In the drama tied to the trial involving Bubba “The Love Sponge” and Todd "MJ" Schnitt, the Tampa Police Chief is dismantling the entire DUI unit.

It's all because of allegations that one of the attorney's set up another attorney in a DUI sting.

Charges against Phil Campbell were dropped this week. Attorney John Fitzgibbons said the DUI set-up involving his client is a scandal that's festering.

"The conduct of the police involved and the lawyers from the Adams and Diaco law firm was despicable. It's a disgrace. The conduct is disgusting,” he said.

On Monday, the Pinellas State Attorney's Office dropped Campbell's DUI charge after their investigation found another law firm allegedly set him up.

Fitzgibbons said to prevent that from happening in the future he's calling on Mayor Bob Buckhorn to immediately appoint a special independent counsel to investigate.

"At the end of 120 days, the special independent counsel should present a report to the mayor and the citizens of Tampa explaining what happened here and making recommendations so that a scandal like this never happens again in the City of Tampa,” he said.

Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor said a special independent counsel is not necessary.

"There is no need for any independent counsel,” she said.

Chief Castor said she was initially told Sergeant Ray Fernandez only exchanged a few texts with an attorney from the Adams and Diaco law firm that night.

The Chief said she was surprised to learn it was more than 90 texts.

"Some of the information that has come to light recently has been a great disappointment to me,” she said.

Fitzgibbons wanted that special counsel to investigate Tampa DUI squad but Castor said as of this Sunday that DUI squad will be decentralized, saying it needs more supervision.

Fitzgibbons also blasted the Tampa Police Department for not taking any action in the past six months since this incident occurred.

Chief Castor said TPD'S cooperating with the FBI and as soon as that investigation is complete.

Tampa Police will launch an internal affairs investigation if it's necessary.



The Florida Bar is also investigating the attorneys at the Adam and Diaco law firm. Fitzgibbons said he believes all the attorneys involved in the set-up should be disbarred.