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.

Monday, February 12, 2007

CHILD CARE

This post is simple and to the point.

The REGJB needs a child care facility. We suggest the area once occupied by the legal library.

The building is crowded and gets more crowded everyday.

Child care for the most affluent attorneys and judges among us is difficult at best.
Child care for those facing tough times, and for those who have loved ones incarcerated is next to impossible. Even for parents of young children who have less serious court appearances, it can be stressful and difficult to have to worry about a case and a child.

Children are our most precious asset.

If we want to break the circle of incarceration and recidivism, the time to start is now.

No child should have to see their parent in trouble before a judge.

Our building has the room to accommodate a playroom and safe space for children.

There are several ways to pay for such a facility and service.

We're guessing 100K a year should cover three part time staff people and toys, but not rent. Insurance could raise the budget some more. A third of that could be raised by charging a few dollars an hour. A third could be raised through charitable donations by attorneys and discretionary court fines. And we need to find a way to pay the final third.

The point is, the building needs child care.

Let’s get it done.


The eyes of Florida are upon our building during the trial this week of the man accused of murdering a young girl. Perhaps there is no better time for us to demonstrate our dedication to the children in our community.

PS: No judges have taken up our offer for a Sunday Blog spot. Anyone else interested?

51 comments:

Anonymous said...

just what we need, a bunch of monkeys running around in the old law library. you, sir are losing your mind.

Anonymous said...

MONKEYS? REALLY SIR OR MADAM!

Anonymous said...

the term "monkeys" is merely a euphemism for the wild and intamed children who will occupy the facility.

lighten up, frances. (though i'm sure the overly sensitive among us will see that as a racist remark).

Anonymous said...

ask Howard Cossell where that line got him.

Anonymous said...

Frances? Who the hell are you talking to Moron?

Anonymous said...

Speak for yourself, Rump. My money is my most precious asset.

Anonymous said...

Rump, you are way off on this one. Can you imagine:

MOM: I want to leave my baby with you, I have Court.

WORKER: When will you be back?

MOM: One Hour, it is only a report.

Flash to Judge _____'s courtroom

ASA: Judge, this case should not be continued any longer, we have information that the defendant is still using drugs.

JUDGE: Ma'am, you are going to be tested today, sit in the back and wait.

PD: Uh, wait judge, you can't do that...I am not sure why, but you can't.

MOM: I'm clean, ain't no thing.

[Flash Forward 20 minutes]

BAILIFF: Judge, the Defendant came up positive for Marijuana...

DEFENDANT: I was in a car with...

BAILIFF: Cocaine...

DEFENDANT: I gave my boyfreind oral sex and he uses...

BAILIFF: Opiats...

DEFENDANT: I have a perscription...

JUDGE: Take the defendnat into custody, bond revoked, trial set for next C week, continuance granted.

[14 hours later at REG Child Care]

DCF: Wow, this is only the third kid we have had to pick up today, it has been slow lately.

Anonymous said...

sorry about that rump my cuban coffee got the best of me.

the link to the herald story on the promoter is here:

http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:UbRo8B7etIYJ:www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/15320494.ht

Someone asked (on the former post) what makes the story different now from when it came out months ago. Answer read the below post from 6:17 reprinted below with links to recent court documents that provide more details on this amazing elaborate scam not included in the Herald piece.

Plus what caught my attention was two things: (1.) the lawyers representing the promoter scared the Herald with a threat to file a libel action for what they printed and (2.) the amount of money that all the attorneys involved (from the bank to the appointed receiver) are collecting by dragging the case on. Eventually leaving the investors with 50 cents on the dollar.

More important why no arrest?

A 400 MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR SCAM ON MIAMI BEACH AND NO ARREST?

The Miami Herald did a small piece back in September 2006, on the 400 million dollar scam and after the crooks attorney wrote the Herald asking for a retraction the Miami Herald went into hiding. The Miami New Times is also in hiding on this fascinating scam that scammed thousands upon thousands of investors all over the United States. Now two of the biggest law firms in Miami, Florida are cashing in on the prize. Yep, billing millions in legal fees to over see the assets while the investors sit back waiting for 50 cents on the dollar. Has the crook behind the scam been arrested? No. The Federal court has actually given him a $10,000.00 per moth allowance (he wanted $15-K).

In one scam the crook out of Miami Beach, sold Barbara Steisand and Elton John concerts to thousands of Missouri investors and pocketed millions of dollars when no concerts ever existed. After the Missouri SEC went after the guy he quickly paid off the investors with money from investors in other states. Pyramid scam. The State of Wisconsin and Michigan also issued injunctions against him from selling illegal securities. Did he stop? NO.

For a quick review of the facts go here:

http://www.entertainmentgroupinfo.com/images/Julyreport1.pdf

In 1998, he incorporated a company in Delaware “Worldwide Entertainment, Inc.”, conspired with a few friends out of Louisiana who opened a phony IRA company for retired Air-Line Pilots. Now that phony company hires agents to sell IRA’s to the pilots and in re-turn WWE issues a worthless promissory note to the phony IRA company WWE pockets the IRA money.

In January 2006 his buddies in Louisiana file suit against him because he is no longer paying them a percentage of the scammed money. About 3-months later the SEC catches wind of the lawsuit and sues everybody and gets the Federal Court to appoint a receiver. Oh read the full story at the links so much more to this.

Why no arrest?

The law firm of Greenberg & Taurig representing the crooks in Louisiana and a former employed lawyer for Greenberg & Taurig representing the main Miami Beach crook. The Akerman law firm was appointed the receiver of the property and cash in the original suit brought by the Louisiana crooks. Now comes the SEC they file suit and appointment of receiver and allowed Akerman to remain the receiver. Was that a wise choice? Millions of dollars in cash and property over 400 million dollars in the treasure chest.

Something just does not pass the smell test. Maybe its just me. Again why no arrest?

Read more here:

http://www.entertainmentgroupinfo.com/courtorders.htm

Comments please. Ms. Nesmith I know you did not do the original story but why has the Herald ran scared from reporting this elaborate scam. The same message to Editor Chuck Strouse of the Miami New Times. Is this because of the Millions of Dollars the crooks have available to file frivolous suits against the papers? Millions stolen from countless investors most of which was retirement money from retired Air-Line pilots.

Again why no arrest?

Anonymous said...

you are a great man rump!

Anonymous said...

The lavatory on the first floor of the REG doesn't pass the smell test, either. I move to vacate it.

And perhaps a sign outside advising people to empty their pockets and metal and go through the security check at the REG entrance.

Apparently, standing in line for 30 minutes watching people put their personal things in the basket does not cause the next person to get prepared to do the same.

I am shocked daily when people act so surprised they have to take their belt off after standing there for 30 minutes watching everyone else do it.

Anonymous said...

art monk belongs in the hall of fame. cosell called him a "little monkey". it was a play on monks name not a racial remark.

Anonymous said...

the fact that you don't know the movie line: "lighten up, francis" explains why you're uptight.

may i suggest logging onto netflix and ordering up the director's cut of stripes, starring bill murray, john candy and harold ramis. then, francis, perhaps you will "lighten up".


or better yet:

Psycho: The name's Francis Sawyer, but everybody calls me Psycho. Any of you guys call me Francis, and I'll kill you.
Leon: Ooooooh.
Psycho: You just made the list, buddy. Also, I don't like no one touching my stuff. So just keep your meathooks off. If I catch any of you guys in my stuff, I'll kill you. And I don't like nobody touching me. Any of you touch me, and I'll kill you.
Sergeant Hulka: Lighten up, Francis.

Anonymous said...

Great, just what we need a lawsuit machine. Imagine how many tax dollars will be spent paying damages to felons children for: Injuries, neglect, molestation, abuse, lack of medical care, and /or discrimination .

Anonymous said...

After reading the court documents in the mentioned case the question is why no arrest?

The Securities and Exchange Commission "SEC" mandates registering securities so that people do not scam investors our of millions. In the case above several States issued injunctions way back in the 90's when he started up his scam. Had he tried to get registered with the SEC he would been denied due to the actions by the State agencies.

The reason the SEC is around is to protect these poor retired pilots and others from greedy scammers like this guy.

What gets me is the amount of money he illegally scammed and after seizing the property and cash the Court allows him a $10-K monthly allowance (he wanted $15-K). The SEC stopped payment of the $10-K last year and he has the nerve to seek a hearing before the Federal Judge demanding it be put back in place.

The guy is still living in the $2-million dollar condo in the Portifino Towers on South Beach, as I write this. The SEC does have a lien on the property.

The moral of the story is go out collect illegal securities and scam thousands of investors out of millions over 7 years use the money for a lavish lifestyle, do not report your taxes correctly and when you get busted do not worry you will get a $10-K mothly check out of the scammed money and can still live in the $2 million dollar 37th floor condo for FREE while we litigate the whole matter. As a side bonus you will not be arrested a year after we busted you.

Only in America.

Anonymous said...

Who will pay for the medical bills when some kid falls + breaks an arm? This is one lousy idea.

Anonymous said...

Trialmaster...you are incorrect, it wasn't Art Monk that Howard Cosell was referring to when he uttered that infamous line on MNF.

Anonymous said...

Not Art Monk -- It was Alvin Garrett. September 5, 1983. I just tell it as it is.

Anonymous said...

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Anonymous said...

child care at REG? there is no child care at JJC for the parents who appear in court or the juvenile defendants who bring their babies with them when they have a trial for strong arm robbery at school. There is a small corner in the dilipatitated building that has some ratty toys, but i assure you all of the top heavy administrators at the private providers and at OUR KIDS make at least 100k while there is no $$$$ to pay lawyers for their defense and no $$$$$ for services for the families in the communities.

Anonymous said...

It would be nice to have a child care facility for court staff, Pd's, ASA's, etc.. There would be a cost to the parents, of course, but it would be well worth it. No way to defendant's, witnesses, and the like.

Anonymous said...

5:37 Amen!

Ps. the bathrooms at the JJC is the worst in Florida court system

Anonymous said...

Rump, I think that is an excellent idea. I will talk to Stan and Sandy Lonergan about it tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

How bout this idea instead: defendants can leave their kids with someone they trust. Oh, no, what am I thinking. Then they can't bring their kids in front of the judge and beg for mercy. Sorry, stupid me.

Anonymous said...

Typical criminal defense lawyer smokes a blunt sees " Stripes" and everyone in the world is supposed to get it when he repeats a line from the movie, RETARD!

Anonymous said...

Actually, I am a prosecutor, and it wasn't a blunt that I was smoking.

Anonymous said...

blunts ruin the natural flavor. i recommend a 1 1/4 with no gumming. (you have to be an expert to keep it tight with no gum).

Anonymous said...

the JA's don't provide child care on top of other services?

Anonymous said...

Proposed New Poll: Top Five Stoner movies.

My Picks:

1)Easy Rider
2)Blow
3)Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke
4)Fast times at ridgemont high
5)Dazed and confused
5)Half Baked

Anonymous said...

Sorry I haven't been able to answer a call for answers from the Herald. I've been in jury selection in the Jessica Lunsford case.

Regarding the Utsick case, all I can say with absolute certainty is: it's not my case. It's a business story.

I honestly doubt we have been "hiding" from the story because some attorney threatened to sue us. It's too bad there aren't any civil attorneys on the blog because many of those guys have tried making those threats in the past, and found that it doesn't work. Our answer is generally, if there was an error in the story, we'll correct it, if there wasn't, truth is an absolute defense to libel, so get in line. Very few ever actually sue a newspaper (for all the threats of suits I've personally received over the years, I've never been sued).
I think a much more likely answer is I work in a financially shaky business where costs are always tight and personnel are always in short supply (thankfully the Herald hasn't laid anyone off yet, but it's happening at newspapers all over the country.) We're always trying to do more with less and we simply can't cover all the news we would like to. Often, that's the reason why we don't cover all kinds of things, despite conspiracy theories about a)the liberal commie pinko media or b) corporate sell-out mainstream media.

Hope that answers the questions. I will mention to the reporter on that story the concerns of the blog.

Now, watch for tomorrow's paper to see which potential juror in the Lunsford case is under investigation by the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office.

Susannah Nesmith
Miami Herald

Anonymous said...

I'm more concerned with the new poll. I need some time to think of my top five, but I think I will have about 3 of your top five in my group, but likely in a different order.

Anonymous said...

EARLIER TODAY I APPEARED BEFORE ONE OF OUR NEW JURISTS :THE HONORABLE JUDGE VENZER.IT WAS A PLEASURE TO APPEAR IN FRONT OF SOMEONE WHO HAS THE TEMPERAMENT AND DEMEANOR SHE EXHIBITS.

Anonymous said...

Ms. Nesmith:

Thanks for the reply. Please ask the other reporter who did the story last year to look into the recent filings of the receiver his reports are very detailing. I just can't get over the fact that Ms. Rundle or Mr. Acosta have not filed any criminal charges.

Untold millions stolen by a elaborate scam and just because he went out and used some of the money for some legit projects is no excuse for the other $200 million he used for a lavish life-style. Most if not all of that money came from retired Airline pilots through a phony Pilots Union Company they created to make it look like it was separate from his Worldwide Entertainment company and then issued pieces of paper "worthless promissory notes" to make the investors think the money was taken out of the Union phony IRA accounts was secure.

Probally two or three dozen federal and state criminal laws have been broken and yet he lives in the $2 million dollar codo paid for by the victims of this scam and to add insult to injury was getting a $10-K monthly allowance out from the money he stole. Now when the SEC last month stop the payments his counsel recently filed a motion for a order from the Federal Judge Paul Huck to order the SEC to pay him his monthly $10-K. (that takes big balls!).

Maybe its just me but I have seen people jailed for stealing fifty bucks. He stole over $400,000,000.00 (Four Hundred Million Dollars). Someone at the State Attorneys office and/or the U.S. Attorneys office needs to wake up and smell the coffee.

Side note I have no dog in this race just outrage when I read the story and the court documents and found the story unbeliable.

WHY NO ARREST?

Anonymous said...

Five Best Stoner Movies:

1. 2001: A Space Odyssey
2. Vanishing Point


umm, is that 5?

Anonymous said...

How the hell are Roy, or Jose gonna make a living if this guy isnt arrested? BY the way Robert is right venzer is way cool. not new, but cool.

Anonymous said...

6:39 a prosecutor? another symptom of a crumbling office

Anonymous said...

Rumpoles bio:

http://www.markuslaw.com/pdf/DavidMarkus.pdf

Anonymous said...

Whats all this talk about Venzer? She is the coolest Judge around and HOT!

Venzer spent many years in criminal court as a county court judge before being elevated to circuit court. Very experienced jurist.

Anonymous said...

i agree with 6:46 pm, blunts do mask the natural flavor.

the younger generation likes those mango or strawberry-flavored phillies because they can't afford the sick trees criminal defense attorneys get, so they have to mask their skunk-weed with flavorings.

as for the "lighten up, francis" quote... the film is a favorite of rumpole's and he has used that quote before. 6:39 pm: you were still spanking it to your sister's tiger beat magazines when i was at the sao. so in the immortal words of sgt. hulka :"lighten up, francis."

Anonymous said...

Best Stoner Movie Where Nobody Gets Stoned (only drunk & shot):

Shaun of the Dead

Anonymous said...

Drunk, Zombified, & then Shot

Anonymous said...

Judge P, how is the Family court? Did you get over that little thing called "judicial discretion".

50/50 and you will never lose.

Rumpole said...

My only point of reference is that I recently learned that family court has child care. If they can do it, so can we.

You know, there are a hundred reasons not to do anything: lawsuits, injury, possible problems. But it is the enlightened soul that sees the solutions not the problem. Or in the words of Ted Kennedy about his brother Bobby:

"Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say, why not."

By the way: I thought Judge Young was in Hollywood (California, not Fla.) Did I miss something?

Anonymous said...

Judge Young is still on the Court roster which is updated everytime things change by the powers that be or the Godfather of the Courts Farina.

Rumpole said...

I removed the lenghty article that was posted, for many reasons, espeically the disclaimer at the end of the story that did not allow it to be republished without permission. I suggest you post a link and summary of the story.

I don't get this attack on Ms. Nesmith, but I suggest that whomever you are, you email her and take your private dispute elsewhere. I am removing the post, as I see it to be somewhat threatening.

Rumpole said...

I put on comment moderation because somone posted a threat of sorts that I found inappropriate. I'm going to sleep, and I don't want to spend ten minutes tomorrow morning deleting a dozen posts, because I have to get up early and ....never mind. I did it because I can.

Anonymous said...

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/16684967.htm

BSO deputy is guilty of perjuryA suspended BSO deputy faces up to 20 years in prison for falsifying official reports and lying about an accident he had with a BSO patrol car.

A cop lie? No F'in way!

Anonymous said...

rump:

the idea of a child care center at regjb is a noble idea. your heart is in the right place.

and your frame of reference is a good one...a child care area at family court...where mom's (or dads) dont routinely taken into custody for bench warrants, aliases, probation violations, bond revocations and sentencings. but at regjb, its routine.

i can just see a baby's momma or baby's daddy or baby's auntie dropping off little juan, takeisha or kyle and not coming back because they got taken into custody.

who is going to pay for the health care of these kids when they get dropped off and contract god-knows-what communicable diseases from the other kids, you? (ever had a kid in day care, rump? didnt think so).

but it does have its merits. i can see teen moms dropping off their unwanted infants there and leaving them instead of drowning them, throwing them into a dumpster or having them beaten by momma's boyfriend.

like i said, rump, you're hearts in the right place though your mind may not be.

Anonymous said...

HEY ELLEN STOP WRITING ABOUT YOURSELF...AND YOU ARE NOT HOT, OKAY.

EVERYONE ELSE, GIVE HER TIME. SHE IS A BITVH WITH A CAPITAL "B"...OKAY, ALL CAPS!

Anonymous said...

"BITCH"

Anonymous said...

Ms. Venzer did not write that post I did and I am male and happen to think she is cool.

Why don't you go to the idiots r-us blog.

Anonymous said...

Fag