Watchdog Report Vol.10 No.27 December 6, 2009
CONTENTS
Argus Report: Knight Foundation leads charge for broadband access for all; role of seasoned journalist with community history should not be underestimated
Florida: Local state legislators hear the fiscal cries from almost 60 organizations over hours, but state money scarce
Miami-Dade County: Commissioner Jordan calls “print media out of control,” but shining light on how public money is used is Miami Herald’s job
Broward County: School Board member Hope in the spotlight, elected in 2006 with two firsts, had $90,000 net worth through 2008
Palm Beach County: Long serving school board Member Richmond in spotlight, had $953,000 net worth through June 2009
St. Johns County: State Sen. Hill in the spotlight, minority leader in body, had $285,000 net worth through 2008
Holmes County: State Sen. Peadon in the spotlight, elected to the body in 2000, had $3.8 million net worth through June
Escambia County: Gov. Crist appoints David Rimmer of Pensacola to the First Judicial Circuit Court.
Orange County: Gov. Crist appoints four to the West Orange Healthcare District
Monroe County: U.S. Rep. Ros-Lehtinen calls for FKAA to be able to sell tax credit bonds, but needs local congressional delegation help
Miami-Dade Public Schools: District has 84 charter schools, 67 others pending, but what will Fl Virtual Schools impact be, “spreading like wild fire”
Public Health Trust: Trust and county agreement gets update after a decade; whistleblower complaints expected to go up says Chair Copeland
City of Miami: Eight candidates for Dist. 1 & Nine apply for Dist. 5 seat, clock ticking before Jan. 12 election, with runoff expected
City of Hialeah: Local tax preparer gets two-year federal sentence for false income taxes
City of Miami Beach: Venerable Breakfast Club, civics grass roots 101, Commissioner Libbin to speak Tuesday
City of West Miami: There he goes again; Gov. Crist suspends West Miami Mayor Carasa; 33rd removal since taking office
Community Events: Children’s Home Society Holiday Toy Drive — King Mango Strut Parade set for Dec. 27, marchers wanted!
Editorials: Have we become a nation of self-absorbed people with uninvited couple crashing White House State Dinner? — PAST WDR: Jan. 2004: What happens to someone in the community that stays informed and involved?
Letters: Reader on Coral Gables web site information and property taxes — Reader on Atty. Kuehne case being dropped
Sponsors – Publisher’s mission statement & Subscription information is at the bottom of this issue
>>> Just because you do not take an interest in politics does not mean politics will not take an interest in you. –Pericles (430 B.C.)
>>> The Watchdog Report publisher would like to thank the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation www.knightfoundation.org for funding the University of Miami’s Knight Center of International Media http://knight.miami.edu within the University’s School of Communication www.miami.edu assistance to rebuild my web site www.watchdogreport.net that is now on line again, since the previous one was shut down in July 2008. Past reports will continue to go on line in the future, potentially as far back as May 2000. This institutional support is a major break through for me, and I am deeply appreciative of the help these two substantial international institutions have given me at a time the site was an unbudgeted expense and to keep the Watchdog Report a community education resource, while also being a decade old news service.
>>> Three checks came in this week, so if you think it is important to have someone watching your public institutions consider becoming a supporter or sponsor. For there is no trust fund and I do have to live. A convenient form is at the bottom of this week’s Watchdog Report with all the instructions on how to support this decade old newsletter and news service. Thank you.
ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street
>>> Knight Foundation leads charge for broadband access for all; role of seasoned journalist with community history should not be underestimated
The Miami Herald www.miamiherald.com in its Issues & Ideas section of Sunday’s paper ran two columns on the evolving state of the media and print journalism as the industry tries to find a economic model that works with the advent of the internet, high-speed broadband technology and other rapidly changing technology allowing readers to get their news in a host of new ways. Eric Newton, vice president of the journalism program at the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation calls for accelerating national access to high-speed broadband for all in the nation if we as a country are to compete on a global scale. Kathleen McGrory, a veteran education reporter with The Herald, wrote the other column and she dissects the role of college journalists in covering local activities across a wide swath of subjects as the number of dedicated beat reporters drop in numbers. The issue of high-speed broadband where America has fallen behind with “nearly two dozen nations now rank[ed] ahead of the United States,” wrote Newton, is scary in its global impact and danger to the United States.
However, the one issue not discussed when it comes to local or regional news coverage is community history, knowledge of how events transpired ten years ago, what was said and who made the decisions. When it comes to politics and local government in south Florida what makes the Watchdog Report unusual is I process all the information myself, am physically in the field attending the events, and after 12-years of doing this activity, with a decade of writing about these $15 billion in public institutions. It is my historical knowledge that plays a key role every week when I write and you cannot get that knowledge with students or even short time professional reporters because two or three years in a community only gives you a quick general taste of the players and how public money is being spent. Thus, as media organizations and universities grapple with where news technology in the future is going, and how to make it a financially viable business model. The issue and importance of community history cannot be underestimated. For if, the veneer is all readers get, the Republic will not be the vibrant nation that we must be, in this competitive global world that has leapfrogged ahead of us, when it comes to high-speed access and while this technology has been a blessing in many ways.
Without a historical foundation of the community, a reporter cannot get the full story and all its ramifications, not just now, but in the future and that component should be factored into any discussions for there is a role for seasoned reporters in the future. If our society wants in-depth, revealing and accurate news and while bloggers fill a role. The duration of their writing in this manner varies from a short time to a few years, each blog is judged in its own right, and news accuracy tips the scale in their favor for many of the writers, but not all of them follow this guide and is the weakness of instant postings that many times are anonymous. To read the Knight Foundation 118-page report on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy go to www.knightcomm.org >>> Editor’s note: The Knight Foundation is a sponsor of the Watchdog Report and is helping get past reports back on line with the University of Miami.
>>> Press release: This week, on December 4, 2009, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) will join the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar for the groundbreaking of a one-mile bridge for the Tamiami Trail portion of the Modified Water Deliveries project. This project, 20 years in the making, aims to restore flows through Everglades National Park and into Florida Bay. The project is an important step towards restoring unimpeded water flows into Northeast Shark River Slough, the historic shallow river that serves as the main source of water for the park and Florida Bay.
“We applaud the efforts of the federal government for starting the process of bridging Tamiami Trail,” said Sara Fain, NPCA Everglades Restoration Program Manager. “However, this is only the beginning and we can’t stop here. Ten miles of road continues to block water from reaching the park, which is the lifeblood of the Everglades.” While the one-mile bridge is a long way from actually restoring the Everglades, it is a step in the right direction, and can be built upon in the second phase of Tamiami Trail bridging. Science shows that the only way to meaningfully restore Everglades National Park and the wildlife it protects is to build a series of bridges along the 11 miles of Tamiami Trail that cuts through Northeast Shark River Slough. The National Park Service (NPS) is currently developing a plan to build additional bridges along this 11-mile stretch that blocks flows into Everglades National Park. The next project will complement this one-mile bridge that is breaking ground this week. By including the greatest amount of bridging possible, this project allows water managers to take full advantage of the restoration benefits to be provided from the state of Florida’s recent River of Grass land acquisition in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA). “We need a sustained commitment now from both the federal government and the state of Florida to make sure we develop, fund, and implement the next steps for modifying Tamiami Trail,” said Fain. “Only then can water once again flow into Northeast Shark River Slough, as it once did, to re-create the historic River of Grass.”>>> NPCA will be tweeting live from the event; follow us on Twitter at @NPCA. To arrange an interview in advance with NPCA, please contact Sara Fain at 305.546.6689. For more information, visit www.npca.org/southflorida.org
>>> Thanks to my supporters, the Watchdog Report, celebrated its Tenth Anniversary on May 5th.
Over the past ten years there have been so many stories and here are just a miniscule few that have been in the past 410 Watchdog Report’s that each has had almost three dozen stories or announcements per week, and that does not include around 100 Watchdog Report EXTRAS over this time. Back in September 2000, then county manager Merrett Stierheim gave the Watchdog Report the gift of a lifetime when I wrote he would be retiring by Feb 1 and he responded with a official county memo to the mayor and commissioners titled Rumor Control blasting my assertion that later became true. Other stories broken were that Miami Police Chief John Timoney was joining Miami in Jan. 2003 and that there was a man in Italy claiming to be a Miami vice Mayor and being wined and dined by Italian officials even though the city does not have such an office. Over the years I have covered almost every significant story regarding Jackson Memorial Hospital, the school board and county and sent a EXTRA from the PAC construction committee in the summer of 2003 noting the arts centers would be 20-months delayed and needed immediately over $60 million in new funding that ultimately came in at $472.9 million.
In addition, I have covered the Miami-Dade ethics commission and the Office of the Inspector General since there inception and over the years have done dozens of stories on people busted by both agencies since then. For me it is difficult to reflect sometimes on past stories because there have been so many and generally once I have done it I move on to the many other news stories that develop every day and spring up like weeds every week. I have tried to be the news contrarian, and if there is major media at an event, I will move on unless I have something significant to add, and given the size of our public institutions, something is always going on somewhere else. We may just not be aware of it.
>>> See what was said about the Watchdog Report in the Miami New Times 2003 — Best of Miami — BEST CITIZEN — Daniel Ricker –
Three years ago, we said Ricker was our Best Gadfly. Given his dedication and perseverance, this new honor, Best Citizen, is well deserved. Ricker goes to 2500 mind-melting meetings annually, from the Public Health Trust’s purchasing subcommittee to the Efficiency and Competition Commission to the Alliance for Human Services’ nominating council to the school board’s audit committee. Sometimes he’s the only public observer. Object: to be the Public Citizen for all those out there who can’t attend, and to connect and serve as an information bridge among the special-interest-dominated Miami-Dade governmental institutions that seem so problematic and indifferent to the democratic process.
This month his e-mail newsletter, The Watchdog Report, celebrates its fourth anniversary. In a former life Ricker made a handsome living as an international salesman of heart pacemakers. As the hard-working publisher of Watchdog Report, though, he’s struggling financially — this despite the fact that his weekly compendium of meeting summaries, analysis, interviews, and commentary has become essential reading for anyone involved in public affairs. What his written work may lack in polish, it more than makes up for in comprehensiveness. So raise a toast to the man whose official slogan says it all: “A community education resource — I go when you cannot!”
FLORIDA
>>> Local M-DC state legislators hear the fiscal cries from over 60 organizations, but state money scarce
Over 60 organizations were listed to speak in front of the Miami-Dade County legislative Delegation meeting Wednesday in the county commission chambers and it was televised. About ten legislatures and others staff members listened to numerous presentations and the groups were a cross section of the community services ranging from the local state attorney office to Safe Haven for New Borns. Miami-Dade assistant state attorney Chet Zerlin told legislators that the state’s largest prosecution office can take “no more budget cuts and we need your help, and don’t cut us [any]more” the prosecutor said. He warned the office was being “put into the position of which clients do we prosecute and which we don’t,” and while he appreciated the difficult state finances. He and Katherine Fernandez-Rundle will be in Tallahassee during the regular legislative session lobbying for more funding. State Sen. Nan Rich, D-Broward/Miami-Dade asked Zerlin about attorney turnover. He said they are losing about five prosecutors a month, and yearly they are trying to hire 50 to 70 more of them to fill the leaking legal talent leaving the office.
>>> Stanley G. Tate discussed the legislators need to keep the state university system tuition under control. Tate who the legislature named the Florida Prepaid College fund after said if the increases continue at there rate. “Forty-eight percent of Florida kids cannot afford a college education,” he predicted. He noted, “Low income families want an education” for there kids and why Miami-Dade College has 168,000 students, and why it is the nation’s largest public college, he said. When it came to the impact of the prepaid program with over 1 million participants in it since its creation in the 1980s. I’m “not sure what is going to happen” and he suggested looking at the $431 million spent on Bright Futures Scholarships which originally was to spur academic excellence in high school but he now believes there “should be a need based criteria,” added to the state program.>>> For more information go to Florida Prepaid | Prepaid College | Florida 529 Plans The best way from the nursery room to the dorm room. The easiest way from the monkey bars to the corporate ladder. http://www.myfloridaprepaid.com
>>> The head of Miami Children’s Hospital told legislators the H1N1 flu has resulted in 330 children coming into the emergency room and it is taxing the pediatric medical center. www.mch.com Miami Children’s Hospital Miami Children’s Hospital renowned for excellence in pediatric medicine, MCH has over 600 attending physicians and over 130 pediatric sub-specialists.
>>> Mark Rosenberg, the President of FIU thanked the legislators for the support in getting a medical school at the local university. He called its establishment “a miracle” and the new 43 medical students, who started there first year in August, will expand community based medical services as they start to graduate in the future, he said. The president is looking for $4 million in “incremental funding” from the state to allow the process to continue, that already includes a clinic in north Dade and one in the south is slated to open in the future. www.fiu.edu
>>> The Florida Poison Control Center staff discussed the need for funding noting the organization received over 188,000 calls regarding being people being poisoned in 2008 and the calls came from a wide variety of sources including physicians. For more information go to www.fpicn.org or call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.
>>> Staff of Safe Haven for Newborns brought along former state Rep. Rene Garcia, R-Miami and they discussed the value of such an organization that since July 2000, at the different drop off locations, has received 139 newborn babies from mothers that were unable to raise the children. State Rep. Luis Garcia, D-Miami Beach said when he was a fire chief on Miami Beach. They had the first location at a firehouse there, and “this is a worth while program,” he thought. The locations with the prominent Safe Haven signs are at fire stations and hospitals that are open 24/7. www.asafehavenfornewborns.com
>>> Another delegation session open to public speakers and organizations is planned for Dec. 16th said the delegation chair state Rep. Juan Zapata, R-Miami but he did not mention the location from the dais.
>>> What did Sen. Rich say about next year’s state budget?
Rich in an exclusive interview with the Watchdog Report in the county government center after the meeting, when I asked her to describe the new state budget next year. She said, “Painful is probable the word” and with another $2.5 billion expected state revenue shortfall that will cut across the board many “crucial services” will be cut and overall is creating “a very difficult situation,” she said. “We are already into the [fiscal] bone” with all the past cuts needed to balance the state’s budget but she said now we “are going into the bone marrow,” and believes the past legislature sessions missed an opportunity to generate new revenue desperately needed once the federal stimulus money is no longer available to plug up state fiscal budget holes in the coming years.
>>> Press release: Gov. Crist announced the following reappointments and appointments: Boating Advisory Council
Mark R. Leslie, 49, of Melbourne, dockmaster with the City of Titusville, reappointed for a term beginning December 3, 2009, and ending September 30, 2012.
Frank E. Gernert, 45, of Fort Lauderdale, president and chief executive officer of Professional Diving Schools of Florida, reappointed for a term beginning December 3, 2009, and ending September 30, 2012.
Joseph T. Lewis, 53, of Mount Dora, owner and general manager of Mount Dora Boating Center and Marina, succeeding Jennifer Field, appointed for a term beginning December 3, 2009, and ending September 30, 2012.
JoAnn R. Mogle, 78, of Punta Gorda, retired sailing instructor and trainer, succeeding Edward Seguna II, appointed for a term beginning December 3, 2009, and ending September 30, 2012.
April S. Price, 50, of St. Lucie, self employed, marketing and public relations, succeeding Richard Jones, appointed for a term beginning December 3, 2009, and ending September 30, 2012.
>>> Press release: The Eleventh Judicial Circuit is pleased to announce that Sandra M. Lonergan, currently the Director of Criminal Operations for this circuit, has been appointed as the next Trial Court Administrator of the Miami-Dade County Courts – the largest trial court circuit in the state and fourth-largest in the nation. Ms. Lonergan, the first female Hispanic court administrator in the history of the Eleventh Circuit, succeeds Ruben O. Carrerou, who retires in January, 2010.
Ms. Lonergan brings to the position more than 25 years of successful court operations experience. As Criminal Operations Director for the past 14 years, she has overseen the day-to-day operations, programs and services of the Miami-Dade Courts’ Criminal Division, ensuring continuous court service delivery in a fast-paced, high-volume environment where an average of 44,000 cases are heard each year. With the assistance of her leadership, the Eleventh Circuit has successfully established a repeat offender’s court, drug court, and a mental health diversion program. Ms. Lonergan also oversees our court reporting and court interpreting programs, key services without which the courts would not be able to operate. >>>Prior to serving as Criminal Operations Director, Ms. Lonergan oversaw the court interpreter and translation department for 10 years, during which time she helped establish training and qualification standards for the Circuit. Prior to that, she served for two years leading the creation of special projects in County Criminal Court. Ms. Lonergan was selected pursuant to a nationwide search for qualified applicants, a process led by a selection committee composed of the administrative judges from every division of the Miami-Dade Circuit and County Courts, and chaired by the Honorable Maria M. Korvick. The committee screened and interviewed applicants and submitted the names of finalists to Chief Judge Joel H. Brown for a final selection. Under the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, Chief Judge Brown’s selection of Ms. Lonergan must be ratified by a concurring majority vote of the judges of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. “Ms. Lonergan is a proven leader who has dedicated her entire professional life to the Miami-Dade Courts. She will continue to lead this Circuit with integrity and professionalism, the very same qualities that have led to the creation of so many successful programs in our Criminal Division,” said Chief Judge Joel H. Brown.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
>>> Commissioner Jordan calls “print media out of control,” but shining light on how public money is used is Miami Herald’s job
An almost three-hour discussion by the county Commission produced no real results except to take The Miami Herald www.miamiherald.com to the verbal woodshed. The bulk of the commission felt the general circulation paper had misportrayed what they were doing on international missions to enhance trade, commerce and tourism and the body “can’t be reactive” to the newspaper said Commissioner Bruno Barreiro. “Trade and tourism” is our community life blood said Commission vice Chair Jose “Pepe” Diaz and he wished more business organizations would join in. He noted “Georgia is kicking our butt” and that “means less jobs for our community” and the paper should be careful because there is blowback when the economy dips. “And when we do something positive” that is never in the paper and one of us will be left, he predicted in the future.
Commissioner Natacha Seijas (net worth $655,000) called the paper’s stories “tabloid journalism” and she noted all the information about the consortium, its activities, the money was budgeted and accounted for, is online for the public to view. She said her “father was a career diplomat” and traveled the world and she takes her post as chair of the ITC very seriously. The International Trade Consortium (ITC) was created in the 1990s to facilitate trade contacts with other international cities and countries. www.miamidade.gov/itc
What about other commission fly-ins?
Commission Chair Dennis Moss (net worth $472,000) in a discussion with the Watchdog Report on Tuesday noted that I had flown ahead a few years ago when the body flew into the nation’s capital and they did work hard. But that is here in America and while the international trips are legal, were budgeted; the commission needs to be sure they are productive. For it does open them up for criticism and the perception these trips are junkets since it is difficult to measure the results of these trips.
What about the Richmond Perrine Optimist Club audit?
At this Tuesday’s school board audit committee the Optimist Club in South Dade’s yearly audit will be discussed and Moss is the organization’s CEO and is paid around $65,000 in that capacity. He has run a tight ship over the years and the audits have been very clean in the past. The school’s auditor notes the level of cash is down but otherwise the audit appears benign in nature.
>>> Commission set to approve another four-year contract with county IG Mazzella, body to vote Dec. 15
Christopher Mazzella, the only Inspector General Miami-Dade County has ever had, will have his four-year contract renewed after Commission Chair Dennis Moss added the item to the Tuesday commission agenda on short notice. The IG’s contract is up Dec. 20th and the Watchdog Report brought up the contract issue last week. During the discussion Commissioner Joe Martinez said when it came to the IG office, “we are doing something right, though you won’t hear about it” in the media. Mazzella also is the IG at the school district and commissioners gave him rave reviews last week. “You done good,” said Commissioner Dorrin Rolle giving the IG a verbal pat on the back. However, the IG will have to reduce his pay as other county employees are doing and he responded that downward adjustment would not be a problem.
>>> Will some Miami-Dade County Commissioners party hardy this Christmas and New Year?
The Watchdog Report has periodically over the past decade reported on some of the different holiday parties and other events county commissioners have had, with some of the fetes occurring during election season but that was in a different economic climate, and I am waiting to see who else besides Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz (net worth $226,000) is having an elaborate celebration. The commission has been reeling from their international travel stories that they say are correct but in the public mind it sounds a little questionable and isn’t that a state function in many ways. However, the point is the county with a $444 budget adjustment during the current year, and hundreds of millions of dollars less next year. It would seem prudent to exercise a little restraint because it gives the impression that some of these leaders still believe in letting the good times roll on.
>>> MIA Director Abreu says only .8 percent passenger drop; Souto says facility touches everyone in community
Jose Abreu, the director of Miami-Dade aviation department told a commission airport and seaport committee Friday that MIA passenger travel was only down .8 percent and was much better than many other airports around the nation with some having double digit reductions he told the attending commissioners. Commissioner Javier Souto said “MIA is sacred so to speak” and the facility touches everyone in Dade County and we must “keep it in our hearts,” he said. Souto believes the success of MIA is critical as an economic engine and the attendant jobs and is where “the rubber meets the road” and “touches everyone in the community,” he closed.
>>> What about Souto’s quest for more transparency?
Souto had introduced legislation that would require meeting with commissioners and county staff be open to the public and some transcript of the discussion. Souto believes that vote trading is going on with the administration and wants that practice curtailed but the commission on Tuesday shot it down. The following is his response to the media after the vote. >>> Press release: OPEN LETTER FROM COMMISSIONER JAVIER D. SOUTO: In all my years of public service, I have never seen a government as dysfunctional as this one, it is difficult to function in an environment where honesty, integrity and public service is not as valued as it once was and as it should be. This is why I have decided to sponsor a series of measures to bring transparency into the operations and the inner workings of County government. One ordinance on this Tuesday’s agenda, sought to outlaw the practice of vote trading between the Commissioners and the Administration. I proposed that all meetings between a Commissioner and the Mayor, the County Manager or any Assistant County Manager, or department director to discuss pending legislation be in a public forum, so that the taxpayers can see why decisions are made that impact their taxes and their community. Another ordinance that I sponsored required that the resumes, educational attainment and employment history of all persons earning over $100,000 be posted publicly, so that we as taxpayers can make certain that we are paying for the most qualified and experienced employees and not overpaying for favoritism. While I truly believe that the vast majority of County employees are good hard working people, I think that they have grown frustrated with the current organizational culture. A County that was the model of excellence for many years because of the professionalism of its employees at every level from top to bottom is corrupted by the pervasive organizational politics.
I knew it would be difficult to secure 7 votes on this County Commission to reform government, and the proof is that I was only able to secure the support of Commissioner Gimenez, Commissioner Sorenson and Commissioner Heyman. However, as long as I know that I have the support of the people of this community, I will continue to sponsor items to reform our government on behalf of the tax payers and bring transparency in government, ethics in government and integrity in government. Maybe eventually together we will turn the corner and make Miami Dade County a government that we can be proud of once more. I refuse to settle for anything less.
On a positive note, a third Ordinance which seeks amend the County’s Code of Ethics to require that the Mayor and every County Commissioner receive a copy of the latest version of Miami-Dade County’s Code of Ethics prior to his or her swearing in ceremony, was adopted on first reading. As part of the ceremony, each Commissioner would then sign a sworn affidavit attesting under oath that he or she has read the Code of Ethics and agrees to abide by the Code at all times in carrying out his or her duties. This is an extremely high standard of ethics and a Commissioner who later breached any provision of the Code of Ethics would place himself or herself in a precarious position of claiming ignorance to or lack of knowledge as to the Standard of Ethics, with a signed affidavit attesting to the contrary on file as part of the oath of office. Let’s see if this item survives the Committee process and is ultimately adopted by the full Board.
>>> Press release: Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department is recognized as a leader in Water Conservation Efforts
At the Fall 2009 Conference of the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association, held this week, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer’s Water Conservation Program was once again recognized; this year with five awards: The awards included: In the Demand Management Research Category: Best In Class for: Landscape Irrigation Campaign Show of Excellence for: High Efficiency Toilet Rebate Project -Show of Excellence for: Senior Retrofit Project >> In the Demand Management Category: Best In Class for: Standards Manual: In the Public Information Category: Meritorious for: “Every Drop Counts” Poster Contest
“We accept these recognitions on behalf of the residents of Miami-Dade County”, stated Maribel Balbin, Sustainability Program Manager for Water Resources. “Our efforts are rewarded not only by these honors, but by the unprecedented water consumption reduction that has taken place as a result of this program. Our residents know that wasting water is “Use Less” and our children know that “Every-Drop-Counts”. These recognitions are shared with Miami-Dade Government Information Center for their wit and creativity in communicating the conservation message and the FIU School of Engineering for their work in research and analysis in water resources”. “The residents of Miami-Dade County have demonstrated that they understand the importance of protecting our natural resources and have committed to using water efficiently”, stated John W. Renfrow, Director of the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department. He continued: “Their appreciation of our water resources and their willingness to participate with our Department’s programs has set a very strong, positive example for all the people of Florida.
BROWARD COUNTY
>>> Board member Hope in the spotlight, elected in 2006 with two firsts, had $90,000 net worth through 2008
Phyllis C. Hope, a member of the school board is in the spotlight this week and she is the first Black female to hold the school District 6 seat. She was elected in 2006 and has a variety of educational skills, including being a lab technician. http://www.browardschools.com/schoolboard/members/hope.htm
What do we know about her finances?
Hope through Dec. 2008 had a net worth of $90,000 and she lists $25,000 in household goods. Her liabilities are $216,000, $95,000 and $22,000 with different banks and Sallie Mae is owed $2,000. Two cars have loans of $8,000 and $4,175 and her only income for the year was $40,931 as a school board member.
>>> Press release: FORT LAUDERDALE ATTORNEY CHARGED IN BILLION DOLLAR PONZI SCHEME
Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Office, and Daniel W. Auer, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, announced the filing of a five-count Criminal Information charging attorney Scott Rothstein, 47, of Fort Lauderdale, FL, with one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute (Count 1); one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (Count 2); one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud (Count 3); and two counts of wire fraud (Counts 4 and 5). In addition, the Information seeks the forfeiture of $1.2 billion, including 24 pieces of real property, numerous luxury cars, boats, and other vessels, jewelry, sports memorabilia, business interests, bank accounts, and more. Defendant Rothstein made his initial appearance in federal court this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robin Rosenbaum. He was ordered detained pending trial. If convicted, he faces a total maximum statutory term of imprisonment of 100 years (20 years on each count). According to the Information, from around 2005 through November 2009, Rothstein engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity through his law firm, Rothstein, Rosenfeldt, and Adler, P.A. (RRA), located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Specifically, the Information alleges that RRA was the criminal enterprise through which defendant Rothstein and others fraudulently obtained approximately $1.2 billion from investors through bogus investment and other schemes. The Information alleges that defendant Rothstein and co-conspirators used RRA to fraudulently induce investors to: (1) loan money to non-existent borrowers based upon promissory notes and requests for short-term bridge loans for business financing; and (2) invest funds based upon anticipated pay-outs from purported confidential civil settlement agreements…. >>> A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
>>> OWNER OF HOME HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND ACCOMPLICE ARRESTED IN SCHEME TO BRIBE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR
Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office, and Christopher B. Dennis, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, announced the unsealing of a complaint and the arrest today of Yosvany Collera, 37, of Miami, and Belkis Camara Marquez, 36, of Sunrise, in connection with a bribery scheme. Collera and Marquez were arrested on a previously sealed criminal complaint charging them with corruptly bribing a public official to induce that person to do an act in violation of that person’s official duty, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 201(b)(1). They had their initial appearances in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robin S. Rosenbaum in Fort Lauderdale. Pretrial detention hearings are scheduled for Tuesday, December 8, at 10:00 in Fort Lauderdale before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry S. Seltzer.
According to an affidavit filed in the case, Collera is the owner and president of Lazaro Home Health Care, Inc., based in Miami. Lazaro Home Health Care had been a Medicare-certified home health services provider since 2005. From 2006 through August 2009, Lazaro Home Health Care submitted a total of approximately $10,467,300 in claims for reimbursement to Medicare for home health services purportedly provided to Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare paid a total of approximately $7,002,997 on those claims. In August 2009, Safeguard Services LLC (“SGS”), a Program Safeguard Contractor with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) and the Zone Program Integrity Contractor for Florida, suspended Medicare payments to Lazaro Home Health Care and suspended its Medicare provider number. As the Zone Program Integrity Contractor, SGS works as part of the Medicare Integrity Program on behalf of CMS to address fraud, waste, and abuse by Medicare-certified health care providers. In this capacity, SGS suspended Lazaro Home Health Care following a determination that overpayments had been made, misrepresentations had occurred in claims submissions, and that certain other payments were not correct.
The affidavit also alleges that in October 2009, Camara, an acquaintance of Collera’s, contacted an SGS employee on behalf of Collera offering any amount of money to the SGS employee if the SGS employee would help Collera clear up his company’s problems. In subsequent telephone conversations with Camara and Collera in November, the SGS employee, identified as a Cooperating Witness in an affidavit filed in the case, discussed Collera’s and Camara’s proposal with them. Collera allegedly told the SGS employee that Collera wanted his provider number back and told the employee that what Camara had offered was “100% guaranteed.” On Friday, November 13, 2009, the SGS employee met with Collera and Camara at a bookstore in Sunrise. During the meeting, Collera again told the SGS employee that Collera wanted his Medicare provider number restored and the payment suspension lifted. Collera told the SGS employee that Collera would pay the SGS employee $5,000 to do this, half now and half upon completion. Collera also told the SGS employee that Collera had other people he could bring to the SGS employee. When Collera and the SGS employee exited the bookstore, Collera handed $2,500 in cash to the SGS employee. “This is a tremendous problem you’re going to take off of me,” Collera told the SGS employee. “I’ll be grateful my whole life.” In another telephone conversation one week later, Collera told the SGS employee that Collera was ready to give the SGS employee the rest of the “medicine,” referring to the second $2,500 payment, when everything was done. “We will continue to investigate and prosecute those who try to compromise the integrity of Medicare’s fraud prevention contractors,” said Acting United States Attorney Jeffrey H. Sloman, “just as aggressively as we do those whose fraud schemes deplete the Medicare Trust Fund.” John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge of the Miami Office of the FBI stated, “This case shows the lengths criminals will go to commit health care fraud and how important it is to suspend Medicare payments as soon as possible. The FBI will continue to work with our partners to bring to justice those that are stealing U.S. taxpayers’ money and make medical care more expensive for all of us.” Christopher Dennis, Special Agent in Charge of the Miami Division of HHS-OIG stated, “The diligent work of the Program Safeguard Contractors is but one of the fraud fighting mechanisms in place to protect the Medicare Trust Fund. We look forward to working with both our public and private-sector partners to fight health care fraud in all of its forms.” This is the first prosecution in the Southern District of Florida involving attempted bribery of a Medicare Program Safeguard Contractor. >>> Mr. Sloman commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and thanked SGS and for its cooperation with the investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Hunter. >>> A Complaint is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
>>> Press release: Governor Charlie Crist today announced the following appointment: Early Learning Coalition of Broward County
Jeffrey “Jeff” Dwyer, 46, of Fort Lauderdale, attorney with the Law Office of Bohdan Neswiacheny, succeeding Harry Duncanson, appointed for a term beginning December 1, 2009, and ending April 30, 2013. Dwyer will serve as chair.
>>> Thank you for using the Broward County Commission Agenda E-mail Notification System. A new Broward County Commission Agenda is available. Point your browser to http://www.broward.org/commission/welcome.htm to view the new agenda.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
>>> Long serving Board member Richmond in spotlight, had $953,000 net worth through June 2009
Dr. Sandra Richmond, the school board vice chair is in the spotlight this week and she has been on the board for almost 20-years. Richmond, who has a Ph.D. in education had a tough race back in 2000 after the board districts changed from a countywide vote to only voters residing in the district, but she has retained her District 7 seat since then on the body. She represents southwest Palm Beach, Glades and Wellington and faces reelection in 2010. >>> http://www.palmbeach.k12.fl.us/publicaffairs/board.htm
What do we know abut her finances?
Richmond through June 28, 2009 had a net worth of $953,000 and she lists $65,000 in household goods. Her home is worth $460,000, a condominium is valued at $61,000, a lot of land is worth $80,000, some boating equipment is worth $17,000 and she has $290,000 in a retirement fund. The board member has liabilities with two banks of $9,000 each and credit cards are owed $2,000. Her income for the year was $82,000 as a professor at Palm Beach Community College and $40,000 came in from the school district as a board member.
>>> OWNER OF PALM BEACH COUNTY CHECK CASHING BUSINESS SENTENCED FOR FILING FALSE CURRENCY TRANSACTION REPORTS
Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Daniel W. Auer, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, and Richard Walker, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations, announced that defendant Munther Duaybes was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Donald L. Graham to 18 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release… >>>Mr. Sloman commended the investigative efforts of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Tsai. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
>>> Press release: Gov. Crist today appointed Leonard Hanser to the Palm Beach County Court.
“Leonard’s legal expertise, calm temperament and solid judgment will be of great benefit as he takes the bench,” Governor Crist said. “I am grateful that Leonard is ready and willing to serve the good people of Palm Beach County.” Hanser, 57, has been a general magistrate for the 15th Judicial Circuit since 1993. From 1978 to 1982 and 1989 to 1993, he practiced as a sole practitioner. Hanser practiced privately with Mitchell, Hanser & Schwartz; Mitchell, Hanser, Schwartz & Winkler; and Mitchell, Hanser & Winkler, respectively, from 1982 to 1989. Hanser began his law career in private practice as an associate attorney with Levy, Pilsco, Perry, Shapiro, Keen & Kingcade from 1977 to 1978. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his law degree from the University of Virginia. Hanser will fill the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Joseph Marx to the 15th Judicial Circuit.
ST. JOHNS COUNTY
>>> State Sen. Hill in the spotlight, minority leader in body, had $285,000 in net worth through 2008
State Sen. Anthony “Tony” Hill, Sr., D-Jacksonville is in the spotlight this week and the veteran Deomocrat is the body’s minority whip. Hill a former state representative from 1992 to 2000 was elected to the senate in 2002. He represents District 1 in the upper body, and the district includes Duval, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia. He has a B.A. from the National Labor College and is an employee with the SEIU union.
What do we know about his finances?
Hill through Dec. 2008 had a net worth of $285,000 and he lists $225,000 in household goods. He lists a $97,000 liability with Wachovia and his IRS 1040 lists income from the state as $31,000, there is $29,827 in business income listed and on the tax form for rental property income and other types businesses. He lists $97,822 for a total of $159,000 for the year.
>>> “Tony” Hill, Sr – Senators :Member Pages : flsenate.gov Senator Anthony C. “Tony” Hill, Sr. Bills Introduced · Press Releases. District Offices: 5600 New Kings Road Suite 5. Jacksonville, FL 32209-2146 …http://www.flsenate.gov/legislators/s1 – 56k – Cached >>Committee Membership: Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations, Vice Chair, Policy and Steering Committee on Governmental Operations, Policy and Steering Committee on Ways and Means, Children, Families, and Elder Affairs,
Community Affairs, Military Affairs and Domestic Security, Regulated Industries, Select Committee on Florida’s Economy, Florida Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations, Alternating Chair
HOLMES COUNTY
>>> State Sen. Peadon in the spotlight, elected to body in 2000, had $3.8 million net worth through June
State Sen. Durell Peadon, Jr., R- Crestview is in the spotlight this week and he was first elected to the senate in 2000. He is a retired physician, and was in the state house from 1994 to 2000 and he is chair of an important committee. He represents District 2 that includes Bay, Escambia, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington Counties.
What do we know about his finances?
Peadon through June 17, 2009 had a net worth of $3.8 million and he lists $50,000 in household goods. He has a broad range of investments valued at $3.9 million and his only liabilities are a home mortgage owed $36,996 and an office-building mortgage is owed $48,515. He filed his IRA 1040 for 2008 and his income for the year was $324,000.
>>> Senator Durell Peaden, Jr – Senators :Member Pages : flsenate.gov, Senator Durell Peaden, Jr. Bills Introduced. District Offices: 598 North Ferdon, Boulevard Crestview, FL 32536-2753 (850) 689-0556. Senate VOIP: 40200 … http://www.flsenate.gov/legislators/s2 >>> Committee Membership: Health and Human Services Appropriations, Chair, Policy and Steering Committee on Commerce and Industry, Policy and Steering Committee on Ways and Means, Agriculture, Commerce, Judiciary, Military Affairs and Domestic Security, Joint Legislative Sunset Committee
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
>>> Press release: Governor Charlie Crist appoints David Rimmer of Pensacola to the First Judicial Circuit Court.
“David’s extensive experience as a law enforcement officer and as an assistant state attorney for the First Judicial Circuit makes him an ideal choice for this post,” said Governor Crist. “I am confident his proven determination, integrity and commitment to excellence throughout his private and public career will be invaluable as he serves from the bench.” A 42-year resident of Florida, Rimmer, 61, has served as an assistant state attorney for the First Judicial Circuit since 1982. While attending Pensacola Junior College and the University of West Florida, he served as a police officer with the Pensacola Police Department from 1971 to 1972 and as a deputy sheriff with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office from 1972 to 1979. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida and a law degree from Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama. Rimmer will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Anthony Skievaski.
ORANGE COUNTY
>>> Press release: Gov. Crist appoints four, to the following board: West Orange Healthcare District
Kathy H. Aber, 62, of Windermere, reporter and staff writer with The West Orange Times, reappointed for a term beginning November 18, 2009, and ending September 30, 2013.
Hilliary “Gerald” Jowers, 61, of Winter Garden, chief executive officer and president of U. S. Lead Inc., succeeding Timothy Keating, appointed for a term beginning November 18, 2009, and ending September 24, 2013.
Timothy M. Keating, 49, of Winter Garden, president of R. C. Stevens Construction Company, succeeding Evans Hubbard, appointed for a term beginning November 18, 2009, and ending September 30, 2013.
Beverly R. Thornton, 49, of Ocoee, executive assistant with Orange County Sheriff’s Office, succeeding Milton West, appointed for a term beginning November 18, 2009, and ending September 24, 2013.
MONROE COUNTY
>>> U.S. Rep. Ros-Lehtinen calls for FKAA to be able to sell tax credit bonds, but needs Congressional delegation help
Press release: Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a senior member of the Florida Congressional Delegation, co-sponsored legislation that would allow public water agencies, like the FKAA, to issue tax credit bonds as a way to finance new water supply technology. The “Clean Renewable Water Supply Bond Act” would be a tremendous help to public water agencies in their efforts to modernize their operations and improve the environment. New technologies allow us to provide new sources of clean water but while the costs of these new technologies continue to decline, the initial expense required to build this infrastructure is still too high to use conventional financing such as tax exempt bonds. This bill would remedy this by providing a more comprehensive subsidy that can be attained through the use of tax credit bonds.
Public agencies would use these bonds in the same manner that they presently issue conventional tax-exempt municipal bonds, and the proceeds from the bond sales would result in an interest free loan to the public water agency. Rather that the agency making interest payments to the holders of the bonds, as is the case with conventional tax exempt municipal bonds, the federal government would provide the bondholders with a tax credit equal to their previously projected interest payments. Said Ros-Lehtinen, “This bill would be good for the Florida Keys as it provides another opportunity to get water quality improvement monies without going through the current lengthy appropriations process. I urge my colleagues in the Florida Delegation to co-sponsor it.”
MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
>>> District has 84 charter schools, 67 others pending, but what will virtual schools impact be, “spreading like wild fire”
At a school board committee meeting Thursday it was stated that there are now 84 Charter Schools in Miami-Dade and more are slated in the future. The issue of the proliferation of these public funded schools that don’t get the financial oversight that they should has shot through the roof and Florida is the sixth largest state in the nation when it comes to these alternative schools. Miami-Dade Public Schools, the nation’s fourth largest public schools district has 350 schools but enrollment patterns are changing with only west Dade still expanding in enrollment said board member Ana Rivas Logan at the meeting.
The district, with around 342,000 students is further reviewing the application for another 67 schools (though staff said they would not all be approved) but it shows the numbers being requested and these new schools are further eroding the district’s public school capacity and public revenues. Further, another method of teaching, Virtual Schools is “catching on like wildfire,” said one administrative staffer after the meeting and currently the state has 70,000 students enrolled in that program. Florida Virtual School – an online e-learning K-12 solution Florida Virtual School is an accredited, public, online e-learning school-serving students in grades K-12 all over the world. http://www.flvs.net .
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>>> Trust and county agreement gets update after a decade, whistleblower complaints expected to go up says Chair Copeland
A meeting concerning the PHT board and Miami-Dade County officials is scheduled this week and it is the first time the group has gotten together in a decade. Neither past CEO Ira Clark nor Marvin O’Quinn had updated the agreement between the two public entities that should be updated every three years or so but fell through the cracks. The Watchdog Report caught-up with health trust President and CEO Eneida Roldan, M.D., over the weekend and I asked her about the meeting. She said it was just one more thing she is dealing with but that it needed to get updated and concluded. Roldan has had her hands full with the trust that is struggling with a shortage of cash, and with a $64 million a month payroll; cash is king at the health trust.
>>> Ethics Director Meyers says whistleblower complaints up, Copeland says not unexpected given the situation
John Copeland, III, the PHT board chair said it was not unexpected that whistleblower complaints were up given the fiscal challenges the trust is facing and employee numbers are being reduced. The issue came up after Robert Meyers, the director of the county ethics commission at a recent meeting said the “number is increasing” coming into the commission’s office and Copeland said the “complaints will continue to go up over the next few months given what the administration is having to do,” he concluded.
>>> Trust/County AOA Committee: Angel Medina, Jr., Chairperson John H. Copeland, III, Rosy Cancela, Jorge L. Arrizurieta, Eneida O. Roldan, M.D., President & CEO, Jackson Health System, Carlos Alvarez, Mayor, Miami-Dade County, Dennis Moss, Chairman, Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners. >> A Trust/County AOA Committee meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. in the Institute Annex Building Conference Room, Suite 410. (Click on “Directions to the Medical Center” below to see how to arrive at the conference room.)
CITY OF MIAMI
>>> Eight candidates for Dist. 1 & Nine apply for Dist. 5 seat, clock ticking before Jan. 12 election, with runoff expected
The Miami Commission District 1 and 5 races have brought a slew of candidates, some from the past and others representing the future for two important commission districts in Miami. The eight candidates for commission District 1 and nine candidates vying for District 5 are a cross section of the new and old and in the future, when it comes to the candidates that have held office in the past. The Watchdog Report will be weighing in on these past political commissioners for they do have a public record and in the case of former Commissioner Willie Gort who lost his bid as city mayor in 2001. He has past history with me including chairing a very strange city Charter Review Committee created in the late 1990s whose sole mission was to create a vote on then Mayor Joe Carollo’s leadership. I attended the first meeting held in the commissioner’s office conference room, I persuaded them to use the commission chambers instead, and it only got stranger because the review panel acted like the television cameras were on, even speaking to residents about what was going on when in fact the meetings were not being televised. It was only about six-months into the process that the cameras finally came on. I spoke at the time noting this was the first time the public actually got to see the proceedings and what was going on. To see the list of candidates that qualified go to http://www.miamigov.com/City_Clerk/Pages/Elections/candidates.asp
>>> Press release: City of Miami Commission Meeting Rescheduled to December 10, 2009 >>> The City of Miami Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 3, 2009 is cancelled. The meeting will take place on Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 9:00 a.m., at City Hall Commission Chambers, 3500 Pan American Drive, Coconut Grove, Florida.
>>> Press release: MIAMI MAN ARRESTED FOR OBSTRUCTING A HEALTH CARE FRAUD INVESTIGATION
Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Christopher Dennis, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, announced the unsealing of an Indictment and the arrest today of Luis A. Baez, 38, of Miami. The Indictment unsealed today, but filed on November 12, 2009, charged Baez with obstruction of a health care fraud investigation in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1518. According to the Indictment, statements made in court, and documents filed in court, in January 2007, Baez told an FBI Special Agent who was conducting an investigation involving Med-Pro of Miami, Inc., that he had no knowledge of an entity known as the L. Baez Corporation or activities associated with the L. Baez Corporation. Baez knew this information was false. The Med-Pro investigation ultimately resulted in several indictments and convictions of various individuals for health care fraud and money laundering schemes involving millions of dollars in fraudulent reimbursement claims submitted to Medicare. According to documents filed in one of the Med-Pro cases, L. Baez corporation was used in connection with laundering proceeds of health care fraud. At his initial appearance today, it was reported that Baez had been working at two local hospitals up until the time of his arrest. Baez’s bond was set at $50,000. As a condition of his bond, Baez is prohibited from working in the health care industry. Baez faces up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted.
Mr. Sloman commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Hunter. An Indictment is only an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. >>> A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
>>> The following e-mail was sent to (now former) Mayor Manny Diaz using his e-mail address on his extensive city web-page on Sept. 13, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. and to date there has been no answer from the mayor.>>> “Mayor Diaz, I wanted to ask you in the chamber today but not in front of Chair Joe Sanchez. My question is where did the extra $400,000 in the 2007 disclosure form come from? I will run what ever you respond unedited but I would appreciate closing this issue, as I am sure you do. Sorry but I have to ask. Best to all. Dan” >>>> The Watchdog Report through Dec.7 has yet to get a response or catch-up with Miami Mayor Manuel Diaz on where he got the extra $400,000 in cash listed in his 2007 financial disclosure forms. To see what CBS 4 reporter David Sutta’s take on this issue and the other city leaders financial disclosures go to cbs4.com Blogs . >>> Readers should stay tuned and catch the meeting on the city’s cable station channel 77. >>> Stream Channel 77, for all City of Miami meetings, (Commission, Village Council meetings, Waterfront, Zoning, PAB, Code, etc. hearings) http://videos.miamigov.com/
CITY OF HIALEAH
>>> Press release: HIALEAH TAX RETURN PREPARER GETS TWO-YEAR SENTENCE FOR PREPARING FALSE INCOME TAX RETURNS
Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Daniel W. Auer, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, announced that defendant Zully M. Cordoba, of Hialeah, FL, was sentenced today before U.S. District Court Judge Patricia A. Seitz in connection with criminal tax violations related to her Hialeah-based tax preparation business. Cordoba previously pled guilty to Count 14 of a forty-five count Indictment and was sentenced to twenty-four (24) months’ imprisonment, to be followed by one year of supervised release. In addition, she was ordered to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. According to Count 14 of the Indictment and the written factual proffer filed with the Court during her plea, Cordoba admitted to preparing a false federal income tax return for a married couple by falsely claiming that $11,900 in unreimbursed employee business expenses and $3,9000 in charitable contributions during tax year 2000. In fact, no such expenses had been incurred. In her factual proffer, Cordoba admitted that she had engaged in criminal conduct similar to that described in Count 14 on multiple occasions as part of a scheme that involved numerous other clients. According to Cordoba’s written proffer, these additional clients, all of whom were employee wage earners, had no basis to take deductions for a variety of purported unreimbursed employee business expenses, including falsely claimed overnight business travel costs, costs associated with the non-commuting use of their personally owned cars for purported business purposes, and so-called business lunches and other job-related expenditures.
As acknowledged in Court by Cordoba during her guilty plea, Cordoba ran a tax return preparation business from her residence in Hialeah from January 2001 to April 2003. Thereafter, through April 2005, Cordoba continued her tax preparation business under the name “Cordoba Tax Services” from storefront offices located in a mall in Hialeah. Cordoba charged a $10 fee to “review” her clients’ original income tax returns, which they had prepared for themselves or had been prepared by other tax return preparers. Upon completing her “review” of her client’s returns, Cordoba prepared false Form 1040X amended returns, charging her clients10% of their expected tax refund based upon various alleged “overlooked” deductions, such as those previously described. In addition, Cordoba often claimed false charitable contributions and other miscellaneous deductions for many of these same clients. In addition to her fraudulent activities with regard to her clients’ amended tax returns, Cordoba admitted to filing false personal tax returns that substantially understated her income from the tax preparation business during the years 2002 – 2004. As revealed in Court during her sentencing hearing, Cordoba avoided approximately $114,000.00 in personal income taxes through these false returns, and received more than $26,154.00 in tax refunds, income credits and government-subsidized contributions to her own social security account. In light of these additional activities, Cordoba was required by the Court, as a special condition of her sentence and supervised release, to make restitution to the IRS for the $26,154.00 that she fraudulently obtained and to cooperate with the IRS in determining the precise amount of additional income tax that she will be assessed as a consequence of her false and underreported income for 2002-2004. >>> Mr. Sloman commended the investigative efforts of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter B. Outerbridge. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
>>> Venerable Breakfast Club, grass roots 101, Commissioner Libbin to speak Tuesday
The Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club is an incubator of ideas and political candidates and given its decade long longevity that has had attendees come and go. It still is a great event for Beach residents who want to hear the topics of the day and what there elected leaders say about them. Over the years, county mayoral candidates and state representatives and senators have all spoken and when you think about grass roof activists. Some of the attendees are the poster children of that activity.
>>> TUESDAY MORNING BREAKFAST CLUB –Meeting Date: Tuesday, December 8th, 2009, Meeting time: 8:30 AM, Meeting Location: David’s Café, 1654 Meridian Ave., South Beach
Miami Beach City Commissioner Jerry Libbin will be this week’s guest speaker at the December 8th meeting of the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club. Commissioner Libbin will be outlining his efforts on behalf of condominium owners who are being unfairly forced to pay maintenance fees and assessments for the banks on units that are in the slow process of being foreclosed on; a financial situation that threatens the ability of the other unit holders to retain their units. Last year Commissioner Libbin led an effort to modify the state statues that govern the liability of first mortgage holders, which was not acted on by the legislature. He is renewing his efforts this year and will be holding a Town Hall meeting on this subject from 5 PM to 7PM at the Loew’s Hotel on December 14th. He will be joined at the town hall meeting by several state legislators who are sponsoring bills to remedy this situation. >>> There is no charge for the Town Hall meeting or the Breakfast Club meeting and everyone is welcome to attend. >>> David Kelsey, Moderator for the Breakfast Club. For more information, contact David Kelsey. To be placed on the Breakfast Club’s mailing list, contact Harry Cherry. Both can be reached at: <TuesdayMorningBreakfastClub@Yahoo.com. To learn more about the Breakfast Club go to our new web site: www.MBTMBC.com (the Miami Beach Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club)
CITY OF WEST MIAMI
>>> They’re he goes again, Gov. Crist suspends West Miami Mayor Carasa, 33rd removal
Press release: Please see Executive Order 09-268, suspending Cesar Raul Carasa from the public office of mayor of the City of West Miami, Florida.
>>> Statement by Governor Charlie Crist Regarding Statewide Grand Jury
Governor Charlie Crist today filed a Second Amended Petition with the Florida Supreme Court for order to impanel a Statewide Grand Jury. This petition provides the requirements stated in the Court’s November 30, 2009, order. “Corruption among local officials across our state erodes the sacred trust the people of Florida have with their elected leaders. Florida’s State Attorneys have done tremendous work to rid our state of corruption, yet the fact that I have suspended Florida’s 33rd public official in less than three years is clear evidence that more can and must be done. I am confident that the review by a Statewide Grand Jury will result in recommendations that will restore the public trust.” Please find attached the Second Amended Petition for Order to Impanel a Statewide Grand Jury filed today by Governor Charlie Crist.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
>>> Dear CHS Friends and Supporters: It is that time of the year again when we gather with family and friends to celebrate the holidays. This year, while shopping for your loved ones, why not add a child in need to your list? The Children’s Home Society of Florida is conducting the Holiday Toy Drive for 2009 and your contribution—big or small—can help fulfill a child’s holiday dream. We welcome participation from all of your company employees, colleagues and friends. And we can provide you with wish lists. We have also updated our web site so you can see the lists of toys that kids love right now by age group—to help you select toys that will truly bring a smile to a child’s face. Here is a link to the web site with that information and more. http://www.chsfl.org/Locations/Southeastern/Holiday-Toy-Drive-2009 Our Holiday Toy Drive 2009 is also on Facebook. Join now for the most up-to-date information about our drive. http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=166368148228&ref=ts Without your help and assistance from so many others like you, the Children’s Home Society of Florida would not be able to ensure that more than 2,000 children we serve receive toys this holiday season.
>>> The King Mango Strut Parade is back on schedule at it will be held Dec. 27th with setting up starting around noon for the event held with a 2:00 pm kick off on Commodore Plaza in Coconut Grove. On Tuesday an organizational meeting is being held at Greenstreet Café at 7:00 p.m. and on Wednesday there is a kick-off party and it will include the announcement of who will be the grand marshal for the event founded in 1982.For more information go to www.kingmangostrut.org or call the Mango Hot line at 305-401-1171. Editor’s note: Check out Sunday’s story in www.miamiherald.com
EDITORIALS
>>> Have we become a nation of self-absorbed people with couple crashing White House State Dinner uninvited?
For many people, being self absorbed with fame and attitude seems to be the norm of the day, if you are on your cell phone walking across the street even though the orange hand is saying halt and the traffic is heavy. It is irrelevant, for you are on the phone. If you are an elected leader with an entourage always there at your side and you believe you are the center of the universe then you qualify as one of these people as well. But if you are just trying to keep your lights on, feed your family and keep a job, you are just an American. I call these people that are so self-absorbed Defective Gene People (DGP) and people like Scott Rothstein and so many others fall into this category. What is refreshing is many that could claim such a title because of their deeds, are really very normal people, and that has been one of the joys of what I do, getting to know such people, that are straight–up and leave their egos at home.
We see examples of this everyday, but when it applies to elected leaders from a small municipality to the halls of Tallahassee or Washington. The species is known and should be an endangered species for they have lost the spirit of why they ran for political office. Further, there are many officials that are what I call disgruntled commissioners because they are upset about the commissioner’s pay ($6,000 in the case of Miami-Dade County) even though they knew the pay before they ran for office and the number actually comes in at about $46,000 per year when the benefits are factored in. The nation’s electorate is desperately looking for upfront and transparent leaders at all levels, but it is difficult for most people to follow their government and how their public dollars might be spent in this new society of quick celebrity fame.
But you also have others who are looking for their 15-minutes of fame and the recent poster children of that thinking are Tareq and Michaele Salahis when they crashed a formal State Dinner at the White House and they look right at home at the exclusive affair, getting their photos with all the quests including President Barack Obama. In this case, the U.S. Secret Service is falling on its sword and taking the blame for the security clearing lapse but the bigger question is why someone would do that, unless their egos are totally out of control, and in the case of the couple. They may find there are legal consequences to their little jaunt to the nation’s capital and attending the dinner. However, what is clear is in our new culture, talent, hard work and diligence get thrown under the social fame train and it appears crossing the line of good taste and social manners has become passé, and it has bled into our mainstream society with politicians being only the tip of this dysfunctional social iceberg that continues to evolve as the years click by.
>>> PAST WDR: Jan. 2004: What happens to someone in the community that stays informed and involved?
What would you say and do if a national newspaper or other media outlet contacted you and you were asked to explain why the Watchdog Report readers were not supporting a person in the community that took the term citizen involvement to new heights using hard work seven days a week and the internet? The community’s non-subscribing readers, some that have been getting the report for years free should reflect on this for elected leaders and other community great ones always chide the public for their lack of interest in their government and non-involvement in the community. However, when someone actually takes them up on this it has been fascinating seeing who appreciates the information service versus those that just give lip service, to the notion of informed and educated citizenry, government and elected officials.
There is a chance in the future, some of you may get that opportunity, because apparently no one in the United States has ever done and achieved what the Watchdog Report has done by covering so many public institutions simultaneously and in such depth, by going to the most obscure meetings, and seeing projects and plans from the very beginning. This also includes helping public institutions be more efficient with your tax dollars. It has also not been lost to some people that I could have a very profitable business if I just cut everyone off but I will not because having a small group of people incredible informed would almost be dangerous and harmful for the community at large. Further, I regard the whole journey that I seem to have taken almost a miracle when you consider I started at a time when everyone was getting or had e-mail allowing my address list to swell to its present level.
The community has also provided the events and news that made what I was covering interesting, (Who could have predicted the events from1997-2004), and while the community is starting to move upward. There is still more to be done for all of us residing in south Florida. Thus, think about the unique resource that the community has in the Watchdog Report. Readers should consider supporting and subscribing so that both the highest and the lowest people here have a inside idea of what is happening in their public institutions, while saving hundreds of millions in public dollars through more effective government interface of the $12 billion in public dollars yearly that flow through Miami-Dade County yearly. My wealthy and successful readers, that are non-subscribers should think about this fact for some in the nation are fascinated with my ongoing Miami story and while I am a poster child of what the Magic City can be. It will take very little in the scheme of things and almost nothing financially in support for this to continue, but that lack of more community support is what outsiders seem to be focusing on.
LETTERS
>>> Reader on info from Coral Gables web page story
At the last budget go-around I, together with a couple of others; were able to generate over a thousand emails and close to 250 people at a tax rally hearing in front of City Hall that you did not cover nor mentioned in your Watchdog Report. It is woefully misleading to state that, yes, CG has the tenth lowest millage rate in the county but; no, Coral Gables taxpayers pay rather substantial amounts of taxes due to high assessments that are not as warranted as in the past for a number of reasons.
Simply put, if you average what each household in Gables pays in RE taxes, Fire Taxes, Garbage Fees you will then position Coral Gables at the top of the list of per-dollar tax. When you have a lower assessed home paying a higher millage that tax may be $500 to a corresponding municipality whereas CG gets an average in the thousands, a much higher multiple. We sincerely hope you publish this letter in your next report and that you cover CG now more informed than before. Thank You on Behalf of highly taxed CG taxpayers
Gonzalo Sanabria
Coral Gables
>>> Thanks for the press on Ben’s victory. And congrats on a decade of excellence.
Susan Dmitrovsky
Benedict P. Kuehne, P.A.
>>> Publisher’s Statement on the mission of the Watchdog Report and the special people and organizations that make it possible: Government Subscribers/Corporate Subscribers/Sustaining Sponsors/Supporting Sponsors
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The Watchdog Report covers a few of the meetings attended weekly. It remains my belief that an informed public will make better decisions. Therefore, I go to meetings, make the presence of an informed citizen known, and bring the information to you. The Watchdog Report is in the fourth year of publication and it has been an honor to be able to send this information to you. It is sent to readers in Miami-Dade, Florida, the U.S. and the world. The Watchdog Report is sent to thousands free and while readers have been prodded to subscribe the results have been mixed. Over 250 reports and Extra’s have been sent since May 5, 2000 and over one million words have been written on our community’s governments and events. The report is an original work based on information gathered at public meetings, interviews and from documents in the public domain.
LETTER POLICY
I welcome letters via e-mail, fax, or snail mail. Letters may be edited for length or clarity and must refer to material published in the Watchdog Report. Please see address and contact information. Please send any additions and corrections by e-mail, fax or snail mail. All corrections will be published in the next Watchdog Report. If you or your organization would like to publish the contents of this newsletter, please contact me. Please send your request to watchdogreport1@earthlink.net
Daniel A. Ricker
Publisher & Editor
Watchdog Report
Est. 05.05.00
Copyright © of original material, 2009, Daniel A. Ricker
>>> Watchdog Report is expanding as a new service and this content is now available to other news media, no longer exclusive to The Miami Herald
The Watchdog Report is no longer exclusively with The Miami Herald, and excluding the one story a week that is printed in the paper on Monday in the Metro & State section by me. The rest of the 20 or so news stories weekly sent out Sunday in the Watchdog Report are now available to television stations web pages, and all the newspapers and other media in South Florida if the publishers have an interest to run part or all of the stories. Further, in 2000, I used to have some paper’s running the report in the Spanish press, that option is available again, and publishers should contact me. The news content will not be free, but you can pick and chose the stories of interest, edit them if necessary but you must still keep the general story intact. If you are a news outlet and would like to learn more about, the Watchdog Report and this offer contact me at watchdogreport1@earthlink.net for further information.
>>> Here is what past newspapers have written about the Watchdog Report publisher including a survey and regional study done by the U. North Carolina at Chapel Hill on the media in the southeast United States.
>>> The Miami Herald and Orlando Sentinel & Sun-Sentinel articles on the Watchdog Report publisher over the years.
Published on September 9, 1999, Page 1EA, Miami Herald, The (FL)
CITIZEN ADVOCATE’ KEEPS TABS ON POLITICIANS
Published on January 3, 2000, Page 1B, Miami Herald, The (FL)
MIAMI-DADE WATCHDOG WILL BE MISSED
Published on January 20, 2003, Page 1E, Orlando Sentinel,
PAPERWORK TIGER, Miami’s citizen watchdog piles up government files in his quest to keep the “little people” informed.
>>>Watchdog Report publisher named ‘Best Citizen’ 2003 by the Miami New Times —The publisher would like to thank the weekly alternative paper Miami New Times for bestowing their 2003 Best of Miami, ‘Best Citizen’ award to me and I am honored. Thank you. To read the full story go to http://www.miaminewtimes.com/issues/2003-05-15/citylife2.html/1/index.html
From the spring of 2003: U. North Carolina, Chapel Hill: Southeast U.S. Media Report lists Watchdog Report publisher as leading Florida commentator >>> Selected excerpts from the report on Florida’s media sources
Those who do read the newspaper in Florida have a bevy of options for state government and political coverage. The dominant newspapers in the state are Knight-Ridder’s The Miami Herald (Acquired by The McClatchy Company in 2006) and the Poynter Institute’s St. Petersburg Times. Both papers endorsed Gore in 2000 but split on the 2002 gubernatorial race, with the Herald endorsing Republican incumbent Jeb Bush and the Times backing Democratic challenger Bill McBride.
Daniel Ricker of The Miami Herald also writes an influential column as well as an email newsletter called the Watchdog Report that goes out to more than 100,000 subscribers. FEBRUARY 2004 – Florida: Columnists in Abundance —ERIC GAUTSCHI, graduate student, School of Journalism & Mass Communication, UNC-Chapel Hill – D) LEADING COMMENTATORS – Resource Commentator Organization Type Web site –Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times Column www.sptimes.com/columns/bousquet.shtml -“First Friday” WPBT TV (Miami) TV Show www.channel2.org/firstfriday/issues.html –Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times Column www.sptimes.com/columns/morgan.shtml –Daniel Ricker Miami Herald/Watchdog Report Newsletter –www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/columnists/dan_ricker/ >>> Readers who would like to read the complete University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Southeast United States Media Report go to view the complete report or download all the data used in this study. >>> Watchdog Report Editor’s note to the NCU/CH study: The subscriber number referenced is incorrect and applies to readership. The Southern Media Landscape (PDF) Daniel Ricker. Miami Herald/Watchdog Report Newsletter. www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald … circulation, 134,269. Dan Hoover leads the. publication’s ..www.unc.edu/~davismt/SouthNow.pdf – 574k – View as html
General subscriber’s names will not be published in the Report. To subscribe to the Watchdog Report please use the form below as a subscription invoice.
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