Tag Archives: Broward County Commission

Intimidation Game 2.0: Children’s Museum Artist Files Copyright Claim To Hide Raunchy Videos From Broward Commissioners

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Former Broward County Judge Jay Spechler appears to be using his daughter to fight his battles with the Broward County Commission over raunchy videos involving his wife Mindy Shrago. Spechler’s wife is the co-founder/executive director of the Young At Art (YAA) children’s museum in Davie. The taxpayer-funded museum is trying to work out a new financial arrangement with Broward County.

The ongoing negotiations were jeopardized after REDBROWARD posted videos of Shrago cavorting with topless women at a strange pro-Bernie Sanders party. One of the topless women in the video is Spechler’s daughter Ali Shrago Spechler. According to a scathing report from an outside consultant, Ali Shrago Spechler and her brother Zack Shrago Spechler were paid by Young At Art. The consultant stated these payments were made without the knowledge of the Broward County Commission.

Yesterday, REDBROWARD reported Broward County Commissioner Lois Wexler plans on reviewing the videos with the County Administrator Bertha Henry and County Attorney Joni Armstrong Coffey. Wexler has demanded swift action on the YAA matter. Two weeks ago, Wexler wondered if YAA was “playing games” in negotiations with the County. She asked why the amended contract, which was due in July, had not been presented to the Commission. County Administrator Henry said YAA officials blamed the delay on board member vacations.

“Is the ultimate goal to wait until I am out of office? Because that’s exactly–I thought that was–That has been the goal for the last year,” Wexler asked. “And if this is a game that is being played it’s time to call their bluff. This is something that has been going on way, way, way too long.”

Hours after the story was posted, Ali Shrago Spechler removed the topless videos from YouTube. Last evening, YouTube informed REDBROWARD the clips of the videos included in our reports had been pulled down as well. Ali Shrago Spechler made a copyright claim on the videos she posted. REDBROWARD intends to contest YouTube’s decision.

Several legal observers believe the copyright claim is a bald-faced attempt to keep the videos from being seen by County officials and the public. Images, screen captures and videos have been previously provided to Broward lawmakers.

This is not the first time Jay Spechler appears  to have enlisted his daughter to fight his political battles.

SPECHLER’S COURTHOUSE ENEMIES GET THEIR OWN WET-SHIRT VIDEOS

Over a year ago, Ali Shrago Spechler posted videos mocking her father’s courthouse enemies. In 2008, then Judge Jay Spechler resigned after Chief Judge Victor Tobin banned him from the courthouse. ”He was reassigned to his car, essentially. He didn’t like it,” one judge is anonymously quoted saying. The Daily Business Review reported, “Spechler’s reassignment came after he got into a verbal altercation with fellow County Court Judge Peggy Gehl and made disparaging comments about her sexual orientation.” Spechler filed a lawsuit against Tobin for defamation.

While the lawsuits may not have been successful, Spechler’s enemies were mocked in another strange video featuring his daughter.

In a YouTube video posted in April 2015, Ali Shrago Spechler appears as “Esther.” Accompanied by an accordion, she tells the cheering crowd  a story about “lies,” “redemption,” and “titties.” The crowd lustily boos each time Shrago Spechler mentions Chief Judge Tobin and Judge Lee Seidman. She calls Tobin a “schmuck” while Seidman is his “evil sidekick.”

She claims Tobin tried to take away the humanity from the “surfer” (Jay Spechler). “Fuck Lee Seidman,” says Ali Shrago Spechler. She says her father’s enemies are “drunk with power, hate and rage.”

The strange political passion play comes complete with life-sized puppets of Tobin, Seidman and Jay Spechler. Some of this same work has been displayed at YAA venues. These appear to be the work of Ali Shrago Spechler.

She concludes the video by saying Tobin has declared martial law and ordered all women to partake in a wet t-shirt contest. Shrago Spechler then takes off her dress and water guns soak her shirt.

Broward County Government To Review Growing Young At Art Scandal

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The leaders of Broward County government will review the growing scandal at the Young At Art (YAA) children’s museum in Davie. Over the last week, REDBROWARD exposed questionable videos involving YAA founder Mindy Shrago and topless women whacking Donald Trump pinatas and a risque “peep show” sponsored by the museum. Curated by Shrago’s son Zack Spechler, the peep show exhibit allowed children to view naked men and women involved in sex acts.

Yesterday, an email sent to YAA sponsors, officials and the media urged leaders to remove Shrago from her role as YAA executive director. The “Protect Young At Art” email was addressed to YAA Board Chairman David Di Pietro and other board members. “I would normally be inclined to pen this correspondence in my own name but after reading the recent article in Red Broward about how those who oppose you and Ms. Shrago’s husband, Mr. Spechler, for the protection of my family I will remain anonymous,” the email began. The author applauded Shrago’s original vision which started at a Plantation shopping center. “Unfortunately, while Ms. Shrago was a visionary in creating Young at Art, life cannot be all play. The time comes for one to mature and pay his or her debts. I have been following the saga of Young at Art since Ms. Wallman of the Sun- Sentinel broke the story a few years ago. I became keenly aware of the claims of Young at Art, specifically its claim of a need for restructuring of its debt payments because its potential donors were not inclined to donate to the government. In contrast, I find it notable that while there are concerns of donors not wanting to give to the government, the admission price is $14 for parents and children ($12 for County Residents). At that price it seems that Young at Art has prioritized its donors over the lower income families/taxpayers of Broward County who want to see the museum.”

“Outraged” by the videos, the author identifies one of the topless women in the Donald Trump videos. “I thought the topless woman looked familiar and I realized it was Ali Shrago-Spechler, daughter of Executive Director Mindy Shrago.  I further learned that Ms. Shrago-Spechler  has a permanent installation/exhibit at Young at Art. I also did a google search of Ali Shrago-Spechler , and discovered her odd, topless political videos on YouTube and her blog where there is a painting…of Ms.Shrago naked across the lap of her father, Jay Spechler.”

The email ends with a call for Di Pietro to remove Shrago. “If you and your Board are not puppets and are truly acting in the best interests of the Museum, then it is time for you and your board to ask for the resignation of Mindy Shrago. If you will not do it, I would hope that the County Commission would request this as a requirement of any loan modification. Ms. Shrago should be thanked for her vision in creating Young at Art but it is clear that she is ill-equipped to run a museum in a fiscally responsible manner free of nepotism and without the possibility of exposing children to amoral behavior.”

When contacted by REDBROWARD, Broward County Commissioner Lois Wexler said she plans on reviewing the YAA videos and the call for Shrago’s resignation with County Administrator Bertha Henry and County Attorney Joni Armstrong Coffey.

During the September 20th County Commission meeting, Commissioner Wexler wondered if YAA was “playing games” in negotiations with the County. Despite YAA failure to live up to its previous deals with the County, officials have been open to making the partnership with the museum continue. Wexler asked why the amended contract, which was due in July, had not been presented to the Commission. County Administrator Henry said YAA officials blamed the delay on board member vacations. Wexler noted that 19 board members had resigned following the scathing report from the County’s consultant; The report had singled out undisclosed payments to Zack and Ali Shrago Spechler as possible violations of YAA’s deal with the County.

“Is the ultimate goal to wait until I am out of office? Because that’s exactly–I thought that was–That has been the goal for the last year,” Wexler asked. “And if this is a game that is being played it’s time to call their bluff.”

Wexler concluded, “This is something that has been going on way, way, way too long.”

Indeed.