Wednesday, December 03, 2025

FEAR ON TRIAL -- UPDATE: Four hour hearing December 4, 2025 CANCELLED -- RESCHEDULED on Fire Chief Scott Bullard's $500,000 jury verdict against St. Johns County, Florida


RESCHEDULED TO  January 29, 2026, 1 PM, before Judge Don H. Lester, Courthouse 365 (Chambers)

Former St. Johns County Fire Chief Scott Bullard won a $500,000 jury verdict after a three day jury trial on October 20-23, 2025.  A four hour hearing will be on December 4, 2025 at 1 PM in Clay County Courthouse before the Honorable Circuit Court Judge, Don H. Lester, on post-trial motions.  Motions in he case of Scott Bullard v. St. Johns Count include former Fire Chief Scott Bullard's motion for equitable relief and St. Johns County's motion to set aside the jury verdict.  

Former Fire Chief Bullard seeks reinstatement, backpay and other equitable remedies. 

Prior coverage here:

https://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2025/10/fear-on-trial-st-johns-county-faces.html

https://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2025/10/bulletin-wrongfully-fired-sjc-fire.html

https://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2025/10/bulletin-wrongfully-fired-sjc-fire.html

https://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2025/10/fear-on-trial-october-20-23-2025-jury.html

https://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2025/10/fear-on-trial-st-johns-county-faces.html


Still no response from St. Johns County to messages left for controversial County Administrator JUNYAO "JOY" ANDREWS, et al, 






Docket sheet:

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Judge:
MALTZ, HOWARD M. 
Case Number:
CA23-1937 
Clerk File Date:
11/3/2023 
Total Fees Due:
0.00 
Agency Report Number:
 
Court Type:
Circuit Civil 
Uniform Case Number:
552023CA001937A000XX 
Status Date:
11/3/2023  
Custody Location:
 
Case Type:
Contracts and Indebtedness 
Status:
OPEN  
Waive Speedy Trial:
Agency:
 
DATEEVENTJUDGELOCATIONRESULT
12/4/2025 1:00 PM HEARING (CIVIL) LESTER, DON H Zoom  
12/4/2025 1:00 PM HEARING (CIVIL) MALTZ, HOWARD M. Chambers  
10/23/2025 8:30 AM TRIAL (CIVIL) LESTER, DON H Courtroom 264 CANCELLED  
10/22/2025 8:30 AM TRIAL (CIVIL) LESTER, DON H Courtroom 264 COMPLETED  
10/21/2025 8:30 AM TRIAL (CIVIL) LESTER, DON H Courtroom 264 COMPLETED  
10/20/2025 8:30 AM TRIAL (CIVIL) LESTER, DON H Courtroom 264 COMPLETED  
10/20/2025 8:30 AM JURY SELECTION (CIVIL) LESTER, DON H Courtroom 264 COMPLETED  
10/6/2025 1:30 PM CIVIL DOCKET SOUNDING MALTZ, HOWARD M. Courtroom 351 COMPLETED  
9/4/2025 3:00 PM HEARING (CIVIL) MALTZ, HOWARD M. Chambers 365 COMPLETED  
9/2/2025 1:30 PM CIVIL DOCKET SOUNDING MALTZ, HOWARD M. Courtroom 351 COMPLETED  
4/10/2025 9:45 AM HEARING (CIVIL) MALTZ, HOWARD M. Chambers 365 CANCELLED  
4/10/2025 9:30 AM HEARING (CIVIL) MALTZ, HOWARD M. Chambers 365 CANCELLED  
4/7/2025 1:30 PM CIVIL DOCKET SOUNDING MALTZ, HOWARD M. Courtroom 351 CANCELLED  
4/3/2025 2:00 PM HEARING (CIVIL) MALTZ, HOWARD M. Chambers 365 CANCELLED  
4/2/2025 4:00 PM HEARING (CIVIL) MALTZ, HOWARD M. Chambers 365 COMPLETED  
4/2/2025 3:45 PM HEARING (CIVIL) MALTZ, HOWARD M. Chambers 365 COMPLETED  
4/2/2025 3:30 PM HEARING (CIVIL) MALTZ, HOWARD M. Chambers 365 COMPLETED  
4/2/2025 3:15 PM HEARING (CIVIL) MALTZ, HOWARD M. Chambers 365 COMPLETED  
2/26/2024 4:00 PM HEARING (CIVIL) MALTZ, HOWARD M. Chambers 365 COMPLETED  
2/26/2024 3:45 PM HEARING (CIVIL) MALTZ, HOWARD M. Chambers 365 COMPLETED  
2/26/2024 3:30 PM HEARING (CIVIL) MALTZ, HOWARD M. Chambers 365 COMPLETED  
2/26/2024 3:15 PM HEARING (CIVIL) MALTZ, HOWARD M. Chambers 365 COMPLETED  
IMAGEDINDATEENTRY
 12511/6/2025CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING HEARING WITH JUDGE LESTER - DECEMBER 4, 2025, AT 1:00PM FOR 4 HOURS; APPEARANCES IN CLAY COUNTY COURTROOM 10 OR BY ZOOM 
 12911/5/2025DEFENDANT’S AMENDED MOTION FOR REMITTITUR 
 12811/5/2025PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR AN AWARD OF EQUITABLE RELIEF 
 12711/5/2025DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR REMITTUR 
 12611/5/2025DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO SET ASIDE VERDICT AND FOR ENTRY OF JUDGMENT FOR DEFENDANT AND SUPPORTING MEMORANDUM OF LAW1 
 12410/29/2025EVIDENCE CHANGE OF CUSTODY 
 12310/22/2025VERDICT 
 12210/22/2025JOINT EXHIBIT CONTROL LIST 
 12110/22/2025COURT NOTES - JURY TRIAL DAY 3 
19  11910/22/2025FINAL JURY INSTRUCTIONS 
 11810/22/2025PROPOSED VERDICT FORM 
33  11710/22/2025JOINT PROPOSED JURY INSTRUCTIONS 
41  11610/22/2025JOINT PROPOSED JURY INSTRUCTIONS AND PLAINTIFF'S REQUESTED JURY INSTRUCTIONS 
 11510/21/2025COURT NOTES - JURY TRIAL DAY 2 
 11410/20/2025SUBPOENA FOR TRIAL - SERVED OCTOBER 20, 2025 - UPON LILIAN HUTCHINSON 
 11310/20/2025COURT NOTES - JURY SELECTION / PICK & GO 
 11210/20/2025JOINT EXHIBIT LIST 
  11110/7/2025EMAIL SENT TO: DELEGAL, THOMAS ALBERT III; ZABIJAKA, MARGARET PHILIPS; THAKKAR, COLIN ARVIND; UNDERKOFLER, ALEXANDRA ELIZABETH; WHEELER, GARY RANDALL; POOLE, JERRY RAY; MASON, ERIN E REGARDING SERVICE OF COURT DOCUMENT – CA23-1937, BULLARD, SCOTT VS. ST. JOHNS COUNTY WITH 1 ATTACHMENTS FROM DOCKET: ORDER FOLLOWING FINAL DOCKET CALL -10/7/2025 
 10910/7/2025ORDER FOLLOWING FINAL DOCKET CALL 
 11010/6/2025COURT NOTES 
  1089/16/2025EMAIL SENT TO: DELEGAL, THOMAS ALBERT III; ZABIJAKA, MARGARET PHILIPS; THAKKAR, COLIN ARVIND; UNDERKOFLER, ALEXANDRA ELIZABETH; WHEELER, GARY RANDALL; POOLE, JERRY RAY; MASON, ERIN E REGARDING SERVICE OF COURT DOCUMENT – CA23-1937, BULLARD, SCOTT VS. ST. JOHNS COUNTY WITH 1 ATTACHMENTS FROM DOCKET: ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION IN LIMINE -9/15/2025 
 1079/15/2025ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION IN LIMINE 
 1069/4/2025COURT NOTES 
  1059/4/2025EMAIL SENT TO: DELEGAL, THOMAS ALBERT III; UNDERKOFLER, ALEXANDRA ELIZABETH; WHEELER, GARY RANDALL; POOLE, JERRY RAY; MASON, ERIN E REGARDING SERVICE OF COURT DOCUMENT – CA23-1937, BULLARD, SCOTT VS. ST. JOHNS COUNTY WITH 1 ATTACHMENTS FROM DOCKET: ORDER SCHEDULING TRIAL AND DIRECTING PRETRIAL PROCEDURES - DOCKET SOUNDING ON OCTOBER 6, 2025, AT 1:30 PM -9/3/2025 
 1049/3/2025ORDER SCHEDULING TRIAL AND DIRECTING PRETRIAL PROCEDURES - DOCKET SOUNDING ON OCTOBER 6, 2025, AT 1:30 PM 
 1039/2/2025COURT NOTES 
29  1029/2/2025JOINT PRETRIAL STATEMENT 
  1018/28/2025EMAIL SENT TO: JUDICIAL ASSISTANT SUSAN MILLER REGARDING SERVICE OF COURT DOCUMENT – CA23-1937, BULLARD, SCOTT VS. ST. JOHNS COUNTY WITH 2 ATTACHMENTS FROM DOCKET: PLAINTIFF’S DESIGNATION OF COURT REPORTER FOR SEPTEMBER 4, 2025, HEARING DEFENDANT’S DESIGNATION OF COURT REPORTER FOR SEPTEMBER 4, 2025, HEARING -8/27/2025 
  978/28/2025EMAIL SENT TO: JUDICIAL ASSISTANT SUSAN MILLER REGARDING SERVICE OF COURT DOCUMENT – CA23-1937, BULLARD, SCOTT VS. ST. JOHNS COUNTY WITH 1 ATTACHMENTS FROM DOCKET: NOTICE OF HEARING ON PLAINTIFF’S MOTION IN LIMINE - SEPTEMBER 4, 2025 AT 3:00-8/27/2025 
 1008/27/2025DEFENDANT’S DESIGNATION OF COURT REPORTER FOR SEPTEMBER 4, 2025, HEARING 
 998/27/2025DEFENDANT’S NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPEAR VIA ZOOM 
 988/27/2025PLAINTIFF’S DESIGNATION OF COURT REPORTER FOR SEPTEMBER 4, 2025, HEARING 
 968/27/2025PLAINTIFF’S NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPEAR BY ZOOM 
 958/27/2025NOTICE OF HEARING ON PLAINTIFF’S MOTION IN LIMINE - SEPTEMBER 4, 2025 AT 3:00 
  948/7/2025ATTORNEY: MASON, ERIN E ASSIGNED TO BULLARD, SCOTT 
 938/6/2025NOTICE OF APPEARANCE 
 927/17/2025PLAINTIFF’S PRELIMINARY NON-EXPERT WITNESS LIST 
 917/17/2025NOTICE OF REJECTION OF ARBITRATION DECISION AND REQUEST FOR TRIAL 
 907/14/2025PLAINTIFF'S FIFTH REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS 
  887/4/2025NOTICE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION WITHIN COURT FILING 
 897/3/2025PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT LIST 
 877/3/2025DEFENDANT ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA’S AMENDED EXHIBIT LIST FOR TRIAL 
 866/18/2025PLAINTIFF’S EXPERT WITNESS DISCLOSURE 
  856/11/2025ATTORNEY: POOLE, JERRY RAY ASSIGNED TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY 
 846/9/2025NOTICE OF APPEARANCE AND DESIGNATION OF EMAIL ADDRESSES 
 835/22/2025NOTICE OF TAKING DEPOSITION OF ED HOUSTON 
 825/22/2025NOTICE OF TAKING DEPOSITION OF PATRICK WELCH 
 815/9/2025NOTICE OF COURT ORDERED, NON BINDING ARBITRATION 
 805/5/2025NON-BINDING ARBITRATION NOTICE OF SELECTION OF ARBITRATOR; PARTY CONSENT TO ARBITRATOR AN ARBITRATOR'S FEE DISCLOSURE ARBITRATION MANAGEMENT AND SCHEDULING ORDER 
  795/1/2025EMAIL SENT TO: DELEGAL, THOMAS ALBERT III; ZABIJAKA, MARGARET PHILIPS; THAKKAR, COLIN ARVIND; UNDERKOFLER, ALEXANDRA ELIZABETH; WHEELER, GARY RANDALL REGARDING SERVICE OF COURT DOCUMENT – CA23-1937, BULLARD, SCOTT VS. ST. JOHNS COUNTY WITH 1 ATTACHMENTS FROM DOCKET: ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT'S UNOPPOSED MOTION FOR SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL -5/1/2025 
  785/1/2025ATTORNEY: WHEELER, GARY RANDALL ASSIGNED TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY 
 775/1/2025ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT'S UNOPPOSED MOTION FOR SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL 
 764/22/2025UNOPPOSED MOTION FOR SUBSTITUTION OF CO-COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT 
 754/3/2025NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF HEARING ON PLAINTIFF’S MOTION IN LIMINE 
  704/3/2025EMAIL SENT TO: DELEGAL, THOMAS ALBERT III; ZABIJAKA, MARGARET PHILIPS; THAKKAR, COLIN ARVIND; UNDERKOFLER, ALEXANDRA ELIZABETH REGARDING SERVICE OF COURT DOCUMENT – CA23-1937, BULLARD, SCOTT VS. ST. JOHNS COUNTY WITH 3 ATTACHMENTS FROM DOCKET: ORDER DENYING DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT; ORDER SCHEDULING TRIAL AND DIRECTING PRETRIAL PROCEDURES -4/3/2025 
 694/3/2025ORDER SCHEDULING TRIAL AND DIRECTING PRETRIAL PROCEDURES - DOCKET SOUNDING SET FOR SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 AT 1:30PM 
 684/3/2025ORDER REFERRING CASE TO NON-BINDING ARBITRATION 
 674/3/2025ORDER DENYING DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT 
 744/2/2025NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPEAR VIA ZOOM AT HEARING ON DEFENDANT’S UNOPPOSED MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE OF THE TRIAL DATE 
 734/2/2025NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPEAR VIA ZOOM AT HEARING ON DEFENDANT’S UNOPPOSED MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE OF THE TRIAL DATE 
 714/2/2025NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF HEARING 
 724/2/2025NOTICE OF HEARING- 4/3/2025 AT 2:00 PM 
 664/2/2025COURT NOTES 
  654/2/2025ATTORNEY: UNDERKOFLER, ALEXANDRA ELIZABETH ASSIGNED TO BULLARD, SCOTT 
 644/2/2025DEFENDANT’S UNOPPOSED MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE OF THE TRIAL DATE 
 633/28/2025PLAINTIFF’S NOTICE OF SERVING AMENDED ANSWERS TO DEFENDANT’S SECOND SET OF INTERROGATORIES 
 623/24/2025NOTICE OF SERVING DEFENDANT'S SUPPLEMENTAL ANSWERS TO PLAINTIFF'S SECOND SET OF INTERROGATORIES 
 613/21/2025PLAINTIFF’S RESPONSES TO DEFENDANT’S SECOND REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS 
 603/21/2025PLAINTIFF’S NOTICE OF SERVING ANSWERS TO DEFENDANT’S SECOND SET OF INTERROGATORIES 
 593/19/2025NOTICE OF TAKING DEPOSITION OF CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVE 
113  583/19/2025PLAINTIFF'S RESPONSE IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND SUPPORTING MEMORANDUM OF LAW 
833  573/19/2025PLAINTIFF’S NOTICE OF FILING TRANSCRIPTS DEPOSITION TRANSCRIPT, AND EXHIBITS THERETO, OF JOY ANDREWS, TAKEN NOVEMBER 1,2024 DEPOSITION TRANSCRIPT, AND EXHIBITS THERETO, OF BRAD BRADLEY, TAKEN NOVEMBER 8,2024 DEPOSITION TRANSCRIPT, AND EXHIBITS THERETO, OF LILIAN HUTCHINSON, TAKEN JANUARY 9,2025 DEPOSITION TRANSCRIPT, AND EXHIBITS THERETO, OF MICHAEL CUZZORT, TAKEN FEBRUARY 13,2025 DEPOSITION TRANSCRIPT, AND EXHIBITS THERETO, OF SEAN MCGEE, TAKEN FEBRUARY 13, 2025 DEPOSITION TRANSCRIPT, AND EXHIBITS THERETO, OF CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVE, DESIREE RUIZ WORONER, TAKEN MARCH 10, 2025 
 563/17/2025NOTICE OF HEARING - APRIL 10, 2025 AT 9:30AM 
96  553/14/2025PLAINTIFF’S MOTION IN LIMINE 
 543/7/2025AMENDED NOTICE OF TAKING DEPOSITION OF CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVE 
325  533/7/2025PLAINTIFF'S NOTICE OF FILING TRANSCRIPT 
 523/7/2025NOTICE OF TAKING DEPOSITION OF CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVE 
 512/27/2025NOTICE OF HEARING - APRIL 2, 2025, AT 3:15 PM 
 502/19/2025PLAINTIFF’S FIRST REQUEST FOR ADMISSIONS TO DEFENDANT 
 492/19/2025PLAINTIFF’S FOURTH REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS 
 482/19/2025PLAINTIFF’S NOTICE OF SERVING SECOND SET OF INTERROGATORIES TO DEFENDANT 
 472/19/2025NOTICE OF SERVING DEFENDANT’S SECOND SET OF INTERROGATORIES TO PLAINTIFF 
 462/13/2025DEFENDANT'S PRELIMINARY NON-EXPERT WITNESS LIST 
510  452/13/2025DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT 
 442/13/2025PLAINTIFF’S PRELIMINARY NON-EXPERT WITNESS LIST 
 432/12/2025AMENDED NOTICE OF TAKING DEPOSITION OF MICHAEL CUZZORT 
 422/6/2025DEFENDANT ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA’S EXHIBIT LIST FOR TRIAL 
 412/6/2025NOTICE OF MEDIATION 
 402/4/2025PLAINTIFF’S TRIAL EXHIBIT LIST 
 392/4/2025PLAINTIFF’S PRELIMINARY NON-EXPERT WITNESS LIST 
  381/22/2025EMAIL SENT TO: DELEGAL, THOMAS ALBERT III; ZABIJAKA, MARGARET PHILIPS; THAKKAR, COLIN ARVIND REGARDING SERVICE OF COURT DOCUMENT – CA23-1937, BULLARD, SCOTT VS. ST. JOHNS COUNTY WITH 1 ATTACHMENTS FROM DOCKET: ORDER REFERRING CASE TO MEDIATION -1/22/2025 
 371/22/2025ORDER REFERRING CASE TO MEDIATION 
 361/16/2025NOTICE OF TAKING DEPOSITION OF MICHAEL CUZZORT 
 351/16/2025NOTICE OF TAKING DEPOSITION OF SEAN MCGHEE 
 341/7/2025PLAINTIFF’S THIRD REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION 
 3312/20/2024UNIFORM CASE MANAGEMENT ORDER 
 3211/21/2024NOTICE OF TAKING DEPOSITION OF LILLIAN HUTCHINSON 
 3110/15/2024NOTICE OF TAKING DEPOSITION OF JOY ANDREWS 
 3010/15/2024NOTICE OF TAKING DEPOSITION OF BRAD BRADLEY 
  299/3/2024EMAIL SENT TO: DELEGAL, THOMAS ALBERT III; ZABIJAKA, MARGARET PHILIPS; THAKKAR, COLIN ARVIND REGARDING SERVICE OF COURT DOCUMENT – CA23-1937, BULLARD, SCOTT VS. ST. JOHNS COUNTY WITH 1 ATTACHMENTS FROM DOCKET: ORDER SCHEDULING JURY TRIAL AND DIRECTING PRETRIAL PROCEDURES -8/30/2024 
 288/30/2024ORDER SCHEDULING JURY TRIAL AND DIRECTING PRETRIAL PROCEDURES - DOCKET SOUNDING SET FOR APRIL 7, 2025 AT 1:30PM 
 278/5/2024PLAINTIFF'S SECOND REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION 
 266/21/2024PLAINTIFF, SCOTT BULLARD'S RESPONSES AND OBJECTIONS TO DEFENDANT'S FIRST REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS 
 256/21/2024PLAINTIFF'S NOTICE OF SERVING VERIFIED ANSWERS AND OBJECTIONS TO DEFENDANT'S FIRST SET OF INTERROGATORIES 
 244/24/2024PLAINTIFF'S FIRST REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION 
 234/24/2024PLAINTIFF'S NOTICE OF SERVING FIRST SET OF INTERROGATORIES ON DEFENDANT 
 223/25/2024DEFENDANT ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA’S ANSWER, DEFENSES, AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES TO PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT 
  213/5/2024EMAIL SENT TO: DELEGAL, THOMAS ALBERT III; ZABIJAKA, MARGARET PHILIPS; THAKKAR, COLIN ARVIND REGARDING SERVICE OF COURT DOCUMENT – CA23-1937, BULLARD, SCOTT VS. ST. JOHNS COUNTY WITH 1 ATTACHMENTS FROM DOCKET: ORDER DENYING MOTION TO DISMISS -3/5/2024 
 203/5/2024ORDER DENYING MOTION TO DISMISS 
 192/26/2024COURT NOTES 
  182/15/2024ATTORNEY: POINDEXTER, JAMES C ASSIGNED TO BULLARD, SCOTT 
  172/15/2024ATTORNEY: THAKKAR, COLIN ARVIND ASSIGNED TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY 
 162/13/2024NOTICE OF APPEARANCE AND DESIGNATION OF EMAIL ADDRESSES 
10  152/13/2024PLAINTIFF’S RESPONSE IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO DISMISS PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT 
 141/2/2024NOTICE OF HEARING - FEBRUARY 26, 2024, AT 3:15 PM 
  1312/14/2023ATTORNEY: ZABIJAKA, MARGARET PHILIPS ASSIGNED TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY 
 1212/7/2023MOTION TO DISMISS PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT 
 1111/3/2023CORPORATE SUMMONS STATUS SET TO CIVIL SUMMONS ISSUED ON 11/03/2023 FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY 
 1011/3/2023AMENDED STANDING ORDER FOR CIVIL CASES IN DIVISION 55 
 911/3/2023PAYMENT $410.00 RECEIPT #2023048467 
  711/3/2023CA/DR SUMMONS ASSESSED $10.00 
  611/3/2023JUDGE MALTZ, HOWARD M.: ASSIGNED 
  511/3/2023ATTORNEY: DELEGAL, THOMAS ALBERT III ASSIGNED TO BULLARD, SCOTT 
  111/3/2023CONTRACT AND INDEBTNESS ASSESSED $400.00 
  411/3/2023CASE FILED 11/03/2023 CASE NUMBER CA23-1937 
82  211/1/2023COMPLAINT AND DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL 
 311/1/2023CIVIL COVER SHEET 
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