Wednesday, July 16, 2025
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Calling for Immediate Resignation of Heather Fagan from City of Orlando

Dear City Council, I am writing to demand the immediate resignation of Chief of Staff Heather Fagan due to her role in covering up critical information related to the Pulse nightclub tragedy. Recently released evidence and emails dating back to 2016 (attached), shows that Fagan actively directed City staff to mislead reporters and withhold key information regarding code violations at Pulse.




Specifically, when asked in 2016 about the photo depicting a Coke beverage cooler obstructing an exit at Pulse, the City falsely claimed the image had already been made public. This photo was not made public until my public records request.

Calls for Heather Fagan City of Orlando to resignNew York Times journalist Frances Robles inquired about this very issue and photograph, only to have her questions deflected by Ashley Papagni, following direct instructions from Fagan to limit responses and avoid addressing permitting concerns. Fagan instructed Ashley Papagni to tell the reporter she only represents the Fire Department—not Code Enforcement—to shut down further questioning.

This deception is unacceptable and we have many more documented instances of this repeated behavior.

Heather Fagan was later rewarded by Mayor Buddy Dyer with one of the highest-paying position within the City of Orlando, with the City citing her role in managing the City’s public messaging after Pulse as one of her “greatest contributions.” In reality, her actions actively concealed the truth and denied the public and victims/survivor critical information about safety failures at Pulse.

The people of Orlando deserve transparency and accountability—not officials who prioritize political damage control over the facts and public safety. Fagan’s continued presence in City leadership erodes trust in government and dishonors the victims and survivors of Pulse.

I urge you to take immediate action by calling for Heather Fagan’s resignation. Orlando deserves better.

Ashley Papagni should resign too.

This is unconscionable deception. Nine years later, we get the photo. Unbelievable. I don’t know how you and others involved in this coverup sleep at night. I really don’t.

Heather Fagan and Ashley Papagni, I am once again calling for you to resign for misleading the public and lying to reporters, not only about the blocked exit at PULSE that led to the preventable death of Luis Capo, but about MANY issues surrounding the unpermitted renovations and code violations at PULSE that hindered escape and rescue.

If you were not aware, it is illegal for public officials make false public statements under § 837.06, Fla. Stat. – False Official Statements. With thwarted, pending, and ongoing litigation brought by PULSE victims/survivors, there are numerous other State and Federal laws that these actions may have violated.

Thus, I am again asking you to resign immediately. Our taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund this conduct—particularly in some of the highest-paid positions in the City. We deserve public officials who are committed to full transparency and accountability, even when the facts may be difficult or damaging to the City’s image.

Just so you know, we are continuing to watch and now so are others.

Shame on all of you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Zachary Blair
Victims’ Advocate – www.pulsefamilies.com

RELATED: Chief of Staff to Mayor Buddy Dyer Salary at City of Orlando

RELATED: City of Orlando Lied, Hid Pulse Photos of Blocked Door from Public for 9 Years

RELATED: Is City of Orlando Obstructing Justice by Preventing Pulse Building Inspection?

Records attached to emails sent to Orlando City Commissioners calling for resignation of Heather Fagan and Ashley Papagni:

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