DEA agent who shot himself in video suing over tapes release.

JSalcedo · April 11, 2006, 12:16 PM

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0411061foot1.html

DEA Agent Who Shot Self In Foot Sues U.S.
Seeks damages for distribution of humiliating gun accident video

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)

JSalcedo · April 11, 2006, 12:17 PM

This guy is a buffoon.

What ever flack he got from this video was richly deserved.

MuzzleBlast · April 11, 2006, 12:19 PM

"Not only am I a moron, I am a whiny moron."

QuaTscH94 · April 11, 2006, 12:30 PM

ROFL! I tried real hard not to laugh while at the office. He made an absolute fool of himself, especially by saying "I'm the only one I know of in the room professional enough to carry a gun" right before shooting himself right in the foot LOL.

Hey it could be worse...like the Fire chief in Arizona that got caught screwing his neighbors sheep

pipoman · April 11, 2006, 12:34 PM

Quote:

A copy of the pro se complaint by Paige

This is the most telling word in the release. I would bet he has to represent himself because no lawyers will take the case.

edited to correct spelling error

rapier144 · April 11, 2006, 02:57 PM

You all should stop picking on Mr Fife that was his name wasn't it?

And who will replace the one round he's allowed to carry?

Mikeyboy · April 11, 2006, 03:10 PM

I still don't understand what the purpose of sending a DEA agent to show school kids a bunch of real guns was for??? Moral of the story kids is mind that trigger when holstering your Glocks.

mete · April 11, 2006, 04:17 PM

The tape was interesting -the kids seemed to be somewhat bored , slouching in their chairs. After the shot they were all sitting up ,paying close attention !! In the old days pre PC the teacher would have put the dunce cap on him !...Sour grapes.

hogzilla · April 11, 2006, 04:24 PM

When dea talks at the next shcool they should play this tape to show how dangerous gun could be when you don't know what you are doing

Eghad · April 11, 2006, 05:34 PM

"bring me that other gun"

"hey guys its all right its empty"

the kids say NOOOOOOOOOO

the kids are smarter than the DEA agent. LOLOLOL

atlctyslkr · April 11, 2006, 05:50 PM

Arrogance about firearms is probably just as bad as drinking and then messing with one. Sounds like this guy has some issues. There are better ways of instructing than professing how much you know.

torque · April 11, 2006, 05:57 PM

rhgunguy · April 11, 2006, 06:14 PM

I laughed when he said that he was the only one qualified to handle that weapon. My 12 year old sister shows better gun handling abilities. Did he not realize that if he has a full mag in the weapon and lets the slide go forward it make it a full charged weapon?

The fact that the release of the video makes it impossible for him to continue to be UC is regretable, but talking to kids in a classroom could blow his cover just as easily.

**tyme** · April 11, 2006, 06:17 PM

Anything that a government agent does not pertaining to an active investigation should be public knowledge, except in cases of national security. Even broadly interpreted, this doesn't qualify as a national security concern.

So, if he does have a claim, it's only because of an invalid internal privacy policy at the DEA.

UniversalFrost · April 11, 2006, 06:26 PM

A buddy of mine showed me this video a few months ago and I almost died laughing. I can't believe this guy was even allowed to handle a weapon.

Also, what was he doing with a loaded weapon at a school? This guy reminds me of a shop instructor I had in high school who was teaching a class how to "safely" use a rip saw and ended up cutting all the fingers on his right hand off

This guy is a laughing stock and I sure wouldn't want him around me when he has a weapon. This guy should be a desk jockey for the rest of his career!!

Bender711 · April 11, 2006, 06:28 PM

AT first I thought that he did that on purpose to show how easily you can shoot your foot off. But now that he's sueing I'm sure he's just stupid.

**Rich Lucibella** · April 11, 2006, 06:30 PM

Quote:

when his firearm (a Glock .40) accidentally discharged

Way to go, guy. No need to contemplate any sort of, ummm, "contributory negligence" on your part.

The evil gun just "accidentally discharged", did it?

And this guy complains that he's no longer allowed to teach firearms safety to kids. Wonder why?
Rich

Wildcard · April 11, 2006, 07:30 PM

Quote:

claiming that his career has been crippled and he's become a laughingstock due to the embarrassing clip's distribution.

No. His Careed is crippled because he is a complete screwtard. A screwtard that has no business being around a firearm, ever, for the rest of his life.

Quote:

"once regarded as one of the best undercover agents, if not the best, in the DEA,"

:barf:

If he is that negligent with firearms, wonder what else he is negligent about. He has no business wearing a badge, or being around any children or adults with a firearm.

PATH · April 11, 2006, 07:34 PM

My momma told me, "stupid is as stupid does!"

Gosh! Every time I see this tape I laugh till it hurts. Government training at its finest! Oh, you can't make this stuff up!

croyance · April 11, 2006, 07:57 PM

Quote:

He also notes that he is no longer "permitted or able to give educational motivational speeches and presentations.

I don't really believe that showing the scar on his foot and saying "This is what happens when you get stupid" is a useful educational tool.

As for the video, it was taken by a private citizen in a place where the public (parents) were allowed. It is a public service to let people know he does not properly handle firearms.
Unless the recording was immediately turned over, it is entirely possible there was another copy anyways. It is also possible there were other parents recording this.
For undercover work and such, the DEA has other positions. He screwed up on his own, now he expects the same level of trust in his abilities?

Webleymkv · April 11, 2006, 08:05 PM

As Ron White says, "You can't fix stupid."

strike-hold · April 11, 2006, 08:36 PM

That is one of the funniest things I ever saw. "Now bring me that other gun" a car-15, yeah right. I'd be getting a little squirmish too! Those kids were scared to death. The front line of our war on drugs. I wonder if he'll get a purple heart for that?

http://media.putfile.com/03084899

Ledbetter · April 11, 2006, 09:07 PM

This guy is no better at lawyering than he is at giving safety demonstrations. The complaint is full of irrelevant information (he used to be a pro football player?!?--So what?) I would love to be at his deposition when he testifies that the GUN had an accident.

Hopefully, the court will sanction him by making him pay the government's attorney fees. There is a very strong argument to be made that the video is a public record subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act and that the DEA had no legal alternative other than releasing it.

This guy should get the 2005 Lon Horiuchi Jackboot award, given for heinous actions in the line of duty by federal agents.

Csspecs · April 12, 2006, 12:22 AM

Good he lost his job. If he can't avoid shooting his own foot I don't think I want him pointing a gun at me.

Gave the kids a good laugh at least.

pipoman · April 12, 2006, 08:33 AM

The version of the film I saw before didn't have the second gun...

Does anyone know if the DEA normally carries with an empty tube?

I can't understand how this even happened. Releasing the slide lock even feels and sounds different when there is a loaded mag in the gun.

Quote:

pro se
(proh say) prep. Latin for "for himself." A party to a lawsuit who represents himself (acting in propria persona) is appearing in the case "pro se."

What is the saying? "The lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client"?

April 11, 2006, 12:16 PM	#1
JSalcedo Member Join Date: February 22, 2002 Posts: 84	DEA agent who shot himself in video suing over tapes release. http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0411061foot1.html DEA Agent Who Shot Self In Foot Sues U.S. Seeks damages for distribution of humiliating gun accident video 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)

April 11, 2006, 12:19 PM	#3
MuzzleBlast Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2001 Location: Arkansas. Much better place since Bill and Hillary went home. Posts: 1,041	"Not only am I a moron, I am a whiny moron." __________________ Molwn labe!

April 11, 2006, 02:57 PM	#6
rapier144 Senior Member Join Date: October 2, 2005 Location: tennessee Posts: 686	You all should stop picking on Mr Fife that was his name wasn't it? And who will replace the one round he's allowed to carry? __________________ Scan and Breathe Scan and Breathe Stupidity should hurt

April 11, 2006, 04:24 PM	#9
hogzilla Member Join Date: April 1, 2006 Location: NY Posts: 18	When dea talks at the next shcool they should play this tape to show how dangerous gun could be when you don't know what you are doing __________________ s&w 586 ruger markII xd 9

April 11, 2006, 05:34 PM	#10
Eghad Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 6,231	"bring me that other gun" "hey guys its all right its empty" the kids say NOOOOOOOOOO the kids are smarter than the DEA agent. LOLOLOL __________________ Have a nice day at the range NRA Life Member

April 11, 2006, 12:17 PM	#2
JSalcedo Member Join Date: February 22, 2002 Posts: 84	This guy is a buffoon. What ever flack he got from this video was richly deserved.

April 11, 2006, 12:30 PM	#4
QuaTscH94 Member Join Date: March 27, 2006 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 67	ROFL! I tried real hard not to laugh while at the office. He made an absolute fool of himself, especially by saying "I'm the only one I know of in the room professional enough to carry a gun" right before shooting himself right in the foot LOL. Hey it could be worse...like the Fire chief in Arizona that got caught screwing his neighbors sheep

April 11, 2006, 03:10 PM	#7
Mikeyboy Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2005 Posts: 1,231	I still don't understand what the purpose of sending a DEA agent to show school kids a bunch of real guns was for??? Moral of the story kids is mind that trigger when holstering your Glocks.

April 11, 2006, 04:17 PM	#8
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	The tape was interesting -the kids seemed to be somewhat bored , slouching in their chairs. After the shot they were all sitting up ,paying close attention !! In the old days pre PC the teacher would have put the dunce cap on him !...Sour grapes.

April 11, 2006, 05:50 PM	#11
atlctyslkr Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 613	Arrogance about firearms is probably just as bad as drinking and then messing with one. Sounds like this guy has some issues. There are better ways of instructing than professing how much you know.

April 11, 2006, 05:57 PM	#12
torque Member Join Date: February 21, 2006 Location: Magnolia, AR Posts: 86

April 11, 2006, 06:14 PM	#13
rhgunguy Junior member Join Date: March 7, 2006 Posts: 1,057	I laughed when he said that he was the only one qualified to handle that weapon. My 12 year old sister shows better gun handling abilities. Did he not realize that if he has a full mag in the weapon and lets the slide go forward it make it a full charged weapon? The fact that the release of the video makes it impossible for him to continue to be UC is regretable, but talking to kids in a classroom could blow his cover just as easily.

April 11, 2006, 06:17 PM	#14
tyme Staff Join Date: October 13, 2001 Posts: 3,355	Anything that a government agent does not pertaining to an active investigation should be public knowledge, except in cases of national security. Even broadly interpreted, this doesn't qualify as a national security concern. So, if he does have a claim, it's only because of an invalid internal privacy policy at the DEA. __________________ “The egg hatched...” “...the egg hatched... and a hundred baby spiders came out...” (blade runner) “Who are you?” “A friend. I'm here to prevent you from making a mistake.” “You have no idea what I'm doing here, friend.” “In specific terms, no, but I swore an oath to protect the world...” (continuum) “It's a goal you won't understand until later. Your job is to make sure he doesn't achieve the goal.” (bsg)

April 11, 2006, 06:26 PM	#15
UniversalFrost Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,300	I fell out of my chair laughing!! A buddy of mine showed me this video a few months ago and I almost died laughing. I can't believe this guy was even allowed to handle a weapon. Also, what was he doing with a loaded weapon at a school? This guy reminds me of a shop instructor I had in high school who was teaching a class how to "safely" use a rip saw and ended up cutting all the fingers on his right hand off This guy is a laughing stock and I sure wouldn't want him around me when he has a weapon. This guy should be a desk jockey for the rest of his career!! __________________ Lifetime member VFW and NRA "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (when all else fails play dead) -Red Green

April 11, 2006, 06:28 PM	#16
Bender711 Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 340	AT first I thought that he did that on purpose to show how easily you can shoot your foot off. But now that he's sueing I'm sure he's just stupid. __________________ From a Mod "Seeing as how "butt Smurf" is not profanity in the usual sense and humorously creative, I'll leave this up for now"

April 11, 2006, 07:34 PM	#19
PATH Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 1999 Location: Rockland, NY Posts: 1,489	My momma told me, "stupid is as stupid does!" Gosh! Every time I see this tape I laugh till it hurts. Government training at its finest! Oh, you can't make this stuff up! __________________ For sure it is an evil spite, and breaking to the heart, For Irishmen to watch a fight and not be taking part. -Robert Service 'How MacPherson Held The Floor'

April 11, 2006, 08:05 PM	#21
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,446	As Ron White says, "You can't fix stupid."

April 11, 2006, 08:36 PM	#22
strike-hold Junior member Join Date: April 6, 2006 Location: The Lone Star State Posts: 52	now that's funny!!! That is one of the funniest things I ever saw. "Now bring me that other gun" a car-15, yeah right. I'd be getting a little squirmish too! Those kids were scared to death. The front line of our war on drugs. I wonder if he'll get a purple heart for that? http://media.putfile.com/03084899

April 11, 2006, 09:07 PM	#23
Ledbetter Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2000 Location: California USA Posts: 4,533	This guy is no better at lawyering than he is at giving safety demonstrations. The complaint is full of irrelevant information (he used to be a pro football player?!?--So what?) I would love to be at his deposition when he testifies that the GUN had an accident. Hopefully, the court will sanction him by making him pay the government's attorney fees. There is a very strong argument to be made that the video is a public record subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act and that the DEA had no legal alternative other than releasing it. This guy should get the 2005 Lon Horiuchi Jackboot award, given for heinous actions in the line of duty by federal agents. __________________ Regards, Ledbetter from thefiringline TFL #4573 NRA for Life Winchester Canyon Gun Club for Life

April 12, 2006, 12:22 AM	#24
Csspecs Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Posts: 1,111	Good he lost his job. If he can't avoid shooting his own foot I don't think I want him pointing a gun at me. Gave the kids a good laugh at least.