Fla. town employee fired over porn actress wife

[WoodysGirl]

By BRIAN SKOLOFF Associated Press Writer © 2009 The Associated Press

July 23, 2009, 6:05PM


AP This undated photo provided by Scott Janke shows Scott Janke, right and his wife Anabela Mota Janke. Janke, a South Florida town manager who married an adult film star last year was fired at an emergency meeting after the mayor and council members learned about it. Fort Myers Beach town council voted 5-0 to fire Janke "without cause" after Mayor Larry Kiker called the Tuesday night July 21, 2009 meeting. (AP Photo/Courtesy Scott Janke)



— The mayor of a small southwest Florida town on Thursday defended the town council's decision to fire its city manager after officials learned his wife is an adult film actress.

Fort Myers Beach Mayor Larry Kiker insisted that Scott Janke's termination had nothing to do with his spouse's job, that the town was merely trying to maintain order.

"What we were addressing was a situation where we weren't going to be able to govern the town with all the disruption and interruption," Kiker said.

The plan appears to have backfired.

"I've done over 30 interviews (with media) ... I've gotten hundreds of e-mails, we're getting threatened," Kiker said. "Nobody is getting any work done around here."

Still, Kiker insisted that Janke wasn't fired because of his wife's job.

"We didn't fire him because his wife was a porn star," Kiker griped, adding that the decision wasn't a "knee-jerk reaction."

However, the mayor also noted: "It was not his job performance. We all liked Scott ... He's a good guy."

Kiker said he learned of Janke's wife's job after receiving a telephone call from a reporter on Tuesday. He said he then spoke to Janke, who agreed "this was going to be a big disruption for the town and he was not going to be able to do his job well."

Within a few hours, Kiker had called an emergency town council meeting, and the group voted 5-0 to exercise a "no-cause" clause in Janke's contract, effectively firing him.

Councilman Tom Babcock said at a council meeting Wednesday that Janke was fired because his wife's profession brought an inaccurate image to Fort Myers Beach, the News-Press of Fort Myers reported.

"When you become a public figure you are held to a different level of scrutiny and ethics," Babcock said at the meeting.

Janke told The Associated Press on Wednesday night that he and his wife had their "heads held high."

"We have done nothing to be embarrassed about. We've done nothing wrong," Janke said. He said it's too early to think about what's next, and wouldn't comment on any possible legal action.

He will get a severance package worth six months salary, which comes to about $50,000, plus health benefits.

Janke said he married Anabela Mota Janke, who goes by the stage name Jazella Moore, in October. He began working for the town in March 2008.

Dan Miller, editor at the AVN Media Network, which covers the adult industry, said he had not heard of a similar case, but noted the adult film industry is "not necessarily widely accepted" in mainstream American politics.

Diane Duke, executive director of the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the adult entertainment industry, said the firing could present legal problems for the town.

Duke said even with a "no-cause" clause in Jenke's contract, as a government employee he is still protected by the First Amendment.

"There may very well be a case here," she said.

Added Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida: "His firing may run up against Florida's law that prohibits discrimination based on marital status."

Meanwhile, the issue is the talk of the town of about 6,500.

"Everyone who lives on the island has made comments," said Jaye Duval, owner of the Sole Cafe, who listened to all the gossip as residents gathered for morning coffee and breakfast. "Everybody I've heard has basically thought he should have been able to keep his job. Most people think what his wife does shouldn't matter."

George Noakes, manager of the Sunflower Cafe in town, called it "prejudice."

"I thought the guy was doing a good job. I don't understand why his wife is even an issue," Noakes said. "Whatever she does, that's none of our concern. We shouldn't even be bothered with it."

___

AP Writer David Fischer contributed to this report from Miami.

[Yeagermeister]

Originally Posted by WoodysGirl

By BRIAN SKOLOFF Associated Press Writer © 2009 The Associated Press

July 23, 2009, 6:05PM


AP This undated photo provided by Scott Janke shows Scott Janke, right and his wife Anabela Mota Janke. Janke, a South Florida town manager who married an adult film star last year was fired at an emergency meeting after the mayor and council members learned about it. Fort Myers Beach town council voted 5-0 to fire Janke "without cause" after Mayor Larry Kiker called the Tuesday night July 21, 2009 meeting. (AP Photo/Courtesy Scott Janke)



— The mayor of a small southwest Florida town on Thursday defended the town council's decision to fire its city manager after officials learned his wife is an adult film actress.

[View Full Quote]Fort Myers Beach Mayor Larry Kiker insisted that Scott Janke's termination had nothing to do with his spouse's job, that the town was merely trying to maintain order.

"What we were addressing was a situation where we weren't going to be able to govern the town with all the disruption and interruption," Kiker said.

The plan appears to have backfired.

"I've done over 30 interviews (with media) ... I've gotten hundreds of e-mails, we're getting threatened," Kiker said. "Nobody is getting any work done around here."

Still, Kiker insisted that Janke wasn't fired because of his wife's job.

"We didn't fire him because his wife was a porn star," Kiker griped, adding that the decision wasn't a "knee-jerk reaction."

However, the mayor also noted: "It was not his job performance. We all liked Scott ... He's a good guy."

Kiker said he learned of Janke's wife's job after receiving a telephone call from a reporter on Tuesday. He said he then spoke to Janke, who agreed "this was going to be a big disruption for the town and he was not going to be able to do his job well."

Within a few hours, Kiker had called an emergency town council meeting, and the group voted 5-0 to exercise a "no-cause" clause in Janke's contract, effectively firing him.

Councilman Tom Babcock said at a council meeting Wednesday that Janke was fired because his wife's profession brought an inaccurate image to Fort Myers Beach, the News-Press of Fort Myers reported.

"When you become a public figure you are held to a different level of scrutiny and ethics," Babcock said at the meeting.

Janke told The Associated Press on Wednesday night that he and his wife had their "heads held high."

"We have done nothing to be embarrassed about. We've done nothing wrong," Janke said. He said it's too early to think about what's next, and wouldn't comment on any possible legal action.

He will get a severance package worth six months salary, which comes to about $50,000, plus health benefits.

Janke said he married Anabela Mota Janke, who goes by the stage name Jazella Moore, in October. He began working for the town in March 2008.

Dan Miller, editor at the AVN Media Network, which covers the adult industry, said he had not heard of a similar case, but noted the adult film industry is "not necessarily widely accepted" in mainstream American politics.

Diane Duke, executive director of the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the adult entertainment industry, said the firing could present legal problems for the town.

Duke said even with a "no-cause" clause in Jenke's contract, as a government employee he is still protected by the First Amendment.

"There may very well be a case here," she said.

Added Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida: "His firing may run up against Florida's law that prohibits discrimination based on marital status."

Meanwhile, the issue is the talk of the town of about 6,500.

"Everyone who lives on the island has made comments," said Jaye Duval, owner of the Sole Cafe, who listened to all the gossip as residents gathered for morning coffee and breakfast. "Everybody I've heard has basically thought he should have been able to keep his job. Most people think what his wife does shouldn't matter."

George Noakes, manager of the Sunflower Cafe in town, called it "prejudice."

"I thought the guy was doing a good job. I don't understand why his wife is even an issue," Noakes said. "Whatever she does, that's none of our concern. We shouldn't even be bothered with it."

___

AP Writer David Fischer contributed to this report from Miami.

I heard about this on the radio the other day and I agree that if he was doing a good job then he shouldn't have been fired.

[Joe Rod]

Porn Star discrminination, huh? Well hello lawsuit!

[Joe Rod]

Originally Posted by Yeagermeister

I heard about this on the radio the other day and I agree that if he was doing a good job then he shouldn't have been fired.

Was this opinion formed before or after you looked up the wife's "Body of Work"?

[Yeagermeister]

Originally Posted by Joe Rod

Was this opinion formed before or after you looked up the wife's "Body of Work"?

I'm offended at that accusation.

Where's Pep?

[ArmyCowboy]

The qotes by the mayor about how the guy was a good employee and the way the whole situation was handled is a lawyers dream.

It would be hard for a decent lawyer to screw up this (upcoming) lawsuit.

[Yeagermeister]

Originally Posted by ArmyCowboy

The qotes by the mayor about how the guy was a good employee and the way the whole situation was handled is a lawyers dream.

It would be hard for a decent lawyer to screw up this (upcoming) lawsuit.

Even Pep could win this one.

[Hoofbite]

Politicians can openly cheat on their wives or get caught flashing a "lets be friends" sign into the stall next to them in a mens room but this dude gets canned because his wife is a porn star.

Color me confused.

I wanna see where this goes. No way in hell it should stick and I'd say the guy who fired him should have the favor returned after Porno-Hubby gets his job back.

[CATCH17]

Originally Posted by Joe Rod

Porn Star discrminination, huh? Well hello lawsuit!

I hope they get a ton of money because of this.

[Doomsday101]

What no movie titles? Damn

[FloridaRob]

I am sure all the blue hair ol ladies in that little town of 6500 rose up and put pressure on the people that make the decisions. After all I am sure they are worried their geriatric ol husbands might be spending a little more time in City Hall or asking to trim the wifes hedges at her home if she needs some help instead of playing shuffleboard with them. .....

[Jon88]

You can't fire someone for that. That's a lawsuit waiting to happen.

I see the Bible Belt has been expanded.

[peplaw06]

Originally Posted by Yeagermeister

Even Pep could win this one.

Or did you just call me a decent lawyer?? aww thanks Yeag. Didn't know you cared.....

[Jon88]

Originally Posted by peplaw06

Or did you just call me a decent lawyer?? aww thanks Yeag. Didn't know you cared.....

You'll have to suspend ambulance detail though

[Yeagermeister]

Originally Posted by peplaw06

Or did you just call me a decent lawyer?? aww thanks Yeag. Didn't know you cared.....

Pep is ready to go