Tag Archives: bob norman

Lawyer On Host Committee For Judge Wannabe, Blamed Kid Victims Of Sexual Battery

Leave a reply

betsybensonforbrowardcountyjudgehostA local attorney who blamed two minors for Wilton Manors sexual assaults is on the host committee for Broward County Court hopeful Betsy Benson. Larry Davis is one of many Democrat activists on Benson’s October 8th kickoff for her campaign for the Group 13 seat. In April 2013, Davis was featured on WPLG Local 10 for his shocking comments to Wilton Manors Police detectives.

Kids In Distress (KID) CEO Mark Dhoogie and Larry Davis, a KID board member, gave a video recorded interview to Wilton Manors P.D. Detective Nick Fiacco regarding two recent sexual assaults on the KID campus.

In February 2013, Brian Fields, a KID employee, was charged with three felony counts of sexual battery on a minor ages 12-17 in his custodial care. Police allege Fields assaulted a minor on four different occassions between December 27, 2012 and January 6, 2013 “while acting as a caregiver, counciler and custodial authority.” Fields is awaiting trial.

In January 2013, Brian Denby was accused of assaulting a 13 year old and a 15 year old living on the KID campus. A therapist contacted Wilton Manors P.D. to report a sexual assault took place on January 7, 2013 at 3:45 AM. According to charging documents, a group of minors were yelling and throwing rocks at passing cars. Denby yelled at the minors to stop and started talking to them. Denby provided cigarettes to the minors. He explained he had recently left the military and lost his wife. He told the children he had not engaged in sexual activity for more than a year.

Denby stated he would get in trouble if he had sex with the minor residents of Kids In Distress. Still, he climbed the wall and engaged in sexual acts with the minors on the KID playground. Denby is awating trial on three felony counts of lewd and lascivious battery on minor age 12-16 and two felony counts of lewd and lascivious exhibition in the presence of a minor under the age of 16.

DAVIS: I KNOW THESE KIDS & I KNOW WHAT THEY’RE LIKE

On the video first aired by reporter Bob Norman on WPLG, Davis shockingly takes the side of the sexual attackers. Davis said, “I feel bad for him because I know these kids and what they are like.” Recall, Larry Davis is a board member for a taxpayer funded organization tasked with protecting sexually abused minors.

Davis even puts himself in Denby’s shoes. “I could get over that wall, especially if I saw two sweet little 15-year-olds probably playing with themselves, telling me to come over,” said Davis. “I’d have been over that wall in a heartbeat.”

Once Norman started asking questions, Davis resigned from KID. Davis admitted his remarks were “inappropriate and insensitive.”

BENSON OPPONENT IS FORMER SEX CRIMES PROSECUTOR

Making matters worse, Benson’s opponent in the County Court race is Adriana Alcalde, a former sex crimes prosecutor for the Broward State Attorney.

In a recent interview, Alcalde spoke of how her young clients inspired her to continue fighting the sexual predators in Broward County. Alcalde said she uses the DC Comics superhero Wonder Woman to show the young girls that they are the true heroes for standing up against their abusers.

THIRD STRIKE FOR BETSY BENSON?

This is not Benson’s first misstep on the campaign trail. Last month, REDBROWARD exposed how Benson’s campaign website never mentions her job as a Broward County public defender. The website gives one brief mention of her boss, Howard Finkelstein. No mention she taught public defenders for Howard Finkelstein. No mention her boss is Broward Public Defender “Help Me Howard” Finkelstein. Nada. Zip.

But when it comes to her new non-profit organization, Benson has no problem using the Public Defender’s office.

The Facebook page for the 2-4theshow.org nonprofit organization claims it is “dedicated to providing art enrichment to underprivileged children in Broward County through tickets to live events.” State records show Benson started the organization in 2014 using the Broward Public Defender’s Office address at 500 S.E 6th Street in Fort Lauderdale. Benson listed her official Public Defender’s Office email address on the State incorporation forms.

Shortly after the REDBROWARD story was published, Benson’s website was pulled down.

In July, REDBROWARD reported Benson was one of several female candidates covering their heads and faces at a Ramadan event in Sunrise. Broward Chief Judge Peter Weinstein attended the event in his normal attire. Would a sitting female judge cover her head? Would she politely decline and use the opportunity as a “teaching moment” on womens issues in the Muslim faith?

Did anybody tell Rhoda Sokoloff, Andrea Gundersen and Betsy Benson to cover their heads?

Gwyn Clarke-Reed and judicial candidate Betsy Benson

Gwyn Clarke-Reed and judicial candidate Betsy Benson

 

Broward “Political Pimp” Wants Taxpayers To Pay His Half-Million Dollar Legal Bill

1 Reply
Vicente M. Thrower

Vicente M. Thrower

The man dubbed Broward’s “political pimp” wants Pompano Beach taxpayers to pick up his nearly $500,000 legal tab. In March, the Pompano Beach Communinty Redevelopment Agency (CRA) filed suit against Vicente Thrower, the former vice chair of the Northwest CRA. Thrower is seeking $483,778.00 in legal fees stemming from his April 2010 arrest on bribery and unlawful compensation charges.

According to the Pompano Beach CRA’s lawsuit, Thrower “served as a compensated consultant to several of the development firms who appeared before the CRA.” The suit states Thrower admitted under oath he received money before and after companies appeared before the CRA. The Pompano Beach CRA claims Thrower never disclosed his business relationship with developers.

Late last year, a Broward jury found Thrower not guilty on three of the charges.

THROWER DEFENSE: NOT A PUBLIC OFFICIAL UNDER THE LAW

During the trial, attorney Michael Hursey argued Thrower was not a public official under Florida law. “Is he quote unquote a public figure? Count one to three opening the State questioned is it ok to be an advisory committee member and a paid consultant to developers who were looking for zoning changes and changing single family to multi-unit town homes?” said Hursey. “This statute argued very hard that an advisory committee member did not make a public figure. The Northwest CRA Advisory Committee are volunteers who only make recommendations to the CRA Board. They have no authority nor are their decisions binding.  They have little or no power, no salary, get zero benefit not even gas money to come to meetings.”

According to the Westside Gazette’s coverage of the Thrower trial, the jury was asked to “decide if Thrower was a public figure who accepted unlawful compensation?” The Westside Gazette reported the jury asked if NW CRA Advisory Committee members “were paid consultants.”

Now, Thrower wants the Pompano Beach CRA to pay his legal fees he incurred while serving on the NW CRA.

In the lawsuit, the Pompano Beach CRA states Thrower’s actions “did not serve a public purpose.” The suit claims the Thrower’s legal fees came as a “result of certain specific admitted conduct undertaken by Thrower while he served as a board member on the NW CRA.” Thrower’s attorney no longer claims he is not a public official.

In a letter to the Pompano Beach commission, attorney Hursey paints Thrower as a victim of false criminal charges. He writes, “Thrower just completed a very difficult 4 1/2 year journey, living under the shadow of charges which were ultimately proved false.” Hursey boasts of his own legal skills, writing, ” the legal team engaged in a tremendous court battle to obtain this great result.” He says Pompano Beach paying for the legal fees will “put Mr. Thrower on the road to restoring the enormous loss he suffered when fighting these unfounded charges.”

THROWER’S VOLUNTARY STATEMENT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT

Even though a Broward jury failed to convict him, Thrower admitted many of the details in a February 2010 sworn statement to the Broward State Attorney.

Thrower admitted working for developers with business before Pompano Beach. These developers,which included Cornerstone, Habitat For Humanity, Pompano Beach Living LLC, and Lavish Homes, paid thousands of dollars to Thrower. He never disclosed his contractual relationships.

Thrower also admitted speaking with the FBI regarding his dealings with notorious developers Bruce and Shawn Chait.

When asked if he knew the Chaits, Thrower responded, “Yes I do. That’s an ongoing investigation with the FBI. And I don’t feel comfortable answering that question right now.” After a brief recess, Thrower became more comfortable.

Thrower told prosecutor David Schulson he was introduced to the Chaits by consultant Beverly Stracher. She explained the Chaits were having difficulty setting up a meeting with former Broward County Commissioner Joe Eggelletion. Stracher wanted Thrower to arrange a meeting with Eggelletion.

Thrower received $8000 in cash to arrange a meeting between Chait and Eggelletion at the Broward County Government Center. In total, Thrower admitted to receiving $15,000 from the Chaits.

Eggelletion would later serve prison time after pleading guilty to charges related to his dealings with the Chaits.

In addition to Eggelletion, Thrower admitted to introducing Shawn Chait to former State Sen. Joe Gibbons, former Lauderdale Lakes commissioner Leyvoyd Williams and Pompano Beach Mayor Lamar Fisher.

THROWER WORRIED ABOUT BURDEN ON POMPANO BEACH TAXPAYERS

Stunningly, the man who wants Pompano Beach taxpayers to pay his half million dollar legal bill told Broward lawmakers he was worried about Pompano Beach taxpayers. At a May 6th Broward Legislative Town Hall on Police Body Cameras, Thrower lectured State Sen. Chris Smith about forcing taxpayers to pay for body cameras. Thrower claimed he was concerned about “unfunded mandates” which taxpayers would have to “suck up and pay” as part of the city’s contract with the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

LIVING THE HIGH LIFE

Even though his attorney claims Pompano Beach needs to pay his legal bills to help turn his life around, it appears Thrower is already living the high life. On social media, Thrower posts pictures of his fancy watches and his Rolls Royce Bentley.

VT1