Tag Archives: california

Broward State Attorney Wannabe Says He Wont Prosecute “Quality Of Life” Crimes

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Joseph Kimok, the “progressive” candidate for State Attorney, wants to usher in a “new generation of justice” in Broward County. Based upon his recent comments, Kimok’s radical criminal justice reform platform would keep the Broward Jail empty. Last week, Kimok told Broward Democrats it was time to discuss the decriminalization of hard drugs like crack cocaine, heroin and meth. Kimok even endorsed the legalization of “sex work.”

On Facebook, a local resident asked Kimok for specifics about his criminal justice reform plans. Kimok responded with a litany of progressive ideas like ending cash bail, mandatory minimum jail sentences and “stop-and-frisk.” Kimok said he would stop arrests for drug possession and stop seeking search warrants for drugs. Kimok criticized the death penalty and vow to reduce life without parole sentencing.

Kimok said feeling safe means “being safe from violence and being safe from police and the [criminal justice] system.”

QUALITY OF LIFE CRIMES?!?

In his Facebook response to the voter, Joseph Kimok promised to “stop charging ‘quality of life’ and poverty based crimes. What does this mean? Is this the mother stealing bread and milk from Publix to feed her kids? Is there an epidemic of these cases?

According to a left-wing organization, “The term ‘quality of life’ is thought to have first been used in a policing context in New York City in the early 90s….refers to a practice of heavily policing a number of normally non-criminal activities such as congregating and/or drinking in public spaces, as well as minor offenses such as graffiti, public urination, panhandling, littering, and unlicensed street vending in public spaces because, the argument goes, if left unchecked, they will lead to an explosion of serious crime.”

Kimok’s radical platform parrots the plans of other progressive state attorney candidates across the United States.

Last week, Chesa Boudin, a far left radical, was elected District Attorney in San Francisco. In his victory speech, Boudin mentioned “quality of life” crimes.

“We will not prosecute cases involving quality-of-life crimes,” Boudin said. “Crimes such as public camping, offering or soliciting sex, public urination, blocking a sidewalk, etc., should not and will not be prosecuted. Many of these crimes are still being prosecuted; we have a long way to go to decriminalize poverty and homelessness.”

Kimok appears to be a big fan of Chesa Boudin.

Does Joseph Kimok plan on reshaping Broward in the image of San Francisco?

What happens if drug users set up camp along Las Olas or A1A?

What if tent cities pop up along Sistrunk Blvd or Weston Road or Holmberg Road?

What if drug users shoot up heroin in the playground at the Museum of Discovery and Science?

What if drug users defecate at the entrance of the Center for Performing Arts or the Sawgrass Mills Mall?

Would Kimok accept “poverty” as a defense to all crimes?

Would State Attorney Joseph Kimok prosecute anyone in Broward County?

REDBROWARD reached out to Joe Kimok for a definition of “quality of life” and poverty based crimes. Kimok did not respond to our request for comment.

AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION (AHF) Spent More Than $53 Million On CEO Michael Weinstein’s Radical Political Causes

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According to State of California records, the non-profit AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) spent more than $53 million dollars over the last four years funding the radical political causes of its CEO, Michael Weinstein. Since 2015, AHF was the major financial backer of rent control legislation, drug price control legislation, and anti gentrification issues. AHF even funded legislation that would have made Michael Weinstein the “porn czar” of the adult movie industry.

According to POLITICO, “Under the leadership of Weinstein, AHF has morphed over more than three decades into not only a massive health care enterprise but a controversial political player that has raised eyebrows with its unusual “social enterprise” model. Weinstein was paid $432,828 in 2017, according to the organization’s tax form.” Where did AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) get all this money to fund Weinstein’s political causes?

That’s what California State Sen. Ben Hueso asked the State Attorney General to find out.

“The senator’s concerns center on a somewhat obscure federal drug discount program known as 340B, which requires pharmaceutical companies to sell their drugs at steep discounts to participating hospitals and other providers that serve a significant percentage of indigent patients.

The providers, including the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which operates more than 50 pharmacies nationwide, are then allowed to turn around and charge public programs like Medicaid and Medicare for the standard amount. The providers then use the difference to enhance staffing and provide services to help low-income patients.

But none of the savings reaped from 340B — or virtually any federal grant or funding program — can be used for lobbying or any kind of political expenses.”

Hueso believes AHF has spent more than $60 million dollars since the 2012 election cycle.

HOW MUCH IS AHF SPENDING ON “TRANTALIS TOWER”

Early this year, REDBROWARD documented Weinstein’s campaign against Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Ben Sorenson. In a series of commercials airing on WTVJ/NBC6, Sorenson is attacked over his opposition over plans by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) to build a sixteen story building dubbed “Trantalis Tower.” The massive project, featuring more than 600 micro-units, is located in Fort Lauderdale District 2 which Sorenson represents.

One commercial urged residents to contact Sorenson in order to stop an affordable housing crisis. Even though Sorenson is a leading advocate for the homeless, he drew the ire of AHF after listening to the concerns of nearby residents. In addition to complaints over the size of the development and traffic issues, local residents are concerned over AHF’s lack of transparency over potential residents of “Trantalis Tower.”

The ominous sounding “Meet The Faces Of Fort Lauderdale” ad claims Ben Sorenson “turned his back on those who need his help the most.”

These commercials were not the first time AHF attacked local officials.

In 2017, AHF spent $115,000 attacking the Mayor of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. According to published reports, Mayor Sharon Weston Broome angered AHF leaders when she threatened their funding. The Advocate reported, “AHF started airing television ads on local airways in July that criticize Broome’s decision to cut off the national organization’s share of the federal funding Baton Rouge spends on HIV treatment and testing.”

In April 2019, AHF spent $90,000 on television ads opposing a California housing measure introduced by State Sen. Scott Wiener.

So how much did AHF spend attacking Ben Sorenson? Unlike its California spending, AHF’s political spending is nowhere to be found in State of Florida records. But records from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) show AHF spent more than $38,000 on advertising campaigns with Comcast in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale market.

What’s next? Will AHF supporters who marched in Los Angeles come to downtown Fort Lauderdale? Will the AHF supporters targeting California landlords start to target Broward developers? Do Fort Lauderdale residents want their city to become like Los Angeles?

Why is Mayor Dean Trantalis and his cowed City Commission so silent about Weinstein’s radical political plans?