Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight, Author at 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

Sarasota County officials downplayed flood risk. Tropical Storm Debby exposed their failures
Gallery
Sarasota County officials downplayed flood risk. Tropical Storm Debby exposed their failures

Investigation, Sarasota, Suncoast

Sarasota County officials downplayed flood risk. Tropical Storm Debby exposed their failures

. Tropical Storm Debby didn’t look like trouble. [...]

By Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight|2025-08-06T12:20:59-04:00June 27, 2025 5:58 am|Investigation, Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off

As LGBTQ+ rights face setbacks, Suncoast elders reflect on pride and perseverance
Gallery
As LGBTQ+ rights face setbacks, Suncoast elders reflect on pride and perseverance

Manatee, Sarasota, Suncoast

As LGBTQ+ rights face setbacks, Suncoast elders reflect on pride and perseverance

Dressed in a glittery rainbow caftan and knee-high boots, [...]

By Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight|2025-08-06T12:20:48-04:00June 27, 2025 5:55 am|Manatee, Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off

Power and Profit: Developers build the dream, homeowners pay the debt
Gallery
Power and Profit: Developers build the dream, homeowners pay the debt

DeSoto, Manatee, Sarasota, Suncoast

Power and Profit: Developers build the dream, homeowners pay the debt

Tens of thousands of Suncoast homeowners are spending more [...]

By Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight|2025-08-06T12:23:50-04:00June 6, 2025 6:00 am|DeSoto, Manatee, Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off

Challenging new development in Sarasota? Be ready to spend a small fortune
Gallery
Challenging new development in Sarasota? Be ready to spend a small fortune

Sarasota, Suncoast

Challenging new development in Sarasota? Be ready to spend a small fortune

In a city defined by its coastal charm and [...]

By Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight|2025-08-06T12:26:10-04:00May 9, 2025 6:02 am|Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off

Florida officials warn: Buyer beware as developer districts spread across the Suncoast
Gallery
Florida officials warn: Buyer beware as developer districts spread across the Suncoast

DeSoto, Manatee, Sarasota, Suncoast

Florida officials warn: Buyer beware as developer districts spread across the Suncoast

As more new special development districts break ground across [...]

By Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight|2025-08-06T12:26:23-04:00May 9, 2025 5:59 am|DeSoto, Manatee, Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off

Sarasota commissioners approve paying Arroyo’s legal fees in ethics probe
Gallery
Sarasota commissioners approve paying Arroyo’s legal fees in ethics probe

Sarasota, Suncoast

Sarasota commissioners approve paying Arroyo’s legal fees in ethics probe

Former Sarasota City Commissioner Erik Arroyo | Photo [...]

By Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight|2025-08-06T12:26:33-04:00May 5, 2025 5:44 pm|Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off

Power and profit: Developers gained government status, then got bonds to build big
Gallery
Power and profit: Developers gained government status, then got bonds to build big

DeSoto, Manatee, Sarasota, Suncoast

Power and profit: Developers gained government status, then got bonds to build big

A Naples developer had big plans in 2022 to [...]

By Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight|2025-08-06T12:26:45-04:00May 2, 2025 6:16 am|DeSoto, Manatee, Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off

Ex-commissioner wants city of Sarasota to cover legal fees after ethics complaints
Gallery
Ex-commissioner wants city of Sarasota to cover legal fees after ethics complaints

Sarasota, Suncoast

Ex-commissioner wants city of Sarasota to cover legal fees after ethics complaints

Former Sarasota City Commissioner Erik Arroyo is asking the [...]

By Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight|2025-08-06T12:27:15-04:00April 30, 2025 6:00 am|Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off

Gran Paradiso battle reveals how developers control Florida’s fastest-growing communities
Gallery
Gran Paradiso battle reveals how developers control Florida’s fastest-growing communities

Sarasota, Suncoast

Gran Paradiso battle reveals how developers control Florida’s fastest-growing communities

Streets lined with lush landscaping wind through what was [...]

By Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight|2025-08-06T12:30:20-04:00April 18, 2025 6:00 am|Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off

New College communications director charged for exposure of sexual organs – again
Gallery
New College communications director charged for exposure of sexual organs – again

Sarasota, Suncoast

New College communications director charged for exposure of sexual organs – again

Fred Piccolo Jr., the director of marketing and media [...]

By Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight|2025-08-06T12:31:30-04:00April 16, 2025 1:33 pm|Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off

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