Some people have been discussing history on the blog. Here are two great comments that went up last night.
abe laeser said...
Ah, those heady days of Watergate. A very junior prosecutor like me trying to snoop for any way 'in' to the case that brought down the President. But the real work was always at the top, with Gerstein and Carhart actually running the case, the facts + law in a very hands-on manner. Marty Dardis had all of the skills of a great investigator. Real sense of reading people, street smarts, dogged tenacity, and the ability to put it together to prove a crime. None better in my years. No others really close.
Busy watching 'All the President's Men' on AMC - brings back the days when journalists were at their zenith.-- and the SAO was so small you could hardly call the structure a bureaucracy. 37 lawyers, not 300. A 'band of brothers' who knew each other's cases well enough to step into the breach.
We had 'vertical filing'. You screened your own cases, and filed only those you felt you could prove to a jury. Caseloads were LOW because if you filed garbage it was your case for trial.It must be late, I am starting to lament the 'good old days'.
On the other hand, what Gerstein and Dardis did led to the imprisonment of two Attorneys General of the United States, and the resignation of the President.There have been no such stories since -- and I hope for our country's sake, there never will be again.
For those of you new to our little world , State Attorney Richard Gerstein's chief investigator was Martin Dardis. Janet Reno's chief investigator was George "Ray" Havens.
Anonymous said...
George Ray Havens claim to fame was or, more appropriately, came as a result of his work with the then Metro Dade Public Safety Department’s Organized Crime Bureau “OCB,” a unit created by and under the supervision of Steve Bertucelli, after Wilson Purdy, a retired FBI Agent was brought in as Director of the Metro Dade Police to clean up Dade County, after the elected Sheriff was abolished.
George Ray was a lieutenant in the unit. At the time, with the perceived mandate, OCB undertook some really “intense” investigations and employed “creative” techniques.
The primary objective of the OCB unit was the County Commissioners and other County Hall personas. These individuals and their confidants and “social acquaintances” soon became the target of electronic surveillance and other covert and unconventional Ops. No one was safe, not even the girlfriends, mistresses, or escorts who often filled the political parties. (Heck if Joe Centorino had this crew with the electronics of today all his dreams would come true).
It all unraveled on E. Wilson Purdy and his crew, when several Commissioners were arrested, and some unconventional investigations were discovered. The OCB crew went running for cover, including some “associates” who were lending their talents to the unit in violation of their own agency rules by engaging in domestic tasking with their OCB buddies.
George Ray was then hired by Janet Reno to replace Martin Dardis, but George Ray was never given nor had the same latitude as Dardis had under Richard Gerstein, nor was Janet Reno of the same mind set as her predecessor. Thus, it is unfair to compare George Ray to Dardis in that regard. Oh, by the way, George Ray’s trusty confidant Wayne Black deserves honorable mention as contributing to George Ray’s professional achievements. Hell now I really feel old, but am glad I am still around to recall.
Rumpole wonders if any of the lawyers, prosecutors or defense attorneys, from those corruption cases are still around to talk about them.
Great comments. See You In Court.
When you see something that is not right, not fair, find a way to get in the way and cause trouble. Congressman John Lewis
JUSTICE BUILDING BLOG
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69 comments:
If Dardis was alive, he would have snooped out Rumpole in a Cincinnatti second.
So you mean there was corruption in the government before the Cubans?
If you're so aware that the doors are covered in pink, thank you for looking. It's Valentine's Day. And the rest of the holidays will be celebrated. Next is St. Patrick's Day, and then Easter, and so on and so on. And it's not the hot JA, it's the hot bailiff, Olga. Thank you.
--Olga
Go OLGA!!!!
Dear Mr. Anonymous Coward,
There are a handful of you as to who could be so obsessed with their bitterness against Bennett that you must keep on writing in. No matter who it is, the analysis stays the same. Hack. Amazing to me that after you all have been disgraced in just about every aspect of legal life, you still keep on showing your faces.
That's ok though, it gives the rest of us something to laugh at! So please, keep it up. It would be so boring if we didn't have anyone to make fun of anymore. See you around!
from last night:
THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:
The Circuit Court judicial races, much like the Presidential primary races, seem to be starting earlier and earlier.
This week, candidate Stephen Millan filed his papers to run in Group 63 of the Circuit Court.
The seat is presently held by Judge Jeffrey Rosinek, "The Drug Court Judge". Those in the know, know that Judge Rosinek will be retiring from the bench in 2008, and leave his seat open to newcomers.
Millan joins Migna Sanchez-Llorens, who filed in Group 63 of the Circuit Court. That seat is held by Jon Gordon.
With over 40 seats up for election in the Circuit and County Court, expect many more contested races.
CAPTAIN OUT .............
unbelievable - two of the more qualified jump in early - wonder who is next
qualified?
I think the earlier post was just gently poking fun at Judge Diaz for the Valentine days decorations on his door.
As to the Judicial elections, as a amateur strategist, I have often wondered if it is better to "stake out" a seat, or jump in at the last moment. My current thoughts are that if you are well funded and have a name, then it's better to stake out a seat, because you might be able to scare away opposition. But if you are not so situated, its better to pick you opponent then have them pick you.
Thank You El Capitan, Mr. Laeser, Olga, and others.
PS. I had great respect for Mr. Dardis, and I certainly wouldn't want him on my trail. Or Ray Havens for that matter. But you group of inspector Clouseau's are not worrying me a bit.
Horace, any comments on the 9:22 anonymous posting?
Corruption is endemic to humans, and not any particular race, or nationality. Power corrupts.
i wrote to the blog last night. i served as a judge in the past and i am very oncerned with the level of CORRUPTION in our county and something needs to be done. i have traveled to 40 different countries around the world. i read the local newspapers in these developing countries and there are pages and pages of reports of public ministers and politicians charged with stealing public funds and foreign aid set aside for the poorest of their nation. DADE county has the same problem, but no one seems to care and the enforcement response is too little. i admire public servants who give up so much to become community leaders, like judge lenny glick, joe centorino and abe laeser. they should be admired. there are so many others who deserve praise. on the other hand, there are so many CORRUPT public officials who could not make a living in the private sector and need the "extra perks" of public office to gain an advantage. ask yourself when you go to joe's stone crab on a friday for lunch, "hey why is that commissioner eating lunch with that well know lobbyist...and the lobbyist is giving his credit card for the delicious jumbo crabs that the commissioner would never spend his own money for". it is obvious that the lobbyist is asking the potlician to do them a "favor" for their paid client. a new highrise needs to be built? a zoning change for a welthy executive? usually the lunch is followed by a "campaign contribution for reelection". disgusting. how about in our own "justice" system. i am already getting high pressure calls from judges whom i have cases before asking me (telling me!) that hey need (expect)me to raise them $5000+ for their reelection campaign which is over 2 years away. what can i say? "no, you corrupt judge". of course not, because they know very well who helps and, more importantly, they know who does not. how can a client expect justice in a system like this? is this any different than a third world country that i spoke about at the beginning of my discussion. i believe that we need to finally rise up and say enough is enough. please public corruption units...act agressively and put away these corrupt public officials. honesty and integrity is essential to our civilized society. i propose that we enlist a commission made up of the likes of bobby martinez, steve chaykin, danny gelber and the like in order to come up with real guidelines for investigation, oversight and strict punishment (yes, i mean years in prison) for these criminals posing as dedicated publc servants. thank goodness for hard working and honest public servants, but they are unfortunately so rare these days! thank you for listening to me, but i feel that we can do better. all my best, a frustrated and disappointed former judge
Court Options
I know this company can now compete with Advocate for misdemeanor diversion. I just had a client recieve a letter from Court Options offering diversion. I understand how they can sit in Court during the arraignment calendars and speak to unrepresented defendants. But now they are actively soliciting represented defendants to enter into diversion?
I know they work with the SAO and obviously have access to thier local priors system. (How else would they know a person is eligible for diversion and that the arresting officer and victim agree to PTD?)
Perhaps the SAO should slow Court Options down and stop them from contacting represented defendants. I know the ASAs in court would never be encouraged by the SAO to speak to a represented defendant without their attorney present. If Court Options has access to the SAO computers and can determine if a person is eligible for diversion, why cant they also see that a defendant is represented and NOT actively solicit them for profit. Last time I checked diversion is an offer from the State for a Defendant to give up very important constitutional rights. This should be done in open court by a judge for unrepresented defendants or should be done between the State and the Defense. Since when does the defense attorney get cut out of the equation by a for profit company.
What sayeth the SAO?
What sayeth the robed ones?
ps: sorry about some of the typos above!
Click on the following link for an outrageous story of justice gone awry. This makes me even more convinced that we, as defense attorneys, have one of the most important jobs out there. If this story doesn't infuriate you, I don't know what will.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=wilson
1:08 - " i propose that we enlist a commission made up of the likes of bobby martinez, steve chaykin, danny gelber and the like in order to come up with real guidelines for investigation, oversight and strict punishment (yes, i mean years in prison) for these criminals posing as dedicated publc servants"
Brilliant idea! - Enlist two influence-peddlers and a politician to oversee corruption in local politics.
Where did Jason "I'm not GrAY" go?
i cant speak to the 70's, since i was in law school until 81.
but, i remember, while at the sao ray havens and his minions tapped phones of secretaries and asas to uncover sales of coke at the mjb.
they ended up busting some clericals and some asas in the parking garage. the only name i recall being implicated was arthur calvin.
when it was uncovered that ray was tapping asa's phones drug deals many an asa was nervous. so, their drug purchases had to be arranged via their motorola t-1000 car phones.
..or we communicated in semaphore or sometimes using Navajo sounds.
There was actually a crack salesman working a cart in conjunction with a hot dog vendor.
Then there is the one about Brummer making a closing argument in a death case...
1:41 that story is unbe-freakin-lievable... lord knows how many of us are guilty of that "offense" and out here bragging about it ten years later... should've never taped it buddy!!!!poor guy
It is a disgrace that Milian could sit in a seat held by Judge Rosineck. Milan needs to go back north of the border to the good ole USA where he can continue to...
to 3:05 PM
THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:
The individual who has filed to run in Rosinek's seat is not Al "hit me in the elevator" Millan; it is Stephen Millan, an attorney from Miami who lost a County Court race to Judge Karen Mills Francis.
Also, now there are three.
In GROUP 50 of the Circuit Court, Abby Cynamon has added her name to the candidate's list. The seat is presently occupied by Judge Stuart Simons. Simons will be retiring due to age limitation in 2008. Cynamon is President of FAWL.
CAPTAIN OUT .......
Where did the anti bush/war post go from this morning. Conspiracy?
No, I held the Bush anti-war post for tomorrow when I saw the comments of Abe and others about the 70's. It will be up tomorrow morning.
I know about the story of that young man in Georgia. I will do a post about it. Tragic. I have represented dozens of young men in his position, and they all received probation at worst.
There used to be a group of us in the SAO who had members in a special club. You got into the club when you were read your Miranda rights by Ray Havens. I wasn't in the club, but I had more than a few friends who were.
Former Judge...care to send me an email and prove you are a former Judge? I promise to keep your name anonymous? I have done it for others, including sitting judges. Why just ask Judge ....woops. Almost blew it.
I remember those days. I was an intern at the SAO and remember the old vertical pre-file system. It was better than the current system and the individual prosecutors' own self-interest ensured that the weak cases were weeded out. Prosecutors had discretion and there was no top-heavy bureaucratic management. The office started going downhill in Reno's second term and accelerated to the bottom with KFR. Ahh, the good ol' days!
You have to start by getting rid of those charged with prosecuting the corrupt and that my friend is the Florida bar local office in Miami.
That will not happen because they are not elected officials.
Captain,
I thought Judge Karen Mills Francis beat The Q`s Sister for her seat.
what is a Ray Havens?
The State Attorney's office is a disgrace to public service and to justice. I am tired of stupid C prosecutors who want everyone in jail just because they want to appear tough, of B prosecutors who lie about speaking with witnesses and answer ready for trial when they are not, and of A prosecutors who don't care any more about their job because soon they'll be out of the office. I often remind prosecutors about their honorable job and about their awesome responsibility of representing "the people." I often get nothing but blank stares and rolling of the eyes. I would like, for the benefit of "the people" for the State Attorney to realize that her office is full young people with too much power and too little life experience, and do something about it.
I do not care, I hate Brummer and will write all I want as much as I want.
A coward? I think not. A smart operator who will win.
Why? My sister is there and soon I will be there too. Don't hate red, love it fool.
While we are on the corruption topic. It seems a bit odd that when you search names in the Clerk of Courts directory of Florida Bar members serving in elected positions in Dade County they seem to have a pattern of getting sued for not paying their personal financial obligations. Is that the type of character you need to get elected in this county?
Did you move here last week, or the week before?
Answer YES. It is actually mandated in election forms
I just heard the the Q will be handling the bar investigation of art koch as well as war crimes trials in gitmo.
fear the Q.
respect the Q.
not sure about the Q's sister, though.
That fucking Milian is back at it again.
He is mean, punches people and has no business being a public servant.
I hope he never gets elected anything other than dog catcher.
Well, 6:56, I'm tired of lazy, dishonest criminal defense attorneys who answer ready for trial when they have not taken depos, when they have not filed pre-trial motions. I'm sick of whiney criminal defense attorneys who always ask for PTI because their clients have "immigration issues." If a defendant is not a US citizen and s/he commits a crime, why on earth should I help her/him to continue living in this country? Why on earth would anyone want her/him to continue to live here?
Here is my albeit limited view of the SAO: everyone keeps leaving at 3 years and 1 day. I keep having this experience of working something out, or trying a case and making friends with an ASA and then a month later I see them carrying a briefcase in court, having left the SAO. yes money is part of it, but the very first thing they tell me, before the money issue, is how utterly miserable they were. Without revealing if I ever was an ASA, in my early years, people enjoyed themselves at the SAO. Made good friends. It was almost like a Band Of Brothers that Mr. Laeser talked about.
Say what you want about the administrators at the PDs office, but I do not see the same dissatisfaction with their job that I see in the young ASAs. This is a problem. Mr. Laeser, who reads this blog, would do well to pass this problem on to the powers that be at the SAO. It does no one any good when a talented lawyer leaves after 3 years and 1 day.
PS. I do not see how a vertical filing system would ever work with the amount of cases the SAO now handles.
PSS. "albeit" is one of those words that does not follow the I before E except after C rule. "Weird." OOOOppps. There's another one.
Is the Q single? Handsome, successful lawyer...suprised he isn't after some young ASA or APD.
I'm not sure I really want to know the answer to this, but I'll ask anyway: who is the Q? We never see him in felony-land so he remains a mystery to those of us in the big leagues.
Who is that Federal Judge who apparently has such severe problems at home that they can't stop making allusions to divorce from the bench? kinda sad.
The Milian running in Judge Rosinek's slot is not the former prosecutor from Broward. But that could change.
That former judge upset at corruption? Picks up a load a checks for judges at Joes, The Forge, Christys.
Love among some new members of the bench? wouldn't be surprised to see some shocking new real soon.
Is the CORRUPTION topic not one that causes outrage among us? does the public corruption units of the sao and the us atty. do enough. is it just me that sees it as out of control? was roy gelber the last corrupt judge? who was the last public official tried to a guilty verdict in this town? can't even name one other then a low level agency employee? that is my point. do you feel comfortable when a sitting judge personally asks you for financial contributions to his or her campaign? can you say "no" and ever feel like you will be treated fair or do you feel extorted? Rumpole, help us out here.
Even State Attorney Gerstein was alleged to be one of the most corrupt politicians ever....now, they name a building after him and an honest judge like Henry Leyte Vidal or Manny Crespo (with total integrity) can't even get recognition for their sacrifice into public service. Rumpole, how do you deal with these "schnurer""goniff" sitting Judges who extort you into giving them money for their "campaign war chest"?
As corrupt as the judicial system is today, can you imagine what it was like in the 60's, 70's and 80's? Bags of drug money, criminals with the uniform of police officers, etc. Judge Harvey Shenberg, a great guy other than being corrupt, is getting out of federal prison in just 6 months!
Which young pup ASA testified for Harvey Shenberg at the trial and was fired as a result?
wasnt it asa adam neijna??
no, i think it was asa gene sauls.
To 8:46. Genius child, the immigrants that you talk about are the ones that clean, cook, serve, and do many other jobs that keep your economy going. Some have been living in the US for years, have paid taxes, have American US citiznes, and have contributed to your country in more ways that you probably have. I assume that you, like most Americans, are not native American, in which case, were not ancestors immigrants also?
It was asa dan lurvy. Wasn't fired though.
The Public Defendar Said:
The State Attorney's office is a disgrace to public service and to justice. I am tired of stupid C prosecutors who want everyone in jail just because they want to appear tough, of B prosecutors who lie about speaking with witnesses and answer ready for trial when they are not, and of A prosecutors who don't care any more about their job because soon they'll be out of the office. I often remind prosecutors about their honorable job and about their awesome responsibility of representing "the people." I often get nothing but blank stares and rolling of the eyes. I would like, for the benefit of "the people" for the State Attorney to realize that her office is full young people with too much power and too little life experience, and do something about it.
----------------------
The State ASA Prosecutor Said:
I'm tired of lazy, dishonest criminal defense attorneys who answer ready for trial when they have not taken depos, when they have not filed pre-trial motions. I'm sick of whiney criminal defense attorneys who always ask for PTI because their clients have "immigration issues." If a defendant is not a US citizen and s/he commits a crime, why on earth should I help her/him to continue living in this country? Why on earth would anyone want her/him to continue to live here?
------------------
And as always the Public Defender gets the last word and Said:
Genius child, the immigrants that you talk about are the ones that clean, cook, serve, and do many other jobs that keep your economy going. Some have been living in the US for years, have paid taxes, have American US citiznes, and have contributed to your country in more ways that you probably have. I assume that you, like most Americans, are not native American, in which case, were not ancestors immigrants also?
----------------------
Not really sure who won this argument?
10:51.....way to miss the point and make it personal. He didn't say that he was against immigration. He said that he didn't want criminals here. Big difference. Try sticking to the point.
Actually, a vertical system of filing & prosecuting cases would work better at the SAO as an "eat what you kill" mentality would help to weed out the weak cases. Now if they could only keep the ASA's long enough for them to actually stay in the office from filing to resolution...
Rump, please consider banning even steven. He adds NOTHING to any discussion and sounds like som South Beach queen(r).
Make that a poll ques.
By reading the historical accounts on the blog, one may want to associate it with a History Teacher of sorts who has been around for quite a bit. After much research, I discovered that Judge Rosinek was a History Teacher, was involved in Democrat Politics and has been around for a while. He also has a good book collection in Chamber.
If anyone out there knows anything else and/or thinks I am write, I would love to read it on this blog.
Al Millian will never be elected to Public Office in South Florida or anyone who he's helping. The community hates him and Fernadnez-Rundle can't stand him. She even made many alliances with different people who you would not believe to defeat him. I wont even talk about the PBA's hate for him as you all know.
Al, if you are reading this, let me tell you. YOU ARE SCREWED AS WELL AS NOT LIKED!
I thought the PBA endorsed/liked Al?
Who is Al Millian? Is he Steve Millian's Brother?
B. H. Brummer for Strong Mayor of Miami-Dade County in 2008!
No. Millian and Millan are obviuously not related.
It's Al M-i-l-i-a-n and Steve M-i-l-l-a-n
STEVE MILLAN (with 2 LL's and 1 I)! He is completely different than AL M-I-L-I-A-N!
Steve is a former ASA,but has been private for more than 8 years...His brother is KEVIN MILLAN-Miami Beach Police Officer who does a TON of DUI's and specializes in Traffic Homicides. Steve's sister-in-law is a former ASA and now practices criminal/immigration law; she defends the immigrants in South Florida from the bad DHS (Dept. of Homeland Security). Steve is very qualified to be a judge, he just picked a well-liked judge to run against in the prior county court race. Dont confuse Steve with Al...there's NO COMPARISON! Al Milian is a piece of crap! There's no family relationship between those two at all!
Isn't Al Milian running for Judge though? Do you think he may want to ride on Steve Millan's name to get elected? On the PBA issue, how does it relate? I heard about this Al guy, but cannot picture him. Anyone have any pictures they can post? Also, does he practice Criminal Law? Lastly, why is he talked about in this blog? I never seen or really heard of him. If I have, I cannot recall why and for what.
Thanks and sorry to sound slow on this matter. I just want to be up to date and prepared.
you said "Dont confuse Steve with Al...there's NO COMPARISON! Al Milian is a piece of crap!"
I guess you do not know Al Milian! He is a great guy also.
"Isn't Al Milian running for Judge though? Do you think he may want to ride on Steve Millan's name to get elected?"
Someone desperately needs a Herald subscription, and fast.
Hello! Did you not read, "Al Milian is a piece of crap!"
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