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

Uncomfortable but necessary: Sarasota County reconsiders budget amid warnings
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Uncomfortable but necessary: Sarasota County reconsiders budget amid warnings

Sarasota, Suncoast

Uncomfortable but necessary: Sarasota County reconsiders budget amid warnings

Sarasota County Commissioners will hold a newly scheduled workshop [...]

By Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight|2025-08-06T12:18:47-04:00July 8, 2025 6:22 pm|Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off

Sarasota’s budget keeps growing. Can the county keep up?
Gallery
Sarasota’s budget keeps growing. Can the county keep up?

Sarasota, Suncoast

Sarasota’s budget keeps growing. Can the county keep up?

More staff. New equipment. Better pay. Across four budget [...]

By Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight|2025-08-06T12:19:14-04:00July 4, 2025 5:00 am|Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off

Sarasota County stormwater crisis sparks major shakeup after public trust erodes
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Sarasota County stormwater crisis sparks major shakeup after public trust erodes

Sarasota, Suncoast

Sarasota County stormwater crisis sparks major shakeup after public trust erodes

Sarasota County leaders voted Tuesday to create a separate [...]

By Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight|2025-08-06T12:19:37-04:00July 1, 2025 6:14 pm|Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off

Stormwater chief defends dredging permit and flood response, says he divided rainfall forecast by 3
Gallery
Stormwater chief defends dredging permit and flood response, says he divided rainfall forecast by 3

Sarasota, Suncoast

Stormwater chief defends dredging permit and flood response, says he divided rainfall forecast by 3

Three days after a Suncoast Searchlight and Florida Trident [...]

By Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight|2025-08-06T12:21:11-04:00June 30, 2025 7:21 pm|Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off

Sarasota County officials downplayed flood risk. Tropical Storm Debby exposed their failures
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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
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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, Investigation, 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|2026-06-23T19:53:21-04:00May 9, 2025 5:59 am|DeSoto, Investigation, Manatee, Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off

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

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