Watchdog Report Vol.13 No.31 December 23, 2012 Est.05.05.00 – I go when you cannot – Best of the WDR 2012

>>> The Watchdog Report publisher would like to thank the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation www.knightfoundation.org for funding by the Knight Foundation with technical support from the Knight Center for International Media http://knight.miami.edu within the University of Miami’s School of Communication www.miami.edu to maintain my webpage. The Watchdog Report webpage is free, has no ads, pops-up and is just the news in a mainstream reporting manner.

>>> Red Alert: If you think it is important to have an alternative mainstream news service, I hope you will consider becoming a financial supporter for I do have to live and pay my rent. I also want to thank again all those people and organizations that have supported me and I have been honored by that trust and support of my efforts over the past almost 14 years.

>>> This week’s Watchdog Report is a mixture of past reports during the year and current news stories and when you consider all the scandals in both Miami-Dade and Broward, especially when it comes to the local municipalities in the past year. Some success has been chalked up on the removing of wayward public officials and public servants but more needs to be done to ferret out waste, fraud, abuse, and public corruption. And this is why I have continued the Watchdog Report over the past almost 14-years.

>>> I want to wish you and your family Happy Holidays, a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a great New Year, and may you all have great health and a robust and successful 2013. >>> Further, check out www.wpbt.org/issues this Friday Dec. 28 at 7:30 p.m. and on Dec. 30^th Sunday at 12:30 p.m., where the WDR publisher is a panelist with Marc Caputo, Tim Elfrink and Michael Mayo and Helen Ferre on Channel 2 hosts the show Issues, where we discuss last year’s top news stories.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> PAST MARCH WDR:  FBI Dir. Mueller asks business community to rise up and help fight fraud and public corruption across S. FL

Robert S. Mueller III, the Director of the FBI since September 4, 2001 when he was appointed to the post by President George W. Bush a week before 9/11 took a road trip to Miami Wednesday and asked the local business community to rise up in arms and help federal authorities tamp down the rampant fraud and abuse of public taxpayer dollars that has Florida ranking number one or two around the nation when it comes to fraud. Mueller, a veteran Vietnam Marine officer with a host of medals including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, went to Princeton, before going to Southeast Asia, later got a Masters from New York University and his law degree is from the University of Virginia. He has served in a number of federal positions under a number of different president’s administrations and prior to being tapped for this top FBI post. He was the U.S. Attorney in San Francisco.

Mueller, attending the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Jungle Island joked at first he was “intrigued” by the location that featured animals that were predators. He said half jokingly that when he testifies in front of Congress he is in a similar environment and “predators are not just here,” but the man then shifted his talk to the War on Terrorism and the “economic predators” in our nation’s midst. He said some “of the most prominent frauds” the FBI is investigating have been spawned in South Florida, which had the first FBI Healthcare Task Force detail established in the nation in 2002-2003. And since Medicare represents 18 percent of America’s budget going to healthcare, these frauds cost “tens of billions of dollars a year,” he said. The man cited a case of healthcare fraud that involved a company called American Therapeutic Corp where they “preyed on people with mental disorders” and a host of people getting “Kickbacks” helped perpetuate the fraudulent acts. He said one person got 50-years and another person is “serving 35 years in prison.”

Mueller said the FBI is beefing up the fraud and intelligence staff involved with healthcare, mortgage, identity theft, or cyber-terrorism and in the case of Medicare fraud. “All of us are victims and the money is to be used to care for the sick, not line someone’s pocket,” he said. He also noted there were 2,600 active mortgage fraud cases each over $1 million, where buyers lied about their income, or the “appraiser inflated the homes price.” He also said people running “rescue services for people in mortgage default or underwater with their properties” are being scammed as well and “charged thousands of dollars in fees” and it is a “false hope” and the federal bureau “recognizes the impact [vacant homes] have on a family and community.” And when it came to SEC fraud and “self dealing insider trading,” they are committed too root it out and he cited the fact Raj Rajaratnam the CEO of the Galleon Group is now serving 11 years for $17 million in insider trading and the sentence is “the longest time in SEC history,” said the long serving director.

The Director set to retire in Sept. 2011 was asked by President Barack Obama in May 2011 to stay on for another two-years and the U.S. Senate approved that request on July 2011 since the office has a mandatory ten-year retirement clause that in this case was overridden. He said here in South Flroida we had are own poster child of fraud in the Scott Rothstein’s $1.6 billion Ponzi scheme with the former Broward attorney now serving 50-years in the federal Big House. The case had Rothstein and a host of associates “forging federal judge’s signatures” and it is these types of cases that had the FBI adding “250 forensic accountants,” that he likened to “SWAT teams of accountants” with their calculators and computers “but without the body armor,” he said. The attorney also said the FBI has “special agents imbedded within the SEC that helps the organization “identify fraud early on” before these scams “bilk investors of their lifetime savings.” He carped in the movies like The Sting, with Paul Newman and Robert Redford. The con artists are portrayed as good guys and charming. However, “in real life these people are not so charming” and when people are “putting trust in others like buying a home and healthcare” and then they are scammed it impacts “are whole way of life since it [the American economy] is built on trust.” And when we find these “Big cons” we all lose and why he said to the business community “your help is so vital” and that includes “protecting yourself and your company because it really is a jungle out there,” he closed before taking a variety of questions from the 350 people or so attending the affair.

>>> FBI website bio: Robert S. Mueller, III Director September 4, 2001- Present Robert Mueller was nominated by President George W. Bush and became the sixth Director of the FBI on September 4, 2001. Born in New York City, Mr. Mueller grew up outside of Philadelphia. He graduated from Princeton University in 1966 and later earned a master’s degree in International Relations at New York University. After college, he joined the United States Marine Corps, where he served as an officer for three years, leading a rifle platoon of the Third Marine Division in Vietnam. He is the recipient of the Bronze Star, two Navy Commendation Medals, the Purple Heart, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Following his military service, Mr. Mueller earned a law degree from the University of Virginia Law School in 1973 and served on the Law Review. After completing his education, Mr. Mueller worked as a litigator in San Francisco until 1976. He then served for 12 years in United States Attorney’s Offices, first in the Northern District of California in San Francisco, where he rose to be chief of its criminal division. In 1982, he moved to Boston as an Assistant United States Attorney, where he investigated and prosecuted major financial fraud, terrorist, and public corruption cases, as well as narcotics conspiracies and international money launderers.

After serving as a partner at the Boston law firm of Hill and Barlow, Mr. Mueller returned to public service. In 1989 he served in the United States Department of Justice as an assistant to Attorney General Richard L. Thornburgh. The following year he took charge of its Criminal Division. In 1991, he was elected Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. In 1993, Mr. Mueller became a partner at Boston’s Hale and Dorr, specializing in complex white collar crime litigation. He again returned to public service in 1995 as senior litigator in the Homicide Section of the District of Columbia United States Attorney’s Office. In 1998, Mr. Mueller was named United States Attorney in San Francisco and held that position until 2001. Mr. Mueller and his wife, Ann, have two daughters.  http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/history/directors Mueller below

>>> What about Special Interest Aliens (SIA), known terrorists using drug lanes to get into America?

John V. Gillies, the FBI Special-Agent-In-Charge of the U.S. Southern District of Florida for the Bureau in South Florida, who arrived in South Florida the fall of 2009, gave the Watchdog Report an exclusive interview Wednesday on the issue of SIAs. These people and the countries they come from are known terrorists committed to doing harm in anyway they can to the United States of America and its friends and allies. Gillies with over 450 other special agents under his charge alone with support staff has a huge area to cover that includes Mexico, Caribbean, and Central and South America as well as South Florida from Fort Pierce to Key West.

The veteran agent when I asked him about terrorists using the drug trafficking lanes to get into the nation or to bring in material for bombs or deadly Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). He said it was a real problem and when it comes to these drug lords. It’s all about the money and if the terrorists will pay up, nothing is a logistical problem for the drug cartels. “Certainly the potential exists for those routes being used by the drug trafficors could be used for other nefarious means, i.e., bringing in terrorists and the drug dealers will do anything for a dollar, they don’t care,” said the federal agent.

When I asked about the large territory his office is in charge of, he said, “it was a huge area we have to cover and we are very busy dealing with kidnapping and murder of U.S. citizens because of the drug trade.” He said that also includes being in the top tier for healthcare fraud in the nation and we are in the “top two in mortgage and security fraud.” He said about the volume of cases and prosecutions being handled in this office, one of 56 FBI Field offices. The veteran FBI agent at the end concluded by saying, “If this was a business venture today, unfortunately, business is very good for us,” he closed.

>>> PAST APRIL WDR: >>> Dolphins Pro Bowl player Anderson kicks off 4^th M-DC Park Summitt, but tens of thousands of other volunteers are the unspoken heroes in S. FL

Dick Anderson, 66, the Miami Dolphins all pro defensive back on the team’s perfect season is one of the tens of thousands of volunteers in Miami-Dade County that make a cross section of our parks, cultural facilities, schools and a host of other activities possible in many ways, and saving taxpayers tens of millions of public dollars in the process. Anderson spoke Tuesday to Miami-Dade Commissioners as the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade vice president created in 2004 and the money and volunteers role these people play saves the county millions of dollars while also providing high programs for the kids of all ages and the community as a whole http://www.parksfoundationofmiami-dade.com/index.html or to become a county parks volunteer go to www.miamidade.gov/parks and click on volunteer opportunities or call 305.961.2781 .

The role of volunteers is going to be looked at in this issue of the Watchdog Report and these people give their time and sweat equity ranging from coaching peewee football, or being a referee, to guiding ticket holders to their seat at the Adrianne Arsht Center and it actually might be Adrianne Arsht herself taking you to your seat. The Watchdog Report thought about volunteers when I attended the fourth Annual Miami-Dade Parks Summitt held at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens on Thursday and volunteers are everywhere at the garden, that had a woman teaching some young children how past pioneers lived on a field trip to what I call Miami’s Camp David, given some of the political meetings that had been held in the serene setting over the years.

What about Arsht & Vizcaya volunteers?

John Richards the CEO of the Arsht Center told county budget officials a few weeks ago the organization has a core of about 330 volunteers that has 35 of them assigned “for each House’s performances,” he said. He noted these volunteers provided 31,000 hours of their time in the course of a year and that translates to “$660,000 in voluntary support from these people.” However, Richards said they could use some more people and “would love to see the number of volunteers double.” Since the Arsht Center opened, after a somewhat rocky start, two new CEOs have turned it around and Richards has done a remarkable job that had 500,000 people attending events last year including 75,000 of the community’s kids going to Rock Odyssey over the last three years. http://www.arshtcenter.org/

In the case of the Historic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, the role of volunteers is also critical with these people helping to the tune of 14,000 volunteer hours a year valued at $260,000. Since they provide help with operations and the visitors experience through daily guided tours, program support and maintenance of the art collection and gardens. Vizcaya, a community treasure, sits on a 50-acre site, includes 15-historic buildings and with 100 years in deferred maintenance, needs all the volunteers and outside help, it can get. For more go to: http://www.vizcayamuseum.org/

What about Public and Private school volunteers?

From the public schools PTA to a host of other organizations volunteers, these thousands of people are the backbone of enhancing education and range from City Year members in the schools helping teachers in struggling schools teach the community’s younger charges to helping on a sports team and possible being a driver or some other volunteer to a school event. www.dadeschools.net

What about Jackson Health & Baptist Health volunteers?

Jackson Health System also has a large number of people that work as volunteers or are donors to the Public Health Trust. And Baptist Health South Florida to name another organization has a host of volunteers who serve on oversight boards of the not-for-profit.  And these people all make the community a better place in their own quite way with little fanfare and that is the way for many of them how they like to participate. For further information how to become a volunteer go to: Jackson Memorial Foundation & www.baptisthealth.net

>>> Press release: The House passed legislation aimed at preventing the use of Social Security Account numbers on Medicare cards as part of the continuing fight against Medicare fraud. The “Medicare Identity Theft Prevention Act” (H.R. 1509) will be a valuable tool in helping reduce Medicare fraud.  Social Security numbers have become the identifier of choice and are used for many everyday business transactions. The risk of ID theft goes far beyond an individual’s card being stolen. Every medical record at nursing homes, hospitals, and doctor offices has a Social Security number written on it. The wholesale amount of Social Security numbers that are available to identity thieves is staggering and completely unnecessary. This bill reinforces a key point in Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen’s legislation, H.R. 3735, the “Medicare Fraud Enforcement & Prevention Act” which was introduced earlier in this session of Congress. That bill would create a new criminal offense punishable with a 10 year minimum sentence for those who knowingly sell or distribute the ID numbers of Medicare beneficiaries.

Said Ros-Lehtinen, “I am pleased that the House approved this bill with strong support from both parties. South Florida has been the epicenter of Medicare fraud over the years and its way past time Congress ramp up its efforts in combating this waste and abuse.  Medicare corruption in South Florida alone costs taxpayers between $3 and $4 billion every year. This bill is an important first step in trying to cut fraud and help eliminate these huge costs associated with it.”

>>> Give Miami Day raises $1.2 million for 300 not for profits, Miami Foundation & Knight Foundation’s  $200,000 in funding matches critical to its success

Give Miami Day, sponsored by The Miami Foundation on Dec. 12, the first event of its kind the foundation has held for not for profit organizations and the drive raised $1.2 million in contributions for 300 organizations with webpages over a 24-hour period. People from 45 states donated during the mini fundraising campaign and donors also included people overseas from eight countries. The challenge campaign included matching funding to the tune of $100,000 each from The Miami Foundation http://miamifoundation.org/ and the John S. & James L. Knight Foundation http://www.knightfoundation.org/ and Miami Foundation Director Javier Soto told the Watchdog Report last week it was a smashing success. After Soto finished eating lunch last week with community icon Ruth Shack, the Foundation’s previous director and former county commissioner. He said the Knight Foundation’s participation was a critical ingredient and Shack chimed in that when to comes to any cultural events in South Florida. Thank God, for the “Knight Foundation” and its extensive programming for the arts and music, culture in general that also includes the extensive promotion of professional journalism around the nation and world.

>>> Miami Herald education reporter Isensee says sayonara, going to Houston and PBS KUHT as educational maven

Laura Isensee, the education reporter for The Miami Herald www.miamiherald.com has said sayonara to Miami and is heading back to Houston, her hometown. Isensee has covered the Miami-Dade Public Schools District for the past 18 months and before that. She was a reporter on the Hialeah beat. She is going to Public Broadcast Station KUHT television and radio and the station is one of the original PBS stations first established in 1953, and is one of 12 public stations in the Lone Star State http://www.houstonpbs.org/ . Isensee said leaving The Herald was “bitter sweet,” last week but she was excited with the scope of this new opportunity and she would also get to see her family after six years being away from Houston. The Watchdog Report gives her a Tip of the Hat for a job well done, she will be missed and good luck in this new responsibility. The general circulation paper is said to be planning to fill the spot quickly with a veteran reporter, but it takes awhile for any scribe to cover the massive pubic district and to know whom the players are and the issues.

>>> 31^st King Mango Strut Dec. 30 gearing up to go, Grand Marshall is Eastwood prop chair

The 31^st King Mango Strut will kick off at 2:00 p.m. on Dec. 30, 2012 on Commodore Plaza in Coconut Grove and the Grand Marshall this year is the Clint Eastwood prop chair he used at the Republican National Convention in Tampa over the summer. The Strut has gained a strong cult following over the years, the Grove is packed with parade goers that carries over into the rest of the afternoon, and a good time is had by all. To become involved, go to www.kingmangostrut.org and check out Buzz Fleischman’s blog for the Strut chair photo: http://www.theradiobuzz.com/

>>> Owners of Two Miami Home Health Companies Plead Guilty in $48 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme

The owners and operators of two Miami health care agencies pleaded guilty today for their participation in a $48 million home health Medicare fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida; Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Michael B. Steinbach, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Miami Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dennis of the HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Office of Investigations Miami Office. Rogelio Rodriguez, 43, and Raymond Aday, 48, each pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Federico A. Moreno in the Southern District of Florida to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. According to court documents, Rodriguez was the owner of both Caring Nurse Home Health Corp. and Good Quality Home Health Inc., and Aday was a manager at Caring Nurse and owner of Good Quality.

According to plea documents, Rodriguez and Aday conspired with patient recruiters for the purpose of billing the Medicare program for unnecessary home health care and therapy services.  Rodriguez, Aday and their alleged co-conspirators paid kickbacks and bribes to patient recruiters in return for these recruiters providing patients to Caring Nurse and Good Quality, as well as prescriptions, plans of care (POCs) and certifications for medically unnecessary therapy and home health services for Medicare beneficiaries… Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged more than 1,480 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $4.8 billion. In addition, HHS’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, is taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers. To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to: www.stopmedicarefraud.gov. 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.

>>> All photos in the Watchdog Report are taken from public government sites, and the Report goes on line at www.watchdogreport.net on Monday sometime during the day usually. >>> If you believe it is important to have someone watching your public institutions consider supporting the Watchdog Report for I am a low cost news service, yet I do have to live, thank you! Further, I have been honored over the years by being named a WFOR-4 Hometown Hero in 2000, being profiled in a major way by The Miami New Times and was Best Citizen in the 2003 Best of Miami of The Miami New Times, profiled twice in The Miami Herald, and the Orlando Sentinel ran a nationwide story on me in the Tribune papers on Jan. 2003, and UNC Chapel Hill named me one of the top columnists in Florida in a  multi-state study of the media back in 2004. I also thank Joseph Cooper for the opportunity to be on the WLRN/NPR showTopical Currents on www.wlrn.org 91.3 FM since 2000, including yearly election coverage since then, and also numerous times over the past decade. Further, I am a frequent guest on WWW.WPBT2.ORG on Helen Ferre’s show Issues, and have also appeared on  Eliott Rodriguez’s show News & Views on www.CBS4.com and The Florida Roundup on www.wlrn.org

FLORIDA

>>> Looming port strike Dec. 29 could cripple $66 billion FL cargo trade and Gov. Scott urges President Obama to invoke Taft-Hartley Act “Injunctive relief”

Gov. Rick Scott in a Dec. 20 3-page letter to President Barack Obama urges the president to invoke the Taft-Hartley Act when it comes to the impending shutdown of the 15 Atlantic and Gulf Ports on Dec. 29 when the contract extension expires. Scott wrote, “At this time it appears likely that a strike or lockout that affects 15 ports will occur” when the contract expires. He noted the industry creates 550,000 in direct and indirect jobs in the state, it represents some $66 billion a year in “economic value” for Florida and he asks Obama to “invoke the Act” that is necessary “to prevent a work stoppage.” In addition, Scott knows that when it comes to international trade and commerce the Sunshine State ranks number four in the nation and why this logjam in container and cargo movement could jeopardize the state’s economic recovery.  The Act created by Congress in 1947 has “injunctive relief” powers and historically has been used by President Richard Nixon and more recently George W. Bush in 2002 where a 10-day national port strike is estimated to have cost $10 billion in lost economic impact and took months to smooth out. The International Longshoreman’s Association has been negotiating all fall with the U.S. Maritime Alliance trying to craft a new contract to keep the ports running throughout the nation but these talks have come to no avail.

Here in South Florida, the Port of Miami creates 176,000 jobs and over $18.6 billion in economic impact and any slow down, since $ 2 billion in expensive infrastructure improvements is going on at the port, but funded with county bonds that need to be repaid and any slowdown in Miami will have a ripple effect throughout the South Florida economy. Further, Port Everglades in Broward County will also suffer the consequences as well and in that port’s case. The maritime facility generates $15. 3 billion in economic impact and business and the industry accounts for 11,400 in direct jobs and 160,000 jobs statewide. http://www.miamidade.gov/portmiami/directors-message.asp >>> http://www.porteverglades.net/about-us/statistics/

>>> Miami-Dade delegation hears the wails of organizations for state funding; Rep. Gonzalez chairs delegation, had negative net worth of $18,326 through Dec. 11.

Around 80 people representing organizations around South Florida and the state spoke in front of the Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation Wednesday and Thursday and the wails of funding requests for a host of services, from mental health, teachers, hospitals and the all-important Medicaid program that accounts for about $21 billion of the state’s $69.9 billion state budget were heard. The next state budget is expected to have about $200 to $400 million extra in tax dollars from the proceeding year, but other elected officials believe the new state budget that kicks in July 1 will be “flat.” The Watchdog Report next week will report what these valuable organizations have been doing and what funding or policy changes they wished for from their local legislators.

And the local delegation is chaired by state Rep. Eddy Gonzalez, R-Hialeah and the vice chair is state Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, R-Miami and both men won these posts in contested elections by the local legislators in November. Gonzalez beat out state Sen. Oscar Braynon II, D-Miami by a 13 to 10 vote and Diaz fended off state Rep. Cynthia Stafford, D-Miami after a 17 to 6 vote. Gonzalez cut his political chops as a Hialeah council member from 1999 to 2003 and he entered the House in 2006 and has been reelected every two years since then. He was born in Cuba and came to America in 1971, is married with a family and he works for Humana/CAC Florida Medical Center and is a Miami-Dade College graduate.

What do we know about his finances?

Gonzalez through Dec. 2011 had a negative net worth of $18,326 and he lists $50,000 in household goods. His home in Hialeah is worth $290,000 and a rental is valued at $85,000, a motor home is worth $75,000, an auto is listed at $34,000 and there is $1,736 in a bank account. The legislator’s liabilities are $185,201 for a mortgage; a line of credit is owed $82,600 and two banks want $201,000 and $62,473. And his income for the year was $29,319 from the state and Humana/CAC Florida Medical Center kicked in $68,442.

Gonzalez – For more on the delegation vote go to http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2012/11/in-split-vote-miami-dade-delegation-picks-chairman.html

>>> Children’s Movement of Florida  Voices of Florida – We all have a story, a story that defines us. It is our collective story, our challenges and our triumphs that inspire a movement. Floridians from all walks of life have joined together with an understanding that the future of our state rests on the well-being of our children. Visit The Children’s Movement website to read their stories and share your own. >>> I find it unacceptable, as all of us should, that at least a half-million children in Florida – all citizens — have no health insurance. How could this be in our beloved country that seeks to be a beacon to the world? Health insurance for all children is one of the five major planks of The Children’s Movement. With the support of Florida Covering Kids and Families, The Children’s Movement is working with dozens of local partners to help build a meaningful signing-up initiative in more than a dozen Florida communities. Already we have: Completed 18 KidCare trainings around the state. Signed up, trained and deployed more than a hundred volunteers. Begun to build a growing collaboration between local school districts and KidCare outreach coalitions. It’s a good start, but only the start. If you’d like to become a volunteer, just click here. Another way to help is to make a contribution – of any size – to help support this work. It is easy. Just click here. A real movement isn’t possible without your helping in some meaningful way. Dave Lawrence, Chair The Children’s Movement.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> Barreto makes pitch to BCC for 50^th Super Bowl in 2016, believes Miami can hold two massive parties at a time, tourist officials say otherwise

Rodney Barreto, the point of the spear for Super Bowl applications for well over the past decade made his pitch for the 2016 game to Miami-Dade Commissioners on Tuesday after a major press conference was held earlier in the morning. Barreto has run into resistance for the 50^th anniversary game because it conflicts with the Miami Beach Boat Show on Presidents Weekend and there is concern that there are not enough luxury beds in the county for two such large multi day parties. However, Barreto fended off that argument saying we are big enough o hold two such signature events that includes a host committee made up of legendary Miami Dolphins Coach Don Shula, and veteran quarterbacks Bob Griese, Dan Marino and defensiveman Jason Taylor. Mike Dee of the Dolphins told commissioners the team and committee thinks all Super Bowls should be held here, since ten is the current milestone and Miami has held one in four of the pinnacle football events over the years since 1966. The men told the commissioners that Miami is competing with San Francisco and they “are a formidable opponent,” though they noted Miami is “very well organized,” as well.

Tourist mavens say the two events would be just too much since the NFL wants to consolidate the locations where people stay and activities would be held and would also potentially cut out Broward County from the event that in the past was part of where the two teams held parties and luncheons.  However, county commissioners were bullish on getting the signature sports event again (And has the Dolphins asking for public dollars to put on a retractable roof that the Sun Light Stadium was designed for initially). Commissioners Jose “Pepe” Diaz, Dennis Moss and Barbara Jordan along with the other commissioners all wanted to scarf up the event and Moss said to ensure the required results. They needed to “Think out of the box” and to “think big” if they were to be successful in the bid.

Mayor Carlos Gimenez is also on board. He told commissioners he attended the earlier event that also included Miami Commission Chair Francis Suarez in support that the 50^th Super Bowl. He said it will be the “most memorable” one since the “1972 [Super Bowl 7 and the perfect season] brought the community together.” He said, Moss was “right and we have some heavy lifting to do,” to secure the bid since “San Francisco is tough.” However, the mayor noted, “We are bigger and know how to host two parties at a time.” And Gimenez gave a shout out to Dee for his community service and a bike ride charity he started three years ago benefiting Sylvester Cancer Center at the University of Miami where $2.2 million was raised recently. For more go to http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/18/3147788/pressure-on-for-a-super-bowl-boat.html

>>> Ethics commission ruling press release: The Ethics Commission opined that Miami-Dade County Commissioner Esteban Bovo may serve as a consultant to Dade Medical College — a private, for profit institution that trains students as medical technicians — as long as he limits his involvement.  According to the response to his Request for Opinion (RQO 12-13), Commissioner Bovo may advise the College’s lobbyists on state and federal matters, but should not personally lobby any level of government and must avoid any interaction related to county government or the Public Health Trust.  Among the restrictions cited in the Opinion, Bovo is warned not to appear before any public board on behalf of the college in Miami-Dade County or vote on any matter related to it that comes before the County Commission.

>>> Press release: UM Professor Copeland named Ethics Commission Chair

The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust (COE) today elected Charlton Copeland as its chair for the next two years.   The University of Miami Law School professor was first appointed to the Ethics Commission two and a half years ago and most recently served as Vice-Chair.  Professor Copeland earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Amherst College, a Master of Arts in Religion from Yale Divinity School and a Juris Doctorate from Yale Law School.   He succeeds Dawn Addy, who has led the five-person volunteer board for two years.  Addy, the director of the Center for Labor Research & Studies at Florida International University, was presented with an engraved clock in appreciation of her service.

>>> Miami-Dade County’s unemployment rate drops to 8 percent in November

Beacon Council Press release: Miami-Dade County’s unemployment rate fell to 8 percent in November, down from 8.9 percent in October, according to statistics released Friday. “The labor force is stabilizing.  We’re adding more jobs resulting in a lower unemployment rate,” said Frank R. Nero, President and CEO of The Beacon Council. “There is net new job growth.”

The numbers analyzed — During the last year, from November 2011 to November 2012, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell 1.5 percentage points, from 9.5 percent to 8.0 percent. Miami-Dade County also gained 1,600 new nonagricultural payroll jobs between November 2011 and November 2012, which is an increase of 0.2 percent. In addition, between October 2012 and November 2012, the County gained 5,900 nonagricultural payroll jobs. The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate from October 2012 to November 2012 decreased by 0.9 percentage points, from 8.9 percent to 8.0 percent. This lower rate can be attributed to a combination of an increase in the total number of people employed as well as a decrease in the labor force and number of unemployed people.

In November 2012, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Miami-Dade County (taking into consideration seasonal fluctuations in the labor force) was 8.4 percent, which is 0.3 percentage points lower than October 2012. Miami-Dade County is the only Florida County to use the seasonally adjusted rate. With regards to the seasonally adjusted numbers, the labor force remained almost the same, but there was a decrease in the number of people unemployed and an increase in the number of people employed, which is a positive trend.

The job creation numbers are derived from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Employment Statistics Program (CES), and only account for non-farm payroll jobs. However, the unemployment rates are derived from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics Program (LAUS), which includes farm payroll jobs as well as self-employed workers.

The November 2012 unemployment rate for the State of Florida was 7.9 percent, a decrease of 0.3 percentage points compared to October 2012. The United States unemployment rate was 7.4 percent in November 2012, compared to 7.5 percent in October 2012. For Broward County, the unemployment rate in November 2012 was 7.0 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points from October 2012 and a decrease of 1.8 percentage points compared to November 2011. For Palm Beach County, the unemployment rate was 8.3 percent, a decrease of 0.3 percentage points compared to October 2012 and a decrease of 1.9 percentage points compared to November 2011. The overall unemployment rate for the South Florida region (Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Pompano Beach MSA) area in November 2012 was 7.7 percent, down from 8.3 percent in October 2012. A year ago, in November 2011, the South Florida unemployment rate was 9.4 percent. In Miami-Dade County from November 2011 to November 2012, several sectors saw improvements including Professional and Business Services, Retail Trade, Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities, Financial Activities, and State Government.

Sectors that lost jobs between November 2011 and November 2012 include Local Government (-3,900 jobs), Leisure and Hospitality (-2,300 jobs), Construction (-2,100 jobs), Hospital (-1,800 jobs), Wholesale Trade (-1,800 jobs), Ambulatory Health Care Services (-800 jobs), Manufacturing (-800 jobs), and Information (-300 jobs).

Sector	November 2011 – November 2012 Job Change (% Change)
Professional and Business Services	6,500 (+4.8%)
Retail Trade	4,400 (+3.3%)
Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities	2,100 (+3.4%)
Financial Activities	1,200 (+1.9%)
State Government	400 (+2.2%)

Between October 2012 and November 2012, 5,900 nonagricultural payroll jobs were gained or a 0.6 percent increase. Notably, Financial Activities continued to experience job growth during this period. November 2012 marks the second consecutive month that the Financial Activities sector has experienced an increase in employment. Sectors that lost jobs between October 2012 and November 2012 include: Construction (600 jobs lost or a 2.1 percent decline), Ambulatory Health Care Services (500 jobs lost or a 0.9 percent decline, Wholesale Trade (400 jobs lost or a 0.6 percent decline), Federal Government (200 jobs lost or a 1.0 percent decline), and Information (100 jobs lost or a 0.6 percent decline).

Sector	October 2012 – November 2012 Job Change (% Change)
Retail Trade	4,200 (+3.1%)
Professional and Business Services	1,700 (+1.2%)
Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities	1,000 (+1.6%)
Financial Activities	300 (+0.5%)
Leisure and Hospitality	300 (+0.3%)
State Government	300 (+1.7%)
Local Government	200 (+0.2%)

From the data and analysis above, we see continued improvement in the local economy. Nevertheless, the community needs to remain focused on job-creation projects in the target industries outlined in The Beacon Council Foundation’s One Community One Goal (OCOG) initiative. These industries have been identified as the Miami-Dade County industries most able to create additional well-paying job opportunities, leading to an improved quality of life for Miami-Dade County residents. For more information, go to www.onecommunityonegoal.com. The Beacon Council continues to aggressively work on attracting new companies to our community and work on the expansion and retention of existing business. For more information, visit www.beaconcouncil.com.

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOL

>>> PAST MAY WDR: Variety of risks at nation’s 4^th largest public district with $8 billion in property, “not for the feint of heart,” says CFO Hines

With Hurricane Season beginning Jun.1 the issue of the nation’s fourth largest public schools risk and hurricane damage exposure was the talk of a recent school board Audit & Budget Advisory Committee. And when it comes to issues like these at Miami-Dade Public Schools, “It is not for the feint of heart,” said Richard Hines, Ph.D., the district CFO. He said the district has about $8 billion in property, there is about $200 million in insurance coverage, that also includes a $100 million deductible, and while Hurricane Andrew in 1992 caused $96 million in damage that would be $800 million in 2012 dollars, he said. Further, a second hurricane of such magnitude said Hines would cost the district hundreds of millions more he said when you are dealing with a public schools system this size with hundreds of schools.

What about the self-insured health program for the District’s 60,000 lives?

The public schools district is the county’s largest employeer, its self-insured health insurance program comes in to the tune of almost $360 million on an onward basis, and that is the largest single cost next to salaries the district pays. Alberto Carvalho the district superintendent told the Audit and Budget Advisory Committee when the issue of the health insurance program was being discussed that it is why they are pushing for “more engagement” in the contribution of funds by employees. Because in the past there have been “no incentives” for people to try to lower there risks, like not smoking, and enrolling “in a smoking cessation program,” he said. Carvalho noted, “South Florida has the highest healthcare costs in the nation because of fraud and abuse,” and because the district is “the largest employeer and user of hospitals. The cost of indigent care is shifted over to us,” he said. He also noted “80 percent [of the 60,000 patient lives in the program] enjoy a free option” and the district’s healthcare is “one of the richest plans out there,” and few other health plans offer that “free option,” he said.

Because of these escalating healthcare costs the school district is working to pen a deal with the University of Miami Miller Medical School for a “District Clinic,” said Carvalho and it is based on the “concept that many people don’t have a medical home” that keeps healthcare costs down through preventative care and school employees will have access to “wellness services,” said the top administrator. He noted all of this was necessary cost savings were necessary because over $2 billion had been shaved from the district budget since 2008 when he took over in September back then. And there was only $4 million in district reserves and the decision to “self insure was done out of necessity,” and he noted there was now $40 million in the “healthcare reserve fund,” he closed.

>>> Braman Auto Mechanic School graduates first class; top-flight program creates skilled car mechanics

The first class of students graduating from the Braman Auto Mechanics School got their diplomas last week and both Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and Norman Braman attended the send off of the new graduates. Braman had carped years ago that the public schools district, the fourth largest in the nation was not preparing young adults with the right skills for the job market. And the auto magnate put his money in collaboration with the schools district to create a program that is also supplying him with top-notch trained auto mechanics and other specialties. The “Braman Automotive Training Center is a state-of-the-art training program for Miami-Dade County Public Schools graduates. Students are employed by local companies when they complete their training,” state’s a press release on the event.

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> PAST JUNE WDR: Turn around of JHS will depend on execution of future plans, can’t be the same old story of falling short

The Watchdog Report had a case of Déjà vu on Friday when I attended the Financial Recovery’s Board (FRB) public retreat at a local Marriott facility and I realized I have been attending these meetings since 1998. And the subjects and recommendations in many ways have not changed much over those years and it is the executions of these future plans that are key to turning around the struggling health trust. The Jackson Health System is embarking on a new course to dramatically expand the role of community physicians in admitting patients into the health system, that currently has over 90 percent of the patients coming from the University of Miami Miller Medical School physicians admissions, but this was also attempted by former CEO Marvin O’Quinn years ago and that initiative was greeted with mixed success.

The JHS administration and staff is almost completely new from 18 months ago and as FRB Chair Marcos Lapciuc said the organization was facing a number of incoming torpedoes including whether the Affordable Care Act is ruled constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court and reduced Medicare funding, to lack of capital for new infrastructure, to a fiscally strapped world where “the clock is ticking faster than any of us would like” and the “party is about to stop and the bill will be handed to whoever gets elected in 2012,” he thought. Further, under this overarching fiscal umbrella of concern. The FRB is trying to right itself and just posted for the first time in years having three straight months through May of being in the black and the health trust could close the year. Either breaking even or no more than a $10 million loss after years in the hundreds of millions of losses while giving over $1.1 billion in charity and bad debt care in the course of a year.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> MSEA waves off new agreement that settles Chalk’s lawsuit, Commissioner Sarnoff wants to see FAA approval letter before approving settlement

A new deal to settle a lawsuit with the city of Miami and Chalks Airline that involves negotiating with a new plane operator in the future for the Watson Island site was deferred Tuesday by the Miami Sports & Exhibition Authority after Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff wanted to see the FAA authorization letter to have such a facility operate (A reliable source said the new organization has the FAA approval letter and it also included the submitted financial reports to the federal agency). The item has been percolating over the past years but the lawsuit by the Chalks owner whose operation suffered a horrific tragedy when one of its Mallard flying boats in Dec. 2005 crashed in Biscayne Bay shortly after take off years ago shut down the operation. Chalk’s then sued Miami in 2007 when the city wanted the property back and Chalk’s asked the local court’s “to interpret the lease,” with the city and “we countered sued” because “They weren’t flying and there were liens with the IRS,” said a city staff attorney at the MESA meeting Mar. 29, 2012. However, this settlement if passed, will then trigger the city to begin negotiations with a group of Latin American investors. And they are planning to use many of the past Chalk managers and ground crew to run the operation allowing them to keep the FAA certification. And this settlement is said to resolve this past litigation with Chalks and owner James Confalone who bought the airline in 1999 and he will no longer be involved in any aspect of the new operation if MESA ultimately seals the assignment to this new investor group when it takes it up again Jan. 8, 2013.

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> PAST APRIL WDR: Passions running high when it comes to Mgr. Gonzalez, residents should make their case by “The strength of their argument, not the stridency of their voice,” said Ghandi

With the Miami Beach Commission meeting looming Wednesday May 9, activists are split on whether they want the head of long serving Beach Manager Jorge Gonzalez or not and incivility concerning this issue is raising its head. Critics charge that Gonzalez in office almost a dozen years, that his administration has been rocked by scandals, “corruption” and most recently the undercover FBI sting that ended in the arrest, indictment and one guilty plea of six Beach code and fire inspectors mostly hired in the 1990s before Gonzalez took the helm, for shaking down a club owner. Gonzalez has fired back by creating a wide variety of new relationships with the FBI, county inspector general’s office, ethics training and a host of other initiatives that the commission will vote on but some question if it is not too late and will change nothing given the city’s culture. Commissioners are also taking heat from some constituents and the upcoming meeting if past meetings are any example will be contentious and the issue will be discussed around 5:00 p.m. The Watchdog Report has been getting emails from both sides of the debate, if Gonzalez should stay or go and Mayor Mattie Herrera Bower has been verbally buffeted and got into a shouting match at a recent rally with an activist demanding the man step down.

In a telephone interview Saturday, Gonzalez said his record over the years of accomplishment is being ignored by some of these people and commissioners and the city in many ways has never been in better shape. He said the issue has become commingled with some activist’s demands and the CWA Union that represents a number of city employees facing “a 17 percent pay cut in concessions” in the fall and for the union’s members this is a significant salary reduction that is being fought. He said the city has around 2,000 employees and the lead code enforcement officer (who was arrested and indicted) was about to get a Commission proclamation, possible the third over the decades from the body, but it shows how the past respected employee fooled the commission and administration.  He said that over the years he has had a history of proactive action when alerted to corruption, like in the building and procurement departments. He notified the state attorney’s office in those cases and helped “root out” these wayward officials and he was not a target of the investigation.

Gonzalez said he hoped commissioners “recognized that he was a very good manager over the past 12-years” and that under his administration there “was a extremely long list of positive actions” and business leaders in the municipality are doing very well with tourism numbers and the attendant different tourist tax revenues that are through the roof. He said this is in “no small part me as the city manager” and while he did not attend an “out pouring of about 100 people, a cross section of the community” that wanted him retained last week. He did note that a recent survey of about 3,000 residents showed that 89 percent of the people sampled rated the city’s services “excellent or good, 8 percent said fair and only 3 percent rated services poor,” he said. Gonzalez further noted the city’s strong AA+ bond rating as another sign he has done a good job. However, the two key people on the commission may be the swing votes of Commissioners Deede Weithorn and Michael Gongora, and how they vote is expected to determine Gonzalez’s fate. Readers should stay tuned and see how this highly charged issue plays out in the coming days.

CITY OF NORTH MIAMI

>>> Former U.S. Marine Sentenced to 57 Months for Identity Theft Tax Refund Fraud Scheme Targeting U.S. Marines

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Michael B. Steinbach, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CID), Miami Field Office, announced that Jobson Cenor, 23, of North Miami, was sentenced today to 57 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, in connection with an identity theft tax refund fraud scheme.  Cenor pled guilty on October 3, 2012 to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. According to documents filed in court, in 2011, Cenor and co-conspirator Dorothy Boulin agreed on a plan to use stolen personal identifying information (names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers) of individuals to file fraudulent tax returns seeking refunds. On July 12, 2012, Dorothy Boulin was sentenced to 70 months imprisonment by U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore. According to documents filed and statements made in court, in late 2011 and early 2012, defendant Cenor provided Boulin with more than a hundred names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers of U.S. Marines, many of whom were serving in Cenor’s unit in Afghanistan. Cenor provided the personal identity information to Boulin by creating draft messages in e-mail accounts with the personal identifying information and then sending Boulin the log-in information for the e-mail accounts… >>> 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.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> Gov. Scott Taps Three to Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission, Nilda Pedrosa of Gables one of them –Press release: Gov. Scott names Daniel E. Nordby, Nilda R. Pedrosa, and Israel U. Reyes to the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission.

Daniel E. Nordby, of Tallahassee, is currently the General Counsel for the Florida House of Representatives.  Previously, he was the General Counsel for the Florida Department of State from 2011 to 2012.   Nordby was an attorney at Ausley McMullen from 2007 to 2011, and Assistant General Counsel for the Florida Department of Education from 2006 to 2007.  He received his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Florida.  Nordby succeeds Kathleen Shanahan and is appointed for a term beginning December 21, 2012, and ending July 1, 2016.

Nilda R. Pedrosa, of Coral Gables, was Assistant Dean for Development and External Affairs at the Florida International University College of Law from 2010 to 2012.  From 2009 to 2010, Pedrosa served as Chief of Staff for Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart.  From 2005 to 2009, she served as Senior Policy Advisor to U.S. Senator Mel Martinez.  From 2002 to 2004, Pedrosa served as the Director for the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs for the U.S. Department of State.  And from 2001 to 2002, she served as the Director of Public Policy and Governmental Relations for the Miami Children’s Hospital.  Pedrosa received her bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and her law degree from New England Law.  She succeeds Martin Garcia and is appointed for a term beginning December 21, 2012, and ending July 1, 2016.

Israel U. Reyes, of Miami, has been a partner at Diaz, Reus & Targ, L.L.P., since 2011.  Reyes previously served as a Dade County Judge from 2002 to 2003 and as a Judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit from 2003 to 2011.  From 1998 to 2002, he was an Assistant State Attorney for the Office of the State Attorney, Eleventh Judicial Circuit.  From 1980 to 1995, Reyes served as a police officer and detective for the Miami-Dade Police Department.  He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and his law degree from Nova Southeastern University.  Reyes succeeds Kathy W. Ezell and is appointed for a term beginning December 21, 2012, and ending July 1, 2016.  He is appointed from the list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar.

>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA

BROWARD COUNTY

>>> Broward County Resident Sentenced for Identity Theft Scheme

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CID), Miami Field Office, and Paula Reid, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service, Miami Field Office, announce yesterday’s sentencing of Altan Melissa Erskine, 41, of Fort Lauderdale, on one count of aggravated identity theft.  U.S. District Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley sentenced Erskine to two years in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release. Erskine previously pled guilty to this charge. According to court documents, on March 6, 2012, Erskine met with a confidential informant (CI), and the two discussed acquiring and negotiating fraudulently obtained tax refund checks.  Erskine told the CI that she had a contact at First Data Merchant (First Data), who could provide the personal identification of unwitting victims for a fee.  First Data is a payment processing company in Broward County, and conducts transactions for merchants, including processing credit, debit and gift cards.

According to court documents, the CI sent a list of randomly selected names to Erskine so that Erskine could obtain their personal identification information.  Subsequently, the CI received a text message from Erskine in which Erskine stated that the cost for a person’s Social Security, date of birth, and driver’s license information would be $150.  Erskine told the CI that co-defendant Shanna Johnson, who worked at First Data, was prepared to provide the personal identification information for the names that the CI had provided.  In fact, Johnson provided Erskine with the personal identification information of 10 individuals.  Subsequently, First Data’s Corporate Security Department identified Johnson as the employee who used the company’s database to research the personal identification information of various individuals.

Johnson pled guilty on May 21, 2012 to Count 2 of an Indictment, which charged that she intentionally exceeded authorized access to a protected computer, to obtain the personal identification information of another person, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1030(a)(2)(C).  She also pled guilty to Count 3, which charged her with aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1), and (c)(4). Johnson was sentenced on August 10, 2012 to a total of 24 months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release. Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CID and the Secret Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Laurie E. Rucoba. 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.

>>> 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

>>> Man Sentenced for Mailing Hoax Threats to State Attorney’s Office

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Michael B. Steinbach, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, Vince Demasi, Chief of Police, West Palm Beach Police Department, and Ric Bradshaw, Sheriff, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO), announced the sentencing of defendant Justin Burton Lane on charges that he mailed hoax threats to then State Attorney Michael McAuliffe in Palm Beach County.  At the sentencing, U.S. District Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley sentenced Lane to 77 months in prison consecutive to the 8 years remaining on the state sentence he was serving when he sent the letter.  The defendant previously pleaded guilty to counts 1 and 2 of the Indictment. According to documents filed with the court, on January 3, 2012, Lane, then a state inmate housed in the Florida State Prison at Raiford, Florida, caused to be delivered by the Postal Service, a letter addressed to then State Attorney Michael F. McAuliffe containing a powdery substance and threats to injure State Attorney McAuliffe and a named Assistant State Attorney at their West Palm Beach offices.  As a result of this mailing, the Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue HAZMAT Team responded to the scene to collect the powdery substance and ensure the safety of the employees and the facilities.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, WPBPD, PBSO and Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue HAZMAT Team.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert H. Waters, Jr. 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.

WEST PALM BEACH

>>> West Palm Beach Resident Sentenced for Role in Staged Accident Scheme

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Michael B. Steinbach, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CID), and Jeff Atwater, Florida Chief Financial Officer, announced today’s sentencing of Maria Molina, a/k/a Cary, 41, of West Palm Beach, in connection with her participation in a staged accident fraud scheme.  U.S. District Judge Kenneth A. Marra sentenced Molina to 48 months in prison, to be followed by 2 years of supervised release.  Defendant Molina previously pled guilty to conspiring with others to commit mail fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341; all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349.

According to court documents, under Florida’s “No Fault” insurance law, insurers must provide Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage of $10,000 per person.  Defendant Molina and other co-conspirators unlawfully enriched themselves by submitting fraudulent PIP claims for chiropractic and massage therapy treatments for individuals who had participated in staged automobile accidents. Court documents state that Molina worked as the receptionist, office manager, and billing specialist at OVY Rehabilitation Medical Center (OVY) and HHR Rehab Medical Center (HHR), both located on Congress Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida.  Molina and other co-conspirator employees and recruiters advised the staged accident participants on how to fill out the paperwork and what to say if an insurance investigator interviewed them about their injuries or treatment. The staged accident participants were instructed to sign numerous blank treatment forms that would later be submitted indicating that they had visited the clinic on a number of separate occasions for treatment, although they may have visited the clinic only once or twice. During their visits, some staged accident participants received no treatment at all, or may have received only a short exam or treatment from the chiropractor or LMT but the paperwork completed by the LMTs and chiropractors indicated that a full and lengthy exam and treatment was given.

According to court documents, Molina admitted that she was aware that patients would sign blank therapy forms for days when they did not receive treatment in order to justify the bills submitted to the insurance companies.  Molina specifically admitted that the patients who came to OVY and HHR never remained longer than 15 minutes and that the patients did not receive the treatments that were billed to the insurance companies.  Molina also admitted that she was the person responsible for compiling and mailing the claims to the insurance companies, although on some occasions she supervised others who assisted with this task…

>>> Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, IRS-CID, and the Florida Department of Insurance Fraud, and issued a special thanks to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) for its assistance in this investigation.  Mr. Ferrer also thanked the members of the Greater Palm Beach Health Care Fraud Task Force.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Marie Villafaña. 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.

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Jeffrey D. Gillen, as judge of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court.

Gillen, 61, has served as the statewide appeals director for the Department of Children and Families since 2008. Previously, Gillen handed dependency cases with the Department of Children and Families from 1997-2008. Gillen managed his father’s business, Gillen Development Corporation from 1990-1997 and co-managed Gillen Broadcasting Corporation from 1987-1990. Gillen was a partner with Harder, Silber & Gillen from 1980-1987. From 1978-1980 he practiced with General Foods Corporation and from 1976-1978 he practiced with Robert H. Jones, III. He received his bachelor’s degree from Denison University and his law degree from Syracuse University. “Jeff has dedicated the majority of his professional life to serve Florida’s families,” Governor Scott said. “I am confident that he will bring the same service and sense of fairness and integrity to the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit bench.” Gillen will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge John H. Hoy.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Mathew C. Lucas as judge for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit.

Lucas, 38, of Tampa, has served as a Hillsborough County Court judge since 2010. From 2002 to 2010, he practiced with Bricklemyer, Smolker & Bolves, P.A. both as an associate and as a shareholder. From 1999 to 2002, he was an associate with Carlton Fields, P.A. Lucas received his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and his law degree from the University of Florida. “Judge Lucas has already gained a reputation as a wise and diligent judge and as a committed public servant,” Governor Scott said. “I know that Judge Lucas will continue to serve well in his new role on the Thirteenth Circuit bench.” Lucas will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Susan Sexton.

POLK COUNTY

>>> Press release: Governor Rick Scott names Daniel H. Sleet to the Second District Court of Appeal.

Sleet, 51, of Tampa, has served as a circuit court judge on the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit since 2006. Previously, Sleet practiced with Barr, Murman, Tonelli, Slother & Sleet from 1991 to 2006. From 1987 to 1991, Sleet served as an assistant state attorney for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, and from 1986 to 1987, he served as magistrate with the City of Birmingham, Alabama. He received his bachelor’s degree from Furman University and his law degree from the Cumberland School of Law. “Judge Sleet has served the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit with honesty and integrity, and he has a strong appreciation for the rule of law and the proper role of the courts,” Governor Scott said. “I am confident he will prove to be an exemplary appellate judge.” Sleet will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge James W. Whatley.

MADISON COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Clyde Alexander Jr. to County Board of Commissioners, District 4.

Alexander, 63, of Madison, is currently the director of fitness and wellness and minority recruiter at North Florida Community College. Alexander previously served on the School Board of Madison County from 1986 to 2012.  He received his bachelors’ degree from Canisius College and his master’s degree from Florida A&M University. He will fill a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning December 21, 2012, and extending for the period of suspension, not to extend beyond the term.

GILCRIST COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott today names Dustin “Deen” Lancaster to the County School Board, District 5.

Lancaster, 43, of Trenton, is currently the owner of Deen Lancaster Realty Inc. Previously, he owned Smith & Lancaster Inc. from 2000 to 2004. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Education Foundation of Gilchrist County where he serves as the treasurer. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida. He will fill a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning December 21, 2012, and ending November 18, 2014.

MONROE COUNTY

>>> Update on Early Learning Coalition activities for M-DC and Monroe Counties service providers and state regulations

Dear Parents, Providers and Partners, On Monday, December 3rd, the board of directors of the Early Learning Coalition met and approved a plan that will achieve significant efficiencies. The plan is consistent with the six strategic initiatives set by the board of directors with stakeholder input.  The plan revamps our service delivery model, streamlines our processes, eliminates duplication, reduces administrative expenses, creates child and family friendly service sites, extends the service hours of eligibility offices to make it more convenient for families, and improves the eligibility scheduling process. More importantly, it creates additional childcare slots, resulting in increases in childcare provider revenue. The plan is also in keeping with guidance from Florida’s Office of Early Learning and Florida law:

“Any necessary reductions will be made to administrative expenditures before services provided to Florida’s children are impacted” — FOEL Guidance. “It is the intent of the legislature that the administrative staff for the school readiness programs be kept to the minimum necessary to administer the duties of the Office of Early Learning and Early Learning Coalitions” — Section 411.01(2)(d), Florida Statutes. Under this plan, the Early Learning Coalition will adopt the service model followed by 21 of 31 Coalitions in the state by providing eligibility, provider payment and childcare resource and referral services directly. Services will be provided in strategically placed offices throughout the county to make sure that families have access where they work and live. In addition, the Coalition will assist providers directly with child developmental screenings and assessments.  The Coalition will continue to work in partnership with a number of community agencies that provide other services, including training and support for the Quality Counts program. The Coalition’s board of directors is committed to serving the maximum number of children in the most cost effective, child and family friendly manner possible with a continued emphasis on quality and performance improvement. The transition will include considerable stakeholder input to ensure that the services to children, families and providers are uninterrupted.  Please e-mail me directly if you have any questions. My e-mail address is etorres@elcmdm.org. Evelio C. Torres President & CEO

COMMUNITY EVENTS

>>> Introduction to Buddhism. Zen Village, Coconut Grove: Sat January 12, 2013

5pm – 7pm Donation: $50 ($45 if you pre-register by January 5, 2013) Master Tsai offers a compelling and thorough explanation of the basic concepts of the Buddhist philosophy and tradition in this 2-hour class. This class has been designed for those interested in learning more about this ancient religion, philosophy and tradition. Click here to register.

>>> South Florida Regional Planning Board Road Show in seven counties and for more information go to http://seven50.org/uncategorized/registration-work-group-road-show/

>>> The Arsht Center and Gelb Promotions present AN ACOUSTIC EVENING WITH MATISYAHU – “Hearing Matis sing a cappella was nothing less than a spiritual experience. His voice soared, on point and pure, never once faltering…” – Miami New Times

MATISYAHU brings his acoustic show back to the Arsht Center following a sold-out performance in 2011 that received rave reviews describing the artist’s voice and stage presence as “tremendous, Zen-like, and enlightening.” MATISYAHU returns with local guitarist and longtime friend Adam Weinberg for another special acoustic evening featuring songs from his entire repertoire including his latest release, Spark Seeker, which debuted at #19 on the Billboard Top 200. AN ACOUSTIC EVENING WITH MATISYAHU will also feature a post-show question-and-answer session with the audience, bringing closeness to the artist-fan relationship. MATISYAHU began performing stripped down acoustic shows in early 2009, giving fans a more intimate and personal experience while simultaneously showcasing the simple statement of his songs, incredible vocal range, and beat box talents. January 19, 2013 at 8:30 p.m., John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall, Adrienne Arsht Center 1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33132 Tickets range from $35 to $99. All programs, artists, ticket prices, availability, dates and times are subject to change without notice. Visit www.arshtcenter.org for up-to-date information for details and schedules.

EDITORIALS

>>> If only some public servants could lift their game when it comes to customer service and being prepared to do their jobs

Last week, the Watchdog Report repeated a little experiment I have done over the last 13 years and that was to ask public employees if they had one of their business cards with them, and all of them except for just a few, did not carry a card. It might seem like a little thing to many people but people in business know it is one of the important relationship arrows in the businessperson’s personal quiver, but that fact is lost in the public sector it seems and that should be changed.

For when these public servants are at public meetings and other events they should prepare for their contact with fellow public peers or the public and this is a bright line, along with someone’s attitude to a post that determines their success in many ways and if not. It breeds complacency to their public service and performance that in these hard times is just not good enough. And when it comes to competing with the private sector, (though in most cases government has a monopoly). But what about our public hospital or nursing homes that have to compete in a dog eat dog world of competitors where customer service and patient or residence satisfaction is the watchword of the day.

And that culture in the middle level of public employees who feel insulated and immune from any retribution for their performance is what drags down a public organization regardless of top leadership’s passion, and is way behind the curve from what took place in the private sector years ago and the private sector non-responsive bureaucracy was dismantled. And that lack of forethought concerning the lack of a card is just a manifestation of that attitude. An attitude the Watchdog Report hopes will change, but that is unlikely and only the residents will suffer by this self-entitlement attitude by their public servants and them being an inspiration when it comes to outstanding public service.   

LETTERS

>>> Ros-Lehtinen Congratulates President-Elect Park Geun-hye of South Korea

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on the presidential election in the Republic of Korea. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen: “I extend my sincere congratulations to President-elect Park Geun-hye as she prepares to assume her new role as President of South Korea, a key U.S. ally.  Ms. Park will face many challenges in the months and years ahead, including a nuclear and belligerent North Korea.  It is important that her friends here in the U.S. stand beside South Korea in opposition to its aggressive northern communist neighbors. “Let me also express my personal admiration for her ability to shatter the glass ceiling in Korea in order to become the first-elected female leader in northeast Asia.  I have no doubt her leadership will continue South Korea’s prosperity and her accomplishments will be remembered for generations to come.”

>>> Thank you for your kind words and a Tip of the Hat to you for keeping all of us informed on Florida news.

The Hon. Linda Zilber

Former M-DC CITT Chair

Bay Harbour Islands
>>> Don’t know why I didn’t get Sunday night’s WDR but I really appreciate your remembering to send it to me. Very impressive – I can’t remember anything; hence, I have a lot of scraps of paper with scribbled notes! Thanks again and many wishes for the holidays.
S.N.

>>> LIFETIME FOUNDING MEMBERS & INITIAL SPONSORS IN 2000

ANGEL ESPINOSA – (Deceased) owner COCONUT GROVE DRY CLEANER’S

HUGH CULVERHOUSE, Jr.

THE MIAMI HERALD     www.miamiherald.com (2000-2008)

ARTHUR HERTZ

WILLIAM HUGGETT, Seamen Attorney (Deceased)

ALFRED NOVAK

LINDA E. RICKER (Deceased)

JOHN S. and JAMES L. KNIGHT FOUNDATION  www.knightfoundation.org

THE HONORABLE STANLEY G. TATE

>>> Watchdog Report supporters – $2,000 a year

BADIA SPICES    www.badiaspices.com

FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT www.fpl.com

RONALD HALL

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY www.miamidade.gov

UNITED WAY OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY www.unitedwaymiamidade.org

>>> Watchdog Report supporters – $1,000 a year

AKERMAN SENTERFITT   www.akerman.com

BERKOWITZ POLLACK BRANT Advisors and Accountants www.bpbcpa.com

RON BOOK

LINDA MURPHY: Gave a new laptop in Oct. 2001 to keep me going.

WILLIAM PALMER www.shutts.com

SHUBIN & BASS     www.shubinbass.com

>>> Public, Educational & Social institutions – subscribers at $1,000 or less

CAMILLUS HOUSE, INC.   www.camillushouse.org

CITY OF MIAMI www.miamigov.com.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES www.coralgables.com

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH www.miamibeachfl.gov

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP FOR HOMELESS www.cph.org

THE STATE OF FLORIDA www.myflorida.gov

GREATOR MIAMI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.miamichamber.com

GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU www.miamiandbeaches.com

HEALTH FOUNDATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA  www.hfsf.org

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY  www.miamidade.gov

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ETHICS & PUBLIC TRUST COMMISSION www.miamidade.gov/ethics

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY INSPECTOR GENERAL www.miamidade.gov/ig

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD www.dadeschools.net

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS www.dadeschools.net

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST & JACKSON HEALTH SYSTEM www.jhsmiami.org

THE BEACON COUNCIL   www.beaconcouncil.com

THE CHILDREN’S TRUST www.thechildrenstrust.org

THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES www.mdclc.org

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    http://www.firstgov.gov/

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI             www.miami.edu

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 13^th 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 600 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 www.watchdogreport.net

Est. 05.05.00

Copyright © of original material, 2012, Daniel A. Ricker

>>> 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 >>> >>> To read the full section large two page front page story, but without the photos and smart box graphics, go to: `I Go When You Cannot’ – Sun Sentinel 20 Jan 2003 … Sometimes Dan Ricker lives in the dark so others may live in the light. … to his weekly Watchdog Report have finally mailed their checks. … http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190341_1_ricker-school-board-president-miami-s-first-cuban-american >>>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

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