JUSTICE BUILDING BLOG

WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL RICHARD E GERSTEIN JUSTICE BUILDING BLOG. THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO JUSTICE BUILDING RUMOR, HUMOR, AND A DISCUSSION ABOUT AND BETWEEN THE JUDGES, LAWYERS AND THE DEDICATED SUPPORT STAFF, CLERKS, COURT REPORTERS, AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WHO LABOR IN THE WORLD OF MIAMI'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE. POST YOUR COMMENTS, OR SEND RUMPOLE A PRIVATE EMAIL AT HOWARDROARK21@GMAIL.COM. Winner of the prestigious Cushing Left Anterior Descending Artery Award.

Tuesday, July 03, 2012

A SAINT IN THE CITY

I had skin like leather and the diamond-hard look of a cobra 
I was born blue and weathered but I burst just like a supernova 
I could walk like Brando right into the sun 
Then dance just like a Casanova 
With my blackjack and jacket and hair slicked sweet 
Silver star studs on my duds like a Harley in heat 
When I strut down the street I could feel its heartbeat 
The sisters fell back and said "Don't that man look pretty" 
The cripple on the corner cried out "Nickels for your pity" 
Them downtown boys sure talk gritty 
It's so hard to be a saint in the city ....

It's Hard To Be A Saint in The City, Bruce Springsteen, Greetings From Asbury Park, 1975. 


It's also hard to be a saint on the reservation... or when representing the reservation as this RICO civil lawsuit alleges.  The lawsuit hits Mike Tein, Guy Lewis, Dexter Lehtinen, Chairman Billy Cypress and Morgan Stanley with participating in fraud to steal well over twenty million dollars from the Miccosukee Nation. $2,000.00/per hour legal fees; hundred thousand dollar Las Vegas junkets are just some of the blockbuster allegations in the lawsuit. It's not often TWO former US Attorneys are named as co-conspirators in one lawsuit. 

RICO WAMPUM

48 comments:

Anonymous said...

Give the guys the benefit of the doubt.

But, man oh man. This could tie them up for years and shut down their practices.

Maybe they will sign up for the wheel.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

That is one heck of a lawsuit. Mr. Roman is going to be very busy for the next couple of years.

$26 Million Dollars is a lot of gambling money.

Cap Out ...

Anonymous said...

RICO as to the lawyers? That is going to be too much of a stretch.

And this: You'll notice that the lawyers AREN'T sued for malpractice -- that's telling.

Ask yourself why that is.

Anonymous said...

Ouch! Sure does claim that Lewis &Tein are crooks ... not much of a stretch. Let's hope the suit is successful and that the Bar is watching.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE said...

THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY !!!!!

THE WISDOM OF OUR FOUNDERS

"It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shows, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more." --John Adams, speaking of the Declaration of Independence

"This was the object of the Declaration of Independence. Not to find out new principles, or new arguments, never before thought of, not merely to say things which had never been said before; but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we are compelled to take." --Thomas Jefferson

"All that I have, and all that I am and all that I hope to be in life I am now ready to stake upon it; and I leave off as I began, that live or die, survive or perish, I am for the declaration." --John Adams at the signing of the Declaration of Independence

"In Europe, charters of liberty have been granted by power. America has set the example ... of charters of power granted by liberty. This revolution in the practice of the world, may, with an honest praise, be pronounced the most triumphant epoch of its history, and the most consoling presage of its happiness." --James Madison

"Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" --Patrick Henry

"[I]t is a common observation here that our cause is the cause of all mankind, and that we are fighting for their liberty in defending our own." --Benjamin Franklin

"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it." --Thomas Paine

"[T]he flames kindled on the 4 of July 1776, have spread over too much of the globe to be extinguished by the feeble engines of despotism; on the contrary, they will consume these engines and all who work them." --Thomas Jefferson

"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death."

--Thomas Paine


CAPTAIN OUT .....

Anonymous said...

There are some lawyers worth 2,000 an hour. Others should only get 730 for the entire case.

Anonymous said...

The real eye opener here is that Lewis was forced out of his government job for billing fraud. That little excreting is now out of the bag.

Anonymous said...

The tribe has sued Lewis & Tein for malpractice in state court.

Anonymous said...

Lets see- Tein and Lewis charged the Miccosukee's 3 mil for a car accident. Hopefully they hire law firms who have similar reasonable billing practices for their own cases.

Karma Kramer- right Rump?

Teddy KGB said...

Lewis and Tein-

Hanging around....hanging around. The kids have alligator blood.....

Anonymous said...

Which one calls the Q?

Which one calls the "Miccosukee lawsuit defense team"? $79 down- $79 a month for all your indian legal problems.

Scott Saul said...

Looking beyond the merits of the legal claims...what a bunch of assholes!

Anonymous said...

Rumpole- HRH the Prince of Wales has suggested several times recently that upon assumption to the throne he might move his court to Windsor. Your thoughts?

Anonymous said...

Lewis and Tein are done.

Couldn't have happened to better people.

Tein is an asshole and Lewis is a sleazeball.

Anonymous said...

Rumpole,

I hope you have figured out the identity of the author of South Florida Lawyers blog. It took me a while but I put together the many references to Steel Hector, incl Alvin Davis and Elizabeth Dufresne, through the years, the people he praises (his friends) and the people he trashes (most recently Bernie Roman). Have you noticed that the SFL blog conveniently does not cover the Lewis Tein matters (Dresnick case, state and federal court lawsuits alleging their $10 million theft against their former client, the Miccosukee Tribe)-- of course, these are civil cases that make the front page of The Herald but are not important to the SFL blog. I also noticed how the Southern District of Florida blog doesn't cover much of this and that's because of the close personal relationship between David Markus and the SFL author. Now the SFL blog trashes Rumpole because you have the nerve to post about these matters.

Put it all together and what do you have?

I'll let you guess but the initials of the author of the SFL blog IMHO are M.T.

Now let's talk about this.

Rumpole said...

I am totally against such a move. London is the throne and the throne is London. George VI and his family stayed in Buckingham Palace during the blitz. London is the soul of the Monarchy. Lest we forget, the royalty in France moved to Versailles and were literally dragged back to Paris.
With all due respect to HRH, the throne and his court stays in London.

Anonymous said...

Dexter consulted with the Q

Anonymous said...

Remember. Lewis pulled the same stunt when he charged BSO $600 plus an hour while really representing Ken Jenne. I was very surprised he got away with that.

Anonymous said...

The other lawyers that work for this firm have top caliber pedigrees. You have to wonder how long they will stick around. Being connected with this firm ain't exactly a resume enhancer in this town. And you also have to wonder if the money spigot is drying up.

Fake Kenny W said...

A distinguished esquire today conducts himself or herself in a manner befitting their profession. Hot dogs and roasted marshmellows are consumed with fork and knife An ascot compliments the tailored shorts and shirt. Gin is enjoyed with a bracing tonic and lime.

Grey Tesh said...

Nobody knows all the facts. I don't know the lawyers personally, but these are merely allegations. Civil allegations. We should build each other up, not tear each other down. Jumping to conclusions without knowing all the facts is dangerous.

There is a bit of jealously in the comments. "They make more money than the rest of us." $10 million in legal fees over the course of a few years (paragraph 54 of the complaint). Not bad for the lawyers.

When we see other lawyers more successful than us, we should think good for them. What are they doing better than us? How can we learn from them? How can we improve?

In short, por favor, no knee jerk reactions to allegations and don't be a hater.

Now, back to my grill. Happy 4th.

Grey Tesh

Anonymous said...

11:42 pm - why aren't the attys being sued for malpractice?

George Costanza said...

I use a knife and fork whilst consuming a candy bar. I ate a snicker's for lunch and a three mousketeer for dinner yesterday.

Fake Kenny W said...

Good for you George. I find a distressing trend amongst my profession to swill beer, grab chips by the handful while stumbling around in rendered garments- torn shirts. Ripped shorts, and flip flops. A lawyer should always be dressed and presentable for clients, even while recreating. Table manners are always needed but sadly lacking. A cookie does not need to crumble upon ones shirt.

Anonymous said...

M.T.= Michael Tein

I agree. Tein is the guy behind South Florida Lawyers blog.

Anonymous said...

Good morning. In less than an hour, aircrafts from here will join others from around the world. And you will be launching the largest aerial battle in this history of mankind.

Mankind -- that word should have new meaning for all of us today.

We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore.

We will be united in our common interests.

Perhaps its fate that today is the 4th of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom, not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution -- but from annihilation.

We're fighting for our right to live, to exist.

And should we win the day, the 4th of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when the world declared in one voice:

"We will not go quietly into the night!

We will not vanish without a fight!

We're going to live on!

We're going to survive!"

Today, we celebrate our Independence Day!

Anonymous said...

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating contest. Disgusting.

Anonymous said...

Why should I "feel good" for these guys? Does the fact that they make more money than me due to swindling their Indian clients in the same manner that "Casino Jack" Abromoff ripped off his Indian client make them "more successful than us?" The fact that their own clients have now sued them for millions of dollars definately puts that conclusion into question. I have a right to slam these guys because it is greedy, unethical lawyers like them who make the rest of us look like scumbags to the general public.

Holdem hal said...

Im at the WSOP and was on the rail last night when Sam Tricket nailed quad 3's on the river to knock out Brian Rast and his nut flush in the one million one drop buy in. Unreal.

Anonymous said...

Rump, I told Senator Gwen Margolis, who is on the Courts Budget Committee, that "SB 1960 is a bad bill" today. I then spoke to State Rep. "Joe" Gibbons, and asked him what he thought of the bill. He said "he was not familiar with it and to explain it simply". I responded that the bill paid a flat fee for Attorney's on a limited registry list". He replied "that's a bullshit bill it needs to be repealed." Senator Margolis didn't seem to think the bill was bad, or think that there was any dissatisfaction or grievance's from the legal community. So I spoke to her Legislative assistant whom which I know from a college friend who now works for the AFSCME International and I explained very plainly to him that, Mrs.Margolis needed to recognize that, that is a very bad and questionably close to unconstitutional bill. My point is this, they "aint" feeling any backlash at any considerable volume, so you guys instead of arguing and pitty patting on this blog need to make haste, and let your voices be heard. Hell when did white folks become complacent, save that for us, don't tell me you all are going to sit back and let the republicans make you join the ranks of the ostracized, marginalized, and disenfranchised, clients you represent. Get off your duffs and flood the phone lines and emails. Don't join the limited registry, the legislators apparently think it's honky dory.

Anonymous said...

Now, back to my 4th of July Porter House,1 1/2" thick, Medium well, with Lea & Pearin's Worcestershire and sauteed vidalia onions. With a side of Broccoli and garlic mashed potatoes.

Anonymous said...

Rump, David Markus & SFL belong to a blogger gang. I hear membership is limited. Any new members will be subject to auditing by I, Scientologist leader David Miscavige.

Fake David Miscavige.

Anonymous said...

Grey:

I agree. We should not tear other lawyers down just for the hell of it. And these are just allegations in a civil complaint. BUT I have personally seen these guys rip people off by promising things that they cannot deliver ... and then draw the matter out to earn more fees. These two are scumbags, plain and simple and I hope they get what is coming to them.

Anonymous said...

@6:15---- does that mean everyone connected to Rump, David Markus & SFL are Scientologists?

Rumpole said...

If anyone needs a very good used emeter- shoot me an email. I have three and of course only use one. Also I have a backup hardcover of Dianetics for sale. In fair used condition.

DS said...

AM
bravo for talking to Gwen, she is an Old family friend. I prefer Rib-Eyes, but you are right on the Lea & Perrin's.
DS

South Florida Lawyers said...

Rump, I've got an old orgone accumulator -- slightly used.

(Ok, it's been used a lot.)

Anonymous said...

This is one of the more amazing trails of jealousy and stupidity ever. Because it is in a lawsuit, it must be correct. Does that apply, you dumb asses, to informations filed by the state or arrest forms quoted in pleadings?
The real question that should be asked is this: Who is ghost-writing for Bernie Roman? Why won't Bernie answer the phone? What will happen to Bernie when he brings this third rate soap opera to federal court?
It would really be nice if the authors of this blog would not allow any ad hominem attacks against any individuals unless the author is identified. What a group of creepy little non-achievers who vent their little spleens when stories like this run.
How many of you want to be accused of knowing how your clients spend their money? How about it, identity theft defenders or drug dealer defenders. What a sorry group!
My bet is that Bernie won't be busy for very long, at least not in federal court.
Finally, the authors of this blog who spend a lot of time writing it deserve better comments than this stuff.

By the way, I doubt that Alvin Davis has ever even read a blog. His name does not deserve to be mentioned in this intellectual sludge.

Signed Anonymous -- for fear that my reputation will suffer if people know I read this

Anonymous said...

DS -- If she is an old family friend, here is your chance to put your money where your mouth is. Explain the real world of criminal practice to her!

Anonymous said...

Now we know am is really white. No true black man would skip out on some Cajun hot sauce !

Anonymous said...

Two things-

I love when people criticize other postings for being anonymous, then don't post their own names.

DS-

Am Min only thinks he spoke to Gwen- it was a white woman on the bus that he just started speaking to. You forget Am Min is an unmedicated paranoid schizophrenic. He also thinks Donald Rumsfeld is peering in his windows at night, and that his tub foil hat is protecting him from government probing of his mind.

Signed-

Anonymous White Guy Who Am Min Will Call a Racist

Anonymous said...

Mike Tein at 10:45, for sure.

You gotta love these guys that blast anonymous posting only to do it themselves -- especially with the pathetic excuse that their "reputation would suffer if people know I read this."

Anonymous said...

10:44

I agree with you 100 percent. And the faees sound reasonable to me. You all were representing a large casino. The Cobra Duro principle applies. And the law suit sounds like a bag of shit to me. However, this case has more to do with client relations and managing expectations where big money is one the line. You all have lots to learn on this issue. Typical of long time government hacks.

Anonymous said...

Enough with the Springsteen already. Guy has been a hack for the last 20 years.

Anonymous said...

D.S., now you've created a dilemma, the marginalization in ribeye steaks, are phenomenal.I'm with 10:55pm, Talk to Gwen elaborate to her, and urge her to repeal SB 1960.

11:17 pm, Good observation very funny, yes I'm a black guy that prefers worcestershire over hot sauce. Not common,lol.

7/5,8:48am, I spoke with Gwen, as a matter of fact, the first time I met her was at the capitol in Tallahassee, while lobbying. Her staff was there as well.Rumsfield already contributed to the patriot act, so why be alarmed now, they've been listening for quite sometime, but nothing here to listen to, besides your rights and mine being violated in the name of "Homeland Security, oh well.

Anonymous said...

8:48am btw, She had on all white and a short length cut. Very nice lady but I'm not sure if she is still apt to take on the many fluctuating, and diverse changes and needs of her district. What's your opinion?

Anonymous said...

Marblalization of the ribeye, clearly a mistake. I'm referring to the fat to leanness content ratio, which flavors the meat.Had to clarify that before someone calls me a "moron".

Anonymous said...

My opinion is that you don't know your ass from your elbow.

Seriously, do you just sit at home and Wikipedia what other people are commenting about, so you can make it seem like you are not a complete outsider?


It's so pathetic.