DEA Agent Who Shot Self In Foot Sues U.S.

Seeks damages for distribution of humiliating gun accident video

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APRIL 11--A Drug Enforcement Administration agent who stars in a popular online video that shows him shooting himself in the foot during a weapons demonstration for Florida children is suing over the tape's release, claiming that his career has been crippled and he's become a laughingstock due to the embarrassing clip's distribution. Lee Paige, 45, blames the video's release on DEA officials in an April 7 federal lawsuit filed against the U.S. government. A copy of the pro se complaint by Paige, a DEA agent since 1990, can be found below. According to the lawsuit, Paige was making a 'drug education presentation' in April 2004 to a Florida youth group when his firearm (a Glock .40) accidentally discharged. The shooting occurred moments after Paige told the children that he was the only person in the room professional enough to carry the weapon. The accident was filmed by an audience member, and the tape, Paige claims, was turned over to the DEA. The drug agency subsequently 'improperly, illegally, willfully and/or intentionally' allowed the tape to be disseminated. As a result, Paige--pictured above in a still from the video--has been the 'target of jokes, derision, ridicule, and disparaging comments' directed at him in restaurants, grocery stores, and airports. Paige, who writes that he was 'once regarded as one of the best undercover agents, if not the best, in the DEA,' points to the clip's recent airing on popular television shows and via the Internet as the reason he can no longer work undercover. He also notes that he is no longer 'permitted or able to give educational motivational speeches and presentations.' (5 pages)

5 attached images are of his suit filing.

Transcript of CNN interview with Lee Paige:
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/17/ltm.02.html

And maybe you've seen this online. Check it out. Watch very closely. A government drug agent shoots himself -- ugh -- right there in the foot. Oh! While teaching kids about safety.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm OK. I'm OK.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: He said the clip made him a laughingstock, and now he is suing. We'll ask him about his case. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Now a story of wounded pride. A drug enforcement agent accidentally shot himself in the foot during a demonstration. Embarrassing tape of the incident got out and is circulating on the Internet. Check it out. Oh, oh. He's OK. He's OK, is what he's saying.

Now Agent Paige is suing the agency and joining us from Orlando, Florida. Agent Lee Paige and his attorney, Ward Meythaler. Thank you for being with us today. We appreciate it.

Let me start with you, lee. You've been a special agent now, I'm seeing, since 1990. What went wrong there?

LEE PAIGE, DEA AGENT: Accidental discharge. I've done this presentation a number of times, actually over 100 times. And I basically had an accidental discharge, where I thought the weapon was clear and I was about to do a demonstration and taking it apart. And I pulled the trigger and I shot myself. I had an accident.

NGUYEN: You were seriously hurt, suspended without pay for five days. When did you realize that this video was circulating on the Internet?

PAIGE: I found out about a year ago last March that it was on the worldwide Web when I received a call from Scotland Yard in England from a good friend of mine.

NGUYEN: From Scotland Yard? OK, so are you more embarrassed about it or are you mad that the video is out?

PAIGE: Well, basically, it's being used for entertainment purposes, to poke fun at me. And I actually had an accident where I almost hit my femoral artery and I could have died. The physician indicated I would have died in 22 seconds had that happened. So, and also, my -- my safety and my ability to do my job is compromised.

O'BRIEN: How so? I mean, how has it affected your job and your life?

PAIGE: Well, I did -- a great deal of my work was undercover, as well as I spoke to kids and did motivational speeches, which has been hampered. I'm not allowed to do that anymore. Something that I could have done after employing with DEA, and I can no longer do that.

O'BRIEN: Let me bring in your attorney right now. Ward, this video was not shot by the DEA, but you say in the complaint that the DEA had exclusive possession of it and that it was leaked by one or more people. How did it get out there, and how did the DEA get it?

WARD MEYTHALER, PAIGE'S ATTORNEY: First of all, the DEA has requested that I point out that Mr. Lee is not a spokesperson today for the DEA and that his recollections and opinions are not those of the DEA. The DEA confiscated this videotape because it was part of a sensitive investigation and, as such, should have been private under the privacy act. It was also confiscated because Mr. Paige is an undercover agent. We don't know who in the DEA leaked it, but since it was under its exclusive control, we know that someone at the DEA did do it.

NGUYEN: And Lee, what do you want with this lawsuit? What are you asking for?

PAIGE: Well, basically, I'm in a position where my -- I've been compromised and I just needed damage control done. And at this point, nothing has happened. And I refer to my attorney in that regard.

MEYTAHLER: Basically, we're attempting to vindicate his rights under the privacy act, which are extremely important. We're trying to clear his name. The only relief provided under the privacy is compensatory damages, which will be determined by a court.

NGUYEN: Lee Paige and Ward Meythaler, his attorney. We appreciate your time today. Stay safe.

PAIGE: Thank you very much.

MEYTAHLER: You, too.

http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2006/04/im-only-one-in-this-room-professional.html
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2006/04/more-on-lee-paige.html

Tracy

'It does not take a majority to prevail... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.'

Samuel Adams

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