Watchdog Report Vol.13 No.37 February 3, 2013 Est.05.05.00 – I go when you cannot

>>> 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 trying to keep the community, state, nation and world informed of the political and governmental happenings in South Florida.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> The world of not-for-profits, Farm Share distributes 11 million pounds of food to needy Floridians yearly, looking for small $1.5 million state investment, big return

The Downtown Bay Forum www.downtownbayforum.org held its monthly luncheon on Wednesday and the ever-changing world of not-for-profits was the discussion of the day. Patricia Robbins, the founder of Farm Share www.farmshare.org , Virginia Jacko, the head of Miami Lighthouse for the Blind & Visually Impaired www.miamilighthouse.org , and Lauren Book who founded in 2007 Lauren’s Kids www.laurenskids.org were the events speakers and they detailed the advocacy world they work in . The three women, all with a passion for what they are doing told the attendees that such organizations while relying on significant public and government funding largess in many past years. After the 2008 Great Recession that funding reality changed and it is more important than ever to raise funds through contributions, grants and getting a high media profile to get the word out about your organization to the general public.

Farm Share, established in 1991 last year alone distributed more than 11 million pounds of food to hungry families, children, seniors, and veterans and more than half was recovered produce and juice. And this was accomplished with the help of 14,000 volunteer hours of their time, state’s the organization. Further, since Farm Shares inception, nearly 297 million pounds of food worth some $653 million has been given out free of charge around the state of Florida and in this case. Farm Share is hoping to get $1.5 million from the state in the coming state fiscal year that begins Jul. 1 and while a $750,000 funding hit was delivered by the state a few years ago. Robbins hopes this year, if the extra funding is approved, to be able to expand further into eight other states excess produce to distribute to the needy people of Florida.

Lauren’s Kids helps abused children and stopping sexual abuse, something that happened to her personally after a trusted family Nanny started to abuse her when she was 11 years old. Book said, when it comes to “child abuse” the general feeling is “no one wants to look at sexual abuse” and while “sexual abuse is preventable.” Communities need to start “educating the young,” and she noted, “It does happen everywhere” with one third of girls and one fifth of boys experiencing some abuse as they grow up, she said.

Jacko said Miami Lighthouse serves 10,000 legally blind people a year and the national organization has been a beacon of help for people and children with eyesight problems or are blind. She noted when it came to children, 100 blind babies were helped last year, and they also assist mothers and seniors the organization’s CEO said. And she noted children that receive help with their eyesight, costing around $100.00 per child. The community will see “7,500 children improve academically” after getting their eyesight corrected and in her organization’s case. Jacko noted the only way to get public funding was through “demonstrating a return on investment,” and believes Lighthouse falls into that category and that is why two thirds of their funding comes through donors, grants, and government fills in the other third of the not-for-profit’s roughly $6 million budget for a year.

>>> Ros-Lehtinen Joins Cong. Tim Griffin in Letter to the President Urging the Administration to Reevaluate its Position on Providing F-16s to the Morsi Muslim Brotherhood-Led Government

Press release: Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, signed on to Cong. Tim Griffin’s (R-AR) letter to President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry requesting that the Administration delay the delivery of F-16 planes to the Egyptian military. Ros-Lehtinen made the following statement: “With turmoil again on the rise in Egypt and the future of the Morsi Muslim Brotherhood-led government in doubt, it is clear that we need to reevaluate our foreign policy objectives when dealing with the Egyptian government. Morsi continually violates the civil rights of the Egyptian people and it is clear from the recent wave of demonstrations that they have had enough.

I have introduced legislation in the House to condition our aid to Egypt until we can be assured that the Egyptian government can be trusted. Recent violent outbreaks and the volatile situation in Egypt should give the U.S. reason to pause when considering continuing to provide foreign assistance to the government of Egypt, especially military assistance in the form of these F-16s. Even more disconcerting are Morsi’s views toward our closest friend and ally, the democratic Jewish State of Israel. The statements that have come to light in recent weeks clearly reveal a man who holds Jews and Israel in such contempt that it would not be out of the realm of possibility to believe he is capable of turning his aggression toward Israel. “I urge the Obama Administration to look past the Muslim Brotherhood’s facade and realize the truth: Morsi cannot be trusted. We must stop U.S. taxpayer money from funding the Morsi regime and not allow Morsi to spread his message of hate and anti-Semitism across the globe.”

>>> 2016 poll: Hillary beats Rubio, but Marco wins Hispanics By: Paul Bedard, Washington Secrets The Washington Examiner
Zogby Poll: Outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton leaves office with a new poll showing her trouncing GOP favorite Sen. Marco Rubio, 46 percent to 23 percent in a 2016 matchup. But the shocking news of the new poll by Zogby Analytics is that in a Clinton-Rubio contest, Rubio wins the Hispanic vote, 48 percent to 34 percent, a seismic shift in the potential Hispanic vote that Rubio could use as a base to build on to win in 2016. Pollster John Zogby told Secrets that the Hispanic vote is even more surprising when compared to their recent voting pattern. In 2008, Hispanics voted with President Obama 67 percent to 31 percent for Sen. John McCain. Last year, Obama took a record 70 percent of the Hispanic vote. “What really jumps out at me is among Hispanic voters Rubio actually leads 48 percent to 34 percent, with 18 percent undecided,” said Zogby. “I have been one to suggest that the Hispanic vote could be hopeless for the GOP. But maybe not?”

The poll suggests that Rubio could be the elixir the GOP has been searching for. “There’s only one way to try to conquer that and the answer may be Rubio,” he said. A senior GOP official told Secrets that if Rubio can win the Hispanic vote, “then he can win the presidency. He will keep the GOP base so adding a big chunk on to that will certainly make him the man.” The poll did not indicate why Hispanics like Rubio, other than his story growing up a Latino is well known. He has also joined the bipartisan Senate effort to reform immigration. Zogby’s nationwide poll was conducted Wednesday and Thursday among 859 likely voters. For more information and x-Tabs click here.

>>> 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

>>> State Rep. Artiles fires off letter asking M-DC Mayor Gimenez to veto PHT suing Fla. & Kendall Regional Medical Center for Level II trauma center, unlikely to be overturned

State Rep. Frank Artiles, R-Miami fired off a letter last week to Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez strongly urging the mayor veto legislation passed by the county commission allowing the Public Health Trust to sue the state and Kendall Regional Medical Center after it opened up a Level II Trauma Center over a year ago in direct competition with the Level I Ryder Trauma Center at JHS/UM. The Watchdog Report has covered this issue extensively in the past and Jackson Health System CEO Carlos Migoya said last week that he was not “Trying to put Kendall Regional out of business,” but he was protecting the legal rights of JHS in the matter. Artiles notes in his letter to Gimenez the expense to the hospital establishing the new Center, the over 1,000 patients that have been treated since it opened and while it is a private hospital owned by HCA, the nation’s largest chain of such hospitals. The company has decided not only was a trauma center needed and profitable but the facility was also a shot in the arm when it came to community public relations with nearby residents. However, the county commission resolution passed by a 10 to zero commission vote and one of the sponsors was absent, so it is unlikely that Gimenez would veto the legislation since the 13-member commission would likely override the matter.

The Watchdog Report contacted the state representative by email last week and he wrote when asked about the legal action. “Playing with people’s lives and implementing protectionist policies simply on the basis of economics is no way to deliver healthcare in this county and certainly not for my district and community,” wrote Artiles.  In addition, the Watchdog also contacted state Rep. Jeannette Nunez, R-Miami on the matter as well, since she was once a senior intergovernmental representative at the state level for JHS in years past. Before she was elected to the legislature in 2010 and she now works for HCA at the Kendall Regional Medical Canter. But by my deadline I had not gotten a response to the email.

What do we know about their finances?

Artiles through May 25, 2012 had a net worth of $184,000, down from a net worth of $196,250 in the previous year and his home is valued at $350,000. And in an email, he confirmed he now lives in his state district after a story in the media before the election had him living outside the House district he represents. In addition, Nunez through 2011 had a net worth of $284,000 and she lists $55,000 in household goods. Her income in 2010 was $52,168 from the Pubic Health Trust, Kendall Regional Medical Center kicked in $109,800 and in the following year. Her income was $132,300 from the hospital and the state contributed $29,100.

>>> PAST WDR:  BCC weighs in on suing state to protect Ryder Trauma from local competing lower level trauma centers, Kendal Regional Medical Center and others the target

The issue of the Ryder Level I Trauma Center and its hemorrhaging of around $28 million in lost revenue since Kendall Regional Medical Center opened its own Level II Trauma Center last year and chronicled in past Watchdog Report’s has taken a turn and litigation with the state Department of Health and Kendal Regional will be the order of the day. Jackson Health System (JHS) wants to “defend or preserve the Public Health Trust’s interests with respect to the provisions of trauma services in the Trust’s service area,” states the resolution passed by the Miami-Dade County commission this week. County Commissioners Jose “Pepe” Diaz and Sally Heyman sponsored the item and the yes vote was 10 to zero with Commissioners Barbara Jordan, Dennis Moss and Diaz absent from the dais.

>>> Scandal free Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade looking for new CEO to replace Abety after 11-years in top child advocate administrative slot

The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade County created by county voters in 2002 and reaffirmed overwhelmingly by a 79 percent majority of  county voters in 2008 is looking for a new president to run the around $100 million Trust. Modesto Abety, the only top administrator of the organization since its creation is prohibited from taking the job during a six-month period he has to leave. Since he is in the Florida Retirement System, but a new CEO is expected to be found in the meantime before he could reapply for the job. In addition, long serving senior administrator Charles Auslander will be the interim CEO when Abety formally leaves at the end of March.

>>> The Children’s Trust Conducts Search for a New President and CEO

Press release: The Children’s Trust Board of Directors has begun an executive search for a new President and Chief Executive Officer. Qualified candidates are preferred to have no less than 15 years of experience, including at least five leading a team of professional staff, as a senior administrator with preference for a human service agency administrator or as public administrator working with a board, council or other policy body. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of: Governance structures in Miami-Dade and the State of Florida, the demographics of the Miami-Dade population, major policy issues involving children and families, and the dynamics of large urban communities with high levels of immigration. The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County by making strategic investments in their future. >>> To view the entire job description, visit www.thechildrenstrust.org Interested and qualified candidates shall send, in one continuous Word or PDF document, a cover letter of interest, resume, at least three professional references, and salary requirements to: CEOsearch@thechildrenstrust.org >>> All information submitted to The Children’s Trust is subject to Public Records Requests and all interviews will be publicly noticed and take place in a public setting as proscribed by law.  In addition, a background check will be conducted as part of the pre-employment process.  Candidates who are not a current resident of Miami-Dade County, if hired, must relocate to Miami-Dade County within 30 days of employment. The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County.

>>> 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.

>>> UPDATE:  This week, the Governor labeled his budget message “Florida Families First,” going on to speak of “an historic investment in K-12 education.” It all builds from his emphasis on jobs-jobs-jobs. But let us ask: When will it be the turn of our most vulnerable children in their most formative years? When will early learning investment become a real priority for Florida?

The facts are these: 90 percent of brain growth occurs by age 5. 30 percent of children start formal school way behind, and then most of them get further behind. 44 percent of third grade students cannot read at minimally proficient levels. Investment in high-quality early learning is the wisest course we could take for the greatest return. If you want real education reform, the smartest path is to make sure children are fully ready to succeed in school and in life. It pains me that this is still not a full priority where it ought to be — in Tallahassee and everywhere else. We must insist on it. Dave Lawrence, Chair The Children’s Movement

>>> Press release: Alan F. Abramowitz, Executive Director of the Statewide Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Office, announced today that Jessica Allen, currently the Supervising Attorney for the GAL Program in Miami-Dade County, will assume responsibilities of Circuit Director for the 11th Judicial Circuit effective January 28, 2013. In her role as Circuit Director, Allen will direct a staff of 77 and a team of 500 GAL volunteers.  Throughout Miami-Dade County, the Guardian ad Litem program serves more than 1,800 abused, neglected and abandoned children under court supervision. In making the announcement, Florida GAL Executive Director Alan Abramowitz stated, “We are so pleased that Jessica accepted this important position.  She has already brought strong leadership to the Miami-Dade GAL program, and we look forward to continued growth so more children can be served.”

Miami community leaders praised Allen’s selection.  Long-time Circuit Court Judge Cindy S. Lederman noted that, “Jessica has been in the trenches fighting for our children every day for years.  She is a strong advocate and a compassionate leader.  Her voice will be heard and our children will benefit.”

Gail Appelrouth, the Chair of Miami-based Voices for Children stated, “…as a GAL who has worked with Jessica as my case attorney, I know that the GAL program could not be in any better hands.  She is both knowledgeable and passionate about all the children in our foster care system. The Board of Directors and Staff of Voices are thrilled to be working with Jessica, and look forward to a successful relationship.” “It is a great honor to take on the role of Circuit Director for the 11th Judicial Circuit,” said Allen. “Ten years ago, I made the decision to move to Miami and become an attorney for the sole purpose of being a child advocate. Never in my dreams did I imagine that I would have this unique opportunity to be in a position to lead the Miami-Dade County GAL Program to further our goal of providing a voice to all of our dependent children.” >> In Miami-Dade County, almost 1,200 abused and neglected children still need a volunteer Guardian ad Litem.  Anyone interested in becoming a GAL volunteer should call 305-638-6861, or go to:  http://guardianadlitem.org/partners_c11.asp#map for an online application.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> With 198 project sites, $1.001 billion of $2.9 billion M-DC GOB spent since 2004, about $39 million comes in a quarter

The $2.9 billion Miami-Dade County GOB passed in 2004 by county voters is pumping out about $39.1 million every three months states county documents for the Oct.1 to Dec. 31, 2012 time period and since voters approved the bonds issuance. The county has spent $1.004 billion on hundreds of projects since then. Currently there are 198 project sites in Miami-Dade and in that three-month time frame, $2.9 million went to municipalities, $13.4 million went to Not-For-Profit organizations like the Museum Park’s two museums and county departments got $22.7 million of this bond money for listed projects approved by voters. And eight projects were completed in this time frame ranging from $5.5 million used to complete a new Science Village Complex at Fairchild Gardens to $3.7 million for affordable housing at Porto Allegre and $2.4 million for a seawall repair and new wood pilings for Crandon Park.

County voters back then took a chance that this newfound money would be handled carefully and so far, there has not been any real significant scandals when it has come to how this money is being spent, and includes around 300 projects in total. One of the reasons for the lack of scandals is there is a community firewall of residents that watches over the disbursement of this money. The Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) meets quarterly, the body met Wednesday, and this group of volunteers now chaired by former Miami-Dade County Commission Katy Sorenson has been holding the county’s staff feet to the fire on this money. Though documents show some CAC members are failing to show up and they are going to be reminded. Since getting a quorum has periodically been a problem. And while some solid long time CAC members have left the board, the county commission needs to fill any vacancies immediately with qualified appointees and the next meeting of this critical oversight board watching over this significant public bond money is May 8, 2013.  For more on the GOB projects got to www.miamidade.gov/build .

>>> $400 million Dolphins stadium deal likely evolving, clock is ticking but owner Ross will likely have to sweeten pot for public

The Miami Dolphins $400 million upgrade of Sun Life Stadium that would include enclosing the stadium’s roof from the inclement weather has split the community in half with some critics calling for a countywide referendum since $199 million is being asked for in tourist tax dollars and also a permanent property tax exemption worth about $3 million for the decades to come. The team says the upgrades are vital for the professional sports facility to be competitive with the prize being securing the 2016 50^th Super Bowl that is set to be picked in late May. The team is putting on a full court press on elected leaders at the local and state level, but significant hurdles remain to be cleared for any such financing package.

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez has said any deal would not be in anyway shape or form like the Miami Marlins new stadium that finances out to $2.5 billion through the life of the bonds. And the deal is on the “shoulders of the Dolphins,” said Gimenez recently at a commission meeting.

Further, while Stephen Ross, a billionaire worth $4.4 billion has anted up $202 million of the cost, just over fifty percent. The NFL is also likely to make a contribution from a fund it has for new stadiums that are also being asked for by other teams around the nation. And currently the big competitor for the 2016 game is San Francisco and its new professional sports facility. And the Dolphins have a web site that is counting down the time until the NFL chooses where the big anniversary game will be held in the future. www.miamifirst.com >>> Here is a longer story: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/01/3212782/the-fight-for-the-16-super-bowl.html

However, the obstacles are considerable when it comes to some elected leaders on the county commission and while a non-binding resolution in support of the deal was passed and pushed by Commissioner Barbara Gordan. “The stink of the Marlins” deal was everywhere in the room said County Commissioner Estephan “Steve” Bovo before the vote and that past stadium deal is the 800-pound gorilla that the Dolphins have to overcome. Further, Norman Braman, the billionaire civic activist has decried the deal as “Marlins Part II,” and public welfare for a billionaire who should use his own money to finance the upgrades and at a minimum, a public referendum should be done. However, the Dolphins have tried to blunt Braman’s opposition noting he took public money for a new stadium decades ago in Philadelphia when he owned the Eagles and ran an ad in the media attacking the man. However, Braman responds when you don’t have the facts to back you up, “You attack” the other person making the objection he has said on local television shows where he is making the rounds.

However, when I asked one insider about the deal, the fact the Watchdog Report thought there should be greater financial participation by Ross and the county should get an equity stake in the stadium if it had any chance to clear some of these hurdles. And the general take I heard was this is  a evolving deal and if there is a final commitment it will be significantly different then what is on the bargaining table now, if it is going to get public and elected leaders buy in.

Bovo

>>> County and Miami Police Chief’s need to hash out turf war at Clark Government Center, drugs & prostitution the norm outside of building

A drug and prostitute operation is being run outside the Miami-Dade County Stephen P. Clark Center in downtown Miami and because of a snafu, neither police force is doing anything about it say multiple credible sources on the matter. The city of Miami police say it is a county building and not their problem and Miami-Dade cops say the building is in the city of Miami and not their jurisdiction. But critics suggest the two police chiefs get together and hammer out a solution of the problem easily visible to anyone that watches for a period of time what is going on outside the government center. And this is not the first wayward problem with the building. The pharmacy inside the government center’s lobby around five times over the past decade has been busted and closed because of a Medicare fraud scam was being run out of the store.

>>> GMCVB: Miami International Airport Arrivals –  RECORD ARRIVALS AT MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MIA) FOR TWELVE MONTHS OF 2012
Passenger arrivals at Miami International Airport (MIA) increased in the full year of 2012 with international passenger arrivals up 5.3% and domestic arrivals up 0.9% when compared to the same time period last year. Total arrivals increased for twelve months of 2012 by  3.0%.

INTERNATIONAL MIA Passenger Arrivals
January – December 2012	January – December 2011	% Change
9,774,878	9,283,867	5.3%
DOMESTIC MIA Passenger Arrivals
January – December 2012	January – December 2011	% Change
10,066,753	9,972,896	0.9%
TOTAL MIA Passenger Arrivals
January – December 2012	January – December 2011	% Change
19,841,631	19,256,763	3.0%

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOL

>>> Saga of A&M Academy winding down, rent plummets from $73,000 to $43,000 a month in school’s building founder owns

With the continuing saga since 2004 of the Arts and Minds Academy Charter School in Coconut Grove possible now starting to turn a corner with the public schools district after a critical over 300 page district forensic audit found a host of issues including governance and excessively high rent approved by a rubber stamp board for the building owned by the school’s owner and founder Manny Alonso-Poch. The school’s leadership, working through a hired political gun, Frank Atkinson who was a former state representative and now is an Osceola County Commissioner, has slowly resolved many of the issues cited in the audit.

A district Jan. 22 audit department document states that changes have occurred and in the case of the $73,000 a month rent, that monthly rent has now plummeted to $43,000, the school is now shielded from “any ad valorem tax liabilities,” and there is evidence that two new board members have been found to replace the two that had resigned and a attorney has been engaged “to review” any “items coming to the board that may present a conflict of interest.”

What issues are still outstanding?

The school’s auditor however notes there are still outstanding issues that include a parent on the governing board, a more “open and defined process for selection and composition on the board,” a prohibition “against relatives of a prominent vendor serving on the board and a “competitive procurement process for large contracts.” And the audit committee is planning to have a follow-up reviews in the coming months of the progress and resolution of these last issues with  A&M  cited in the critical district audit. >>> Here are some past stories and the district audit: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/06/21/2859749/audit-coconut-grove-charter-school.html >>> Here is the link to the school district audit and A&Ms rebuttal http://mca.dadeschools.net/AuditCommittee/AC_june_26_2012/item8.pdf

>>> PAST WDR:  Arts & Minds charter school long awaited audit hits District’s Audit Committee Tuesday, rent in school founder owned building now $74,000 per month, but will governance and mgt. issues continue?

The controversial Arts and Minds Charter Academy in Coconut Grove is back on the Miami-Dade Schools Audit & Budget Advisory Committee Tuesday and the charter school has the distinction of a over 300-page forensic audit done by the District back in June that highlighted a host of issues, that the school’s leadership generally denies. At the last audit committee meeting the school had yet to provide all the documentation and had the chair reflecting the whole matter said it was like the play, “Waiting for Godet and Godet never shows up,” when it came to closing out the matters and issues with A&M. And this week the public will find out what the community firewall Audit Committee members think of the new school audit >>> To read the charter school’s audit go to http://mca.dadeschools.net/CBO_CharterDocs_1213/Academy%20of%20Arts%20and%20Mind

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> Global Agreements with unions passes 4-2, dissenter Bileca says going to “RFP for ER services typical around the nation,” union initiatives have produced $15 million in reduced costs

While the Financial Recovery Board (FRB) backed some new “Global Reopener Settlement Agreement” with the unions hammered out by the administration resolving a variety of issues at Jackson Health System last Monday by 4 to 2. The dissenters felt political pressure had affected one stipulation in the contract when it came to withdrawing a RFP seeking to privatize the emergency room services. The unions did make major concessions and there are efficiency fiscal benchmarks and real savings (There have been $15 million in operateing efficiencies by union workers and in the coming year, $8 million is the mark), and any legal actions brought by SEIU Local 1991 have been withdrawn as part of the agreement, and included a Sunshine Law records request suit setteled in December.

However, FRB Member Stephen Nuell felt that they were being locked in with some of the language in the agreements for around 18 months and given the changing landscape of healthcare. He felt the board might need that flexibility in the future. In addition, state Rep. Michael Bileca, R-Miami noted he had called hospitals around the nation and said “Going to a RFP for Emergency Room services is typical [for hospitals] around the nation,” and believed political pressure had forced the administration to withdraw the RFP. And he felt that political injection into the process was infringing on the FRB and administration’s independent authority to run the pubic health system.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> Legal action amps the voltage on new controversial Gables trolley depot in Village West – Commissioner Sarnoff & Atty. Kuvin comment on matter

A controversial City of Coral Gables Trolley Maintenance Facility being built in the Village West of Coconut Grove has escalated with the filing of a lawsuit this week by local three residents and a local church’s attorneys and it culminated in an animated meeting in the Miami Commission Chambers on Thursday night. Commissioner Marc Sarnoff fielded questions along with assistant city Manager Alice Bravo in the packed chambers, with the attendant media and members of the local Black and Bahamian community vented their frustration that they were not aware of the project, since the city advertised it on it’s webpage only thanks to Miami 21. A new massive zoning code and regulations implemented a few years ago by Miami.  Further, members of the Coconut Grove Village Council blasted Sarnoff for not doing more in the matter and the Council was the vehicle Sarnoff used to catapult himself to the city commission back in 2006.

The maintenance structure is considered by opponents as not being suitable for a residential area surrounded by homes, some owned by the same people for generations, and some of them see this as another example of the area being abused by a municipality. The property in dispute along Grand Avenue was bought by Astor Development Holdings LLC after a deal with Coral Gables. The developer is putting up a tony project in the City Beautiful on the municipality’s old trolley maintenance depot land and Astor was required to replace the facility and bought the land in the Grove. “What do you do [when] an owner of land sells that land to Astor,” said Sarnoff. Moreover, he did extract “certain demands” such as a “$200,000 community benefit,” contribution to a fund now with $700,000 in it to rehabilitate the football field and the sports program at Armbrister Park.

The Watchdog Report contacted Sarnoff and Lowell J. Kuvin, one of the plaintiffs attorneys who first cut his legal chops fighting the City of Coral Gables ban on parking trucks overnight and was abolished recently by city voters, though there are certain conditions the way the vehicle must be parked outside someone’s home. Sarnoff, the Miami District 2 commissioner wrote, “I support the neighbors’ constitutional right to their day in court. Of course, the City of Miami and I will abide by any decisions the court makes. I listened last night and I heard the message loud and clear. What I hope my constituents heard from me is that while the developer has the right to build on that land. I did everything I could make sure the impact on the neighborhood was lessened, that the operation of the facility is safe and environmentally sound, and that the developer give back to the community in substantive manner. I want the West Grove to thrive but I also truly believe that our focus needs to be on creating opportunities and a safer environment for our children and young adults,” wrote Sarnoff also an attorney.

Kuvin had a slightly different take on the matter. He wrote, “I think the meeting was a great success. It was well attended by residents from Coconut Grove. I believe the presentation made by the developer’s environmentalist was simply stated as; you are not going to die as a result of the busses and the diesel emissions. However, he did not talk about the facility being located in a residential neighborhood. His analysis also did not include the amount of already present pollution in the area. The Trolley Facility impact on the community will be in addition to the already present levels of pollution. Upon recent information and belief, residue/pollution from “Old Smokey” is ever present in the West Grove – the trolley station would add to levels of contamination. If the facility is so great, why doesn’t the City of Coral Gables want to keep it in their neighborhoods? Pick-up trucks lower property values, but, a trolley maintenance facility is good for the neighborhood?” For more on the meeting go to:  http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/01/3212792/miamis-commissioner-sarnoff-gets.html

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> Now there are three; Cepero, Morales, and Rollason make shortlist to fill the top Mgr. post

The Watchdog Report sat through one of the interviews of city manager candidates Wednesday and I listened to Jimmy Morales, a hometown Beach boy make his pitch. Morales, an attorney who graduated from Harvard with an undergraduate and law degree dabbled in Wall Street before coming back to Miami and started his family. He would later run for the Miami-Dade County Commission in 1996, served as the District 7 representative for two terms, and in 2004 ran a losing campaign for mayor of Miami-Dade that was won by Carlos Alvarez. Morales said one of the things some people say about him is he “is too nice,” and he told Mayor Mattie Herrera Bower and commissioners that while part of that is his temperament and upbringing. He said he could be tough, has fired people and in past situations like when he was the attorney for the City of Marathon. He initiated an investigation of a popular city manager for sexual harassment and the case was sustained, he said

He also said while never running a city of 90,000 residents before he was a “good listener,” had strong values and had a “commitment to competence, ethics and performance.”  He also noted he would give department heads and other employees an opportunity to explain what was going on in their departments and any problems. However, after such an opportunity, if something surfaces later, that should have been known, he would take swift action, he said. When the Watchdog Report sent an email on being on the finalist list. Morales wrote, “I am honored to be on the short list and look forward to continuing in the process.” Morales is now one, of two other candidates, up for the top management job in a city where hundreds of millions of dollars are currently being spent on upgrades or new municipal infrastructure.

Besides Morales, Frank Rollason and Monica Cepero have made the commission’s short list and the Watchdog Report knows Rollason since the mid 1990s when he was working for the City of Miami in senior administrative capacities including briefly as a manager, but it was a turbulent time on the commission and he would later leave the post. He then was the director of a Miami CRA and then later retired. He has been a candidate for the Miami Commission since then running for District 2 and at the time faced Marc Sarnoff. He also contributes to The Biscayne Times, a local monthly newspaper, and he has been very active in a host of civic engagements over the years and if he is selected it would be his second whack at the public service apple. And in an email on the matter sent to Rollason. He replied, “I am honored to have been selected for further consideration and look forward to the next step in the process,” wrote the veteran public administrator. And Cepero is a senior administrator in Broward County and while I missed both of these peoples interviews. Since they made the cut, they must have impressed the commission and Bower. And the final selection will be made in the weeks ahead after an intensive background check is done on the individuals. Editor’s note: I contacted Cepero by email but she did not respond by my deadline Sunday.

>>> Mayor Bower webpage: After two full days of interviews, the first day being with the Mayor and Commission as a body, and the second day consisting of one-on-one meetings between the elected officials and the candidates, three potential successors have emerged.  They are: MONICA CEPERO, current assistant to the county administrator in Broward County, Florida; JIMMY MORALES, currently in private practice and city attorney for the City of Doral, Florida and FRANK ROLLASON, who currently represents a local architectural firm and was a former career administrator for the City of Miami, Florida.  While I was highly impressed with the entire pool of candidates, and can say I learned something new from each one of them, these three proved to be the best match for the current and future needs of our City based on their experiences and skill sets. The process for moving forward to the ultimate selection will be discussed at a future City Commission meeting. Replays of the group interviews and the deliberation session are available at: http://www.miamibeachfl.gov/mbtv77/

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> Houston we have a problem, new trolley depot in Grove debate heating up with lawsuit

The issue of a new trolley maintenance depot in the Village West of Coconut Grove had both Coral Gables Manager Pat Salerno and City Atty. Craig Leen taking a road trip to the Miami Commission Chambers Thursday night for a Townhall meeting with local residents on the new structure in the middle of their residential neighborhood along Grand Avenue. The project (see the city of Miami story) has exploded in the public’s eye and is linked up with a new upscale development in the City Beautiful. >>> Here is more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/01/3212792/miamis-commissioner-sarnoff-gets.html

CITY OF OPA LOCKA

>>> Opa-Locka Police Captain Sentenced As Part of Drug Trafficking Organization

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, Hugo Barrera, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), J.D. Patterson, Acting Director, Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD), and Addy M. Villanueva, Special Agent in Charge, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), announce that Arthur Balom, 44, of Miramar, a Captain with the City of Opa-Locka Police Department, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Joan A. Lenard to 87 months imprisonment for his participation in the distribution of cocaine, ecstasy and oxycodone in Opa-Locka in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. According to statements made in court during the change of plea and at the sentencing hearing, and those contained in court filings, Balom was part of a drug trafficking organization operating out of an Opa-Locka apartment complex known as “The Back Blues.”  More specifically, according to in court statements, while Balom was a Captain in the Opa-Locka Police Department (OLPD), Balom aided and abetted in the distribution of drugs by the organization by: (1) providing the organization with information related to police activity in the area; (2) directing officers to leave the area; and (3) assisting members of the organization when they came into contact with law enforcement.

In one instance, discussed in court and in the pleadings, FBI agents provided Balom with a notebook containing photographs of various suspects related to an armed robbery. The FBI agents asked Balom about a suspected co-conspirator.  The day after speaking with FBI agents about the suspect, Balom met with that very suspect and showed him the notebook provided by the FBI.  In another instance, Balom provided ballistic vests to members of the drug organization. Mr. Ferrer commended the FBI, ATF, the MDPD, and FDLE for their efforts in the investigation of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gilfarb. 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.

VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE

>>> Contractors get initial briefing on $31 million Bear Cut bridge repair project

The Pre- Submittal Project and Briefing Meeting for the design and build of the Bear Cut Bridge on the Rickenbacker Causeway was held Monday at county hall and about 40 engineers and contractors listened to the criteria county officials were looking for to do the $31 million repair of a side of the causeway deemed unsafe for trucks and only allowing cars and bicycles, but is causing a major headache for local residents. The issue of the bridge closing came in December after state FDOT officials intervened and the county has been working feverishly to get the work started and there is still the Sony Open in less than 60 days coming to the Crandon Park Tennis Center and event officials and county officials are working to come up with a way to mitigate the traffic, that during the event traditionally has been a nightmare for local Key Biscayne residents.

>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA

BROWARD COUNTY

>>> Guilty Plea Entered By Two Individuals Charged in Plot to Conceal and Dispose of Assets in Connection with Rothstein Case

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CID), announced that Kimberly Wendell Rothstein, 38, and Stacie Weisman, 49, pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit money laundering in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, before the Honorable Judge Robin S. Rosenbaum.  Sentencing for Kimberly Rothstein has been scheduled April 19, 2013 at 9:00 a.m.  Sentencing for Stacie Weisman has been scheduled for June 7, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. Kimberly Rothstein and Stacie Weisman were charged, along with Scott F. Saidel, 45, in September 2012 in connection with certain crimes committed in furtherance of a plot to conceal and dispose of assets which were forfeitable as proceeds of a Ponzi scheme orchestrated by Scott W. Rothstein.  At the same time, in September, Eddy Marin, 50, and Patrick Daoud, 54, were also charged in a separate, but related, matter with obstruction of justice and perjury, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1512(k) and 1621.

According to the documents filed with the court, former Ft. Lauderdale attorney Scott W. Rothstein, who was the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the law firm of Rothstein, Rosenfeldt and Adler, P.A. (RRA), used the funds obtained from the operation of a Ponzi scheme to purchase tens of millions of dollars of real estate, vehicles, vessels, business interests, luxury watches, jewelry and sports memorabilia for himself, his wife, Kimberly Rothstein, and others.  As part of his plea agreement, Scott W. Rothstein agreed to forfeit to the government all assets acquired with funds derived through the aforesaid Ponzi scheme.  On November 9, 2009, agents of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, went to the Rothstein residence, where Kimberly Rothstein assisted the agents in retrieving what was believed to be all of the available cash, jewelry and luxury watches which had previously been purchased by Scott W. Rothstein with proceeds derived from the Ponzi scheme.  However, according to Court documents, before, during and after the aforesaid seizure by federal agents on November 9, 2009, Kimberly Rothstein, Stacie Weisman, and Scott F. Saidel knowingly took action to conceal certain items of jewelry, valued in excess of one million dollars, for the purpose of preventing the government from exercising its authority to take such property into its lawful custody and control.  Thereafter, Kimberly Rothstein and Stacie Weisman sold and attempted to sell a portion of this jewelry to and through various persons, including Eddy Marin and Patrick Daoud.

The documents further allege that, in connection with civil proceedings instituted by the Trustee in bankruptcy for RRA, all of the defendants took steps to obstruct justice by concealing the true location of certain items of jewelry in order to prevent its availability for use in the bankruptcy proceedings.  It is further alleged that Marin and Daoud committed perjury during depositions in connection with the bankruptcy proceedings, and that Kimberly Rothstein, Stacie Weisman and Scott F. Saidel sought to have Scott W. Rothstein testify falsely in connection with those proceedings. Defendants Eddy Marin and Patrick Daoud are set to commence trial on April 8, 2013.  Defendant Scott F. Saidel pled guilty on January 30, 2013 and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 7, 2013. U.S. Attorney Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CID and FBI.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lawrence LaVecchio, Jeffrey Kaplan, Paul Schwartz and Evelyn Sheehan. 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.

CITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE

>>> Fort Lauderdale Woman Convicted in Identity Theft Tax Refund Fraud Scheme Involving the Filing of Approximately 2,000 Fraudulent Tax Returns Seeking $11 Million Dollars in Refunds

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 (USSS), Miami Field Office, announced yesterday’s conviction at trial of Alci Bonannee, 36 of Fort Lauderdale, of one count of conspiracy to defraud the government in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 286, nine counts of filing false claims in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 287, nine counts of aggravated identity theft in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A, and fourteen counts of wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, the defendant was the primary perpetrator of an identity theft tax fraud scheme that operated from December 2010 to June 2012.  During the course of the fraud scheme, there were approximately 2,000 fraudulent tax returns submitted to the Internal Revenue Service for payment seeking $11 million dollars in refunds.  The Department of Treasury paid out several million dollars into bank accounts in the name of and controlled by the defendant and her co-conspirators.  The defendant and her co-conspirators withdrew this money in cash.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, the defendant filed a large percentage of these fraudulent returns from her house in Fort Lauderdale, from her friends’ houses in Broward County and from a hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina.  The defendant filed many of these fraudulent returns using compromised personal identification information obtained from a nurse at a local hospital.  Bonannee is scheduled to be sentenced on April 26, 2013.  She faces a possible maximum prison sentence of 351 years. Defendant’s co-conspirator, Chante Mozley, pled guilty to conspiracy to file fraudulent claims on January 9, 2013.  Mozley faces a possible maximum prison sentence of 10 years.  Sentencing is scheduled for March 28, 2013. Defendant’s co-conspirator, Sonyini Clay, pled guilty to conspiracy to file fraudulent claims and aggravated identity theft on January 14, 2013.  Clay faces a possible maximum prison sentence of 12 years.  Sentencing is scheduled for April 26, 2013. Mr. Ferrer commended IRS-CID and USSS for their work on the case.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael N. Berger and Wilfredo Fernandez. 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 PLANTATION

>>> Guilty Plea Entered by Contractor Charged with Paying Bribes to Director of Traffic Engineering

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, Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Marlies T. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, announced that James Hashim, 50, of Plantation, pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit bribery in programs receiving federal funds, highway fraud, mail fraud, extortion under color of official right, and tax fraud, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371, before the Honorable Judge James I. Cohn.  Sentencing has been scheduled for Friday, April 26, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. Hashim was charged, along with Anthoneel Allen, 40, of Wellington, in connection with a scheme wherein they paid bribes to Jihad El Eid, who was the Director of Traffic Engineering in the Division of Public Works in Broward County.

According to the documents filed with the court, in or about 2005, Allen hired Hashim as a vice president of Southeast Underground Utilities (SUU).  Hashim was to work as an estimator and to help SUU obtain government contracts.  Hashim admitted that beginning in the fall of 2006 through 2010, he and Allen provided to Jihad El Eid more than $150,000 in cash, a 2003 Ford Taurus, and a job at SSUU for Wael El Eid (a relative of Jihad El Eid) in order to curry favor with Jihad El Eid.  In return, Jihad El Eid helped SUU obtain work on multi-million dollar projects initiated by the Broward County Traffic Engineering Division, including the Signalization and Street Light Installation (SSLI) contract, a contract to make installations and do repair work of the street lights and traffic equipment in Broward County; the Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS Project), a federally-funded project, which required the contractor to install an integrated traffic control system which entailed laying hundreds of thousands of feet of underground cable and conduit in order to synchronize traffic flow within Broward County; and the Video Detection Contract (VDC), which required the contractor to install video detection cameras in various intersections in Broward County in order to improve traffic flow.  Jihad El Eid also assisted SUU concerning billing, specification and inspection matters that resulted in SUU being overpaid by at least $3,000,000. According to the documents filed with the court, Hashim also admitted that he and Allen conspired to evade paying federal income and employment taxes on bonuses and payments made by SUU related to the purchase of Hashim’s $1.25 million house in Plantation. >>> Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, IRS-CI, and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, in connection with the investigation of this matter. >>> 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.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

>>> Armed Bank Robber Sentenced on Bank Robbery and Firearms Charges

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, W. Howard Harrison, Chief, Plantation Police Department, and Anthony Strianese, Chief, Delray Beach Police Department, announce that Bryan Whitehead, 32, of Miami, was sentenced today before U.S. District Judge William J. Zloch, in connection with his previous convictions after trial for bank robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a) and the use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c).

At today’s hearing, U.S. District Judge William J. Zloch sentenced defendant Bryan Whitehead to 471 months in prison (39.25 years) to be followed by five years of supervised release upon his release from imprisonment. According to the Indictment, in court statements, and documents filed with the court, on May 1, 2010, a black male, later identified as Bryan Whitehead, wearing a dark nylon covering on his face, royal blue surgical scrubs, and brandishing a dark colored handgun, entered Bank of America, located at 7215 W. Atlantic Boulevard, in Delray Beach, Florida. Whitehead forced customers to the floor at gunpoint and accompanied bank employees to the vault area where he made the bank manager open one of the vault drawers.  Whitehead also took money from several teller drawers and removed dye packs from the bank loot prior to departing the bank.  Whitehead escaped with approximately $30,000 in cash. Thereafter, on Monday, May 21, 2012, Whitehead entered the BB&T branch located at 450 Pine Island Road, in Plantation, Florida. Whitehead, who was wearing khaki pants and holding a firearm, entered the bank and forced a bank customer to the ground at gunpoint before pulling a black beanie over his face.  From the lobby, Whitehead pointed a firearm at a bank teller and demanded that she open the door to the teller area.  Whitehead removed the cash from the teller drawers and placed the cash in a dark colored cloth sack.  Whitehead then demanded at gunpoint that the tellers open the vault.  Once inside the vault area, Whitehead filled a cloth sack with in excess of $13,990 and thereafter fled the bank.  Ultimately, Plantation Police Department captured Whitehead in a nearby gas station parking lot.  During a search of the Defendant’s vehicle, officers recovered the firearm used during the commission of the offense, Whitehead’s disguise, a police scanner, and the stolen money. >>> Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, the Plantation Police Department, and the Delray Beach Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton. 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 BOCA RATON

>>> Boca Raton Chiropractor Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud in Connection with Staged Accident Scheme

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, Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Jeff Atwater, Florida Chief Financial Officer, announced that defendant Jennifer Adams, 39, of Boca Raton, a chiropractic doctor, was sentenced yesterday to 54 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.  She was also ordered to pay restitution of $1,920,424.83.  Adams previously pled guilty to a one-count Information charging her with conspiring with others to commit mail fraud for her role in a staged accident fraud scheme. According to court documents, to execute the fraud scheme, the recruiters sought out drivers and their friends/family members to participate in staged accidents.  Under Florida’s “No Fault” insurance law, insurers are required to provide Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage of $10,000 per person.  The recruiters referred to the individuals whom they recruited as the “Perro” and the “Perra.”  The “Perro” was the person who “caused” the staged accident.  The “Perra” was the person who was the “victim” of the staged accident and whose car was struck by the “Perro’s” car.  Thus, if the recruiter found a Perro with a wife and two children and a Perra with two friends, for a total of seven (7) participants, the maximum PIP benefit was $70,000.

Once the recruiters found the participants, they coached the participants on how to perform the staged accident, what to say to the police officer who responded to the scene, and on how to claim that they had been injured.  Thereafter, the accident was staged.  After impact, a police officer was called, and a police report was filed.  After the staged accident, the Perro and Perra filed false claims with their insurance companies, alleging that they and their family members were injured. Court documents state that the accident participants were then directed by the recruiters to chiropractic clinics that were controlled by co-defendants.  The staged accident participants completed paperwork falsely asserting that they suffered injuries during the staged accident.  The co-conspirators advised the 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, including Dr. Adams, indicated that a full and lengthy exam and treatment was given.

According to court documents, Adams agreed to place her name on the corporate paperwork for two clinics, thus utilizing her status as a licensed Chiropractic Physician, to allow the clinics to bill insurance companies directly for PIP claims without obtaining additional licensure from the State of Florida. Those clinics were Ovy Rehabilitation Medical Center, Inc. (OVY) in West Palm Beach, Florida and Chiropractic Office of South Florida, LLC (COSF) in Palm Springs, Florida.  Although Adams was named as the owner of the clinic on the corporate paperwork, the co-conspirators maintained control of the bank account and running the operations of the clinics. Court documents state that Adams initially believed the clinics to be operating legitimately. Sometime thereafter, Adams became aware that her license and status as a Chiropractor was being used to fraudulently submit claims by U.S. Mail to insurance companies. Adams realized these patients did not require the medical treatment they sought. Adams continued to work at both clinics signing prescriptions for plans of treatment that she knew were not medically necessary and that she knew were being submitted for reimbursement to numerous insurance companies.  According to court documents, from the time that Adams was told about the fraud until the clinics were closed by law enforcement, the clinics submitted fraudulent claims that resulted in more than ten insurance companies making total payments of $1,920,424.83.  Defendant Adams received a salary for her work as a chiropractic physician paid from the COSF and OVY checking accounts.  The bulk of the proceeds of the fraud were taken by co-conspirators.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, IRS-CI, 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.

PALM BEACH GARDENS

>>> Former Palm Beach County Middle School Principal Sentenced for Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Unlawful Sexual Activity

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Alysa D. Erichs, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Field Office, announced that Scott A. Blake, 47, of Palm Beach Gardens, was sentenced today to 120 months imprisonment by Senior United States District Judge Kenneth L. Ryskamp on charges of enticing a minor to engage in an illegal sexual activity in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2422(b). This case stemmed from an undercover investigation into several geographic location social networking websites.  Blake, who at the time was the Principal of Polo Park Middle School, located in Wellington, Florida, contacted the undercover law enforcement officer via those websites.

After a number of sexually suggestive conversations, Blake arranged to meet the officer, who he thought was a 15-year-old boy, at a local mall for the purpose of engaging in illegal sexual activity.  Blake arrived at the mall and was taken into custody.  The HSI and other law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Blake’s residence and seized computers, documents and records that resulted in this federal prosecution. >>> Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of ICE-HSI and the members of the South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lothrop Morris and Jennifer Millien. 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.

PINELLAS COUNTY

>>> Gov. Scott reappoints Ronnie Duncan to the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority.

Duncan, 55, of Tarpon Springs, has been the president of The Duncan Companies since 1998. He served as Pinellas County Commissioner from 2004 to 2008 and was a member of the Governing Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District from 1999 to 2005. Duncan received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Georgia. He is reappointed for a term beginning January 30, 2013, and ending September 20, 2015.

POLK COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Jalal A. Harb, of Lakeland, to the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court to fill out the term of deceased former Circuit Judge Karla F. Wright.

Harb, 56, has served as an Assistant State Attorney in Florida since 1988 as a homicide prosecutor in both the Tenth and Thirteenth Judicial Circuits.  He prosecuted the case of Khalid Pasha who was found guilty last week of the 2002 murders of his wife and her daughter. Harb received his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and his law degree from Thomas Cooley Law School.

“Jalal is a proven hardworking and fair attorney and public servant,” Governor Scott said. “I am confident that he will be an excellent addition to the Tenth Circuit bench.”

COMMUNITY EVENTS

>>> It’s your chance to “Get Involved Miami!” >> Lots of folks still believe that sex trafficking of children is something that happens in other countries. Well, it’s not. It happens right here in our very own communities. Join Kristi House and community leaders for a night of food, wine & spirits, and great music by DJ Troubles – to benefit Kristi House’s Project GOLD shelter for child victims of sex trafficking. Next Friday, you too can become part of the anti-human trafficking movement and help us bring an end to child sex trafficking in Miami and beyond.

Friday, February 8, 2013 >> 7:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. Moore Building, 4040 NE 2nd Avenue Miami, FL 33137 Tickets online at www.kristihouse.org/blue-carpet-event

Advance Tickets: $100 per person/$175 per couple At the Door: $125 per person

For more information, contact Kristi House, Mary Faraldo, faraldo@kristihouse.org; 786-218-9748 or the Development Office of Kristi House 305-547-6800 Please follow the event on Twitter and on Facebook.

EDITORIALS

>>> Fla. Legislative leaders Gaetz & Weatherford should go for the Gold when it comes to any new public corruption, ethics and transparency legislation

The news that Florida Senate President Don Gaetz and House Speaker Will Weatherford are focusing in tamping down corruption and for enhanced transparency in state transactions is good to hear, but the challenge will be to get their respective collogues to buy into the idea as well, in the good old boy state legislature. Gaetz notes in his own county, a host of elected officals and others in public positions have been arrested and gone to jail including the county sheriff. And he notes Okaloosa County where he is from is a mid size county and not the epicenter of corruption, but it is widespread. The Senate president also apparently gets along with Weatherford and the two chaired the statewide redistricting process last year and in their stop in Miami for public hearings. The two men got along very well and seemed to enjoy working together and this synergy of personalities could prove a winning combination for good government reform in The Sunshine State. http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/what-sets-don-gaetz-and-will-weatherford-apart

And Florida’s over 19 million residents should show their support for the reforms to state legislators meeting next month who embrace these new reforms. For Florida has a history of a Culture of Corruption that crosses both party lines and demographics and it must be tamped down. For if this is a genuine opportunity for reform, the legislature must go for it and not lose their backbone for the time is now, made more apparent after the 2008 Great Recession. That every public dollar is sacred and precious and must be used wisely and accounted for, because that is what Florida taxpayers are demanding in these lean times. And legislators from both sides of the aisle must pick up this flag and take it over the legislative line for the stars and moon are aligned and the opportunity must not be wasted. For this is the time for true reform and leaders must strike while the iron is hot. If all Floridians are to believe in their state government, with possible around a $74 billion budget next year, which is no small number that needs to be watched over carefully with transparency and diligence by lawmakers and taxpayers alike.

LETTERS

>>> Former PHT Trustee Tate on history of creation of JHS/UM Ryder Trauma Center back in 1992

I read with interest you’re Volume 13, #36, January 27, 2013 issue of the Watchdog Report, which mentions the monies that were obtained by the Public Health Trust, many years ago, from The Ryder Corporation, when my good friend, Jay Weiss, got the money from Ryder, which helped enable the Ryder Trauma Center to actually be built. What your article did not talk about, was that I was with Jay, in my role also as a member of the Public Health Trust at that time, in an attempt to get the $2.5 million contribution.  Additionally, what your articles does not state, is the fact that not many people know about, since at that meeting the CEO of Ryder, Anthony Burns, told us that unless we got enough money from other sources (other than the Ryder Corporation), the $2.5 million that the Ryder Corporation pledged, would not be donated.

I flew to Washington and met with Congressman Bill Lehman.  Congressman Lehman couldn’t have been more responsive.  Because he was Chairman of the Transportation Committee, he told me that we (the Public Health Trust) could probably qualify for a Grant from the U. S. Government, thru the Transportation Committee, for several millions of dollars, which would be sufficient to at least get the construction of the Ryder Center started. The Congressman said we had to establish what Federal Highway system would be in close proximity to the location of the Jackson Memorial Hospital, where the Ryder Trauma Center would be incorporated as a part of the Jackson Memorial Hospital.

There were 2 Highways close enough to the proposed Ryder Trauma Center location that, according to Congressman Lehman, could qualify for the justification of getting the approval for the money from the Transportation Committee, to be funded by the Federal Government. It was that commitment of money that really allowed for, and brought about the existence of the Ryder Trauma Center.  This was accomplished solely due to the efforts of Congressman Lehman. It is true we did promise Chairman Burns that we would name the facility after the Ryder Corporation, if they would go ahead and fund the $2.5 million, which they did.  That was the “kick-off” amount to establish the initial funding for the Ryder Trauma Center, to be constructed at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

I don’t want to take anything away from Jay Weiss.  At that time, Jay Weiss and I were very good friends, and we recognized that, in order for Jackson Memorial to be the kind of Hospital we envisioned, it was necessary for Jackson to have a Level 1 Trauma Center,  which the entire Dade County did not have at that time.

That is how the Level 1 Ryder Trauma Center actually got started, and eventually completed at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Because of the initial visit that I had in Washington, D.C., with Congressman Lehman, he and I became very close friends (because as you know, I was a registered Republican, even then).

The Congressman was also instrumental in helping us raise the funds for Hope Lodge, which was a major residential facility for the families of cancer patients being treated at the Sylvester Cancer Center at the University of Miami.  The land on which Hope Lodge was built was controlled by Jackson Memorial Hospital.  The land was donated by the Public Health Trust, so that Hope Lodge could be built within a short walking distance from the Sylvester Cancer Center at Jackson.  This was all accomplished because of the dedication and efforts of Barbara Weintraub and the Florida Cancer Society, where she contributed her time and effort. I thought a little more informative history would be of value to you, since I doubt very many people, if anyone, will even remember the difficult times the Public Health Trust had in those early years, in order to build a Level 1 Trauma Center, as a part of the Jackson Memorial Hospital facility. As always, I read with interest your Watchdog Report, since in fact it does provide people, who are interested in what is happening in Miami-Dade County, information they could not get from any other source.

Stanley G. Tate

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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 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.

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>>> 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

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 >>> 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.

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