Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight

About Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight

Derek Gilliam is a watchdog/investigative reporter at Suncoast Searchlight. During his career, he has covered courts and crime, mental health, real-estate, economic development and general business issues for news organizations throughout Florida. Most recently, Derek has focused on real estate and development while also covering local businesses for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, where he untangled a particularly egregious example of real estate fraud months before the police arrested the fraudster. That story attracted the attention of a local legislator who then was able to pass a state law to close a loophole identified in his story. A student of the University of Florida, Derek’s work has earned numerous statewide journalism awards. He has lived in Sarasota since 2021. Reach Derek via email at derek@suncoastsearchlight.org

Manatee County approves return of $2.5 million to schools after tax dispute

The School District of Manatee County will receive all [...]

By |2026-07-28T16:57:47-04:00July 28, 2026 4:42 pm|Manatee, Suncoast|Comments Off on Manatee County approves return of $2.5 million to schools after tax dispute
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Lawyer fights Live Local bid to hold Sarasota commissioners personally liable

A developer has filed additional claims in a civil [...]

By |2026-07-16T22:56:20-04:00July 17, 2026 4:40 am|Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off on Lawyer fights Live Local bid to hold Sarasota commissioners personally liable
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Commission chair seeks to return $2.5 million to Manatee County Schools

Manatee County Commission Chairman Tal Siddique aims to resolve [...]

By |2026-07-02T17:32:47-04:00July 3, 2026 4:50 am|Manatee, Suncoast|Comments Off on Commission chair seeks to return $2.5 million to Manatee County Schools
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School tax fix set to become law highlights different local approaches, outcomes

Sarasota County Schools clawed back more than $2 million [...]

By |2026-07-01T08:24:22-04:00June 30, 2026 6:00 am|Manatee, Sarasota, Suncoast, Uncategorized|Comments Off on School tax fix set to become law highlights different local approaches, outcomes
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District names new Riverview High principal following school allegations

Sarasota County Schools has moved the principal of Riverview [...]

By |2026-06-25T14:46:38-04:00June 24, 2026 4:05 pm|Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off on District names new Riverview High principal following school allegations
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DeSantis tax plan could cost Suncoast counties $380 million in 2 years

Local government officials are pushing back on a plan [...]

By |2026-06-02T11:51:21-04:00June 1, 2026 6:16 pm|DeSoto, Manatee, Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off on DeSantis tax plan could cost Suncoast counties $380 million in 2 years
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