1-year-old son, Antoine Hardiman.

I-TEAM REPORT: Investigating Wes White's allegations

Serrant's defense attorney, Pat McGuinness, said he made a frightening discovery during a deposition with Arruza.

In one exchange about a skull fracture, Arruza was asked where that fracture was located and she answered, "Well, it looks like it's a skull."

Arruza failed to answer most of the questions during the deposition, and at one point said, "I feel like an idiot today."

Serrant eventually pleaded no contest in 2009 to a reduced charge of manslaughter and was placed on probation.

Defense attorney Rhonda Peoples-Waters also had a manslaughter case investigated by Arruza during the time period in question.

She told the I-TEAM that Corey and her office never made any disclosure about Arruza's health.

“When you're looking at the prosecutor in these cases, they have the obligation to seek justice. And they aren't necessarily an advocate for each side and they have the obligation to provide the truth,” Peoples-Waters said. “I definitely think there is cause for concern. It's alarming and it's an issue the Florida Bar may choose to look into.”

The Florida Bar Association said because Corey is an elected official, complaints against her would go to the Florida Ethics Commission.

The Ethics Commission said the only releasable public records they have regarding complaints against Corey involve a complaint about financial disclosure made several years ago, which was dismissed without an investigation.

Resignation letter cited no medical issues

The I-TEAM obtained Arruza's resignation letter to the governor, effective Jan. 1, 2011, citing that she was ending her 21-year career at the Jacksonville Medical Examiner's Office to spend time with her family.

There was no mention of any medical issues.

READ: Arruza reappointment letter | Arruza resignation letter

The I-TEAM found that the state reprimanded Arruza at least once, but on a separate matter.

The chairman of the state commission that oversees medical examiners said that complaint was over a cremation in 2001. Corey is currently in her second term as a member of that board.

Dr. Stephen Nelson said he doesn't believe his office ever received a complaint about Arruza's health, and there is no provision to allow his office to audit or inspect medical examiner's offices without a complaint being filed.

“It's going to take a couple days to dig out Dr. Arruza's files to see what type of discipline Dr. Arruza has received in the past,” Nelson said. “I'm not aware that anyone filed a complaint with the medical examiner's commission regarding Dr. Arrruza.”

He said that if the allegations about her memory loss are true, it would be concerning for any autopsies performed around that time.

“There is always that concern,” Nelson said. “You want your people to be on their A game when doing autopsies, no doubt about it.”

Attempts to contact Arruza for comment were not successful.

The I-TEAM also contacted the city of Jacksonville for Arruza’s personnel file. That request is still being processed.


About the Authors:

Jim Piggott is the reporter to count on when it comes to city government and how it will affect the community.

Lifetime Jacksonville resident anchors the 8 and 9 a.m. weekday newscasts and is part of the News4Jax I-Team.