Tag Archives: florida bulldog

Turf War? Insiders Fear Competing Federal Investigation In South Carolina Will Delay Investigation Of Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony

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Reports of a possible Federal investigation into a prominent South Carolina businessman may slow the investigation into Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony, insiders fear. Concerns over a Federal “turf war” grew stronger this week when news broke that Federal authorities were aware of an inquiry into North American Rescue CEO Bob Castellani. In 2019, the South Carolina-based sold “bleed kits” to the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO). Castellani was a key supporter of Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony’s re-election.

Last month, REDBROWARD was first to report a Federal grand jury in Miami was hearing evidence on matters related to Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony and others in Broward County.

Last week, a story in The Florida Bulldog confirmed a Federal investigation into matters surrounding Sheriff Tony. The website reported the Federal Bureau Of Investigation (FBI) was investigating bid rigging allegations involving a contract between BSO and North American Rescue.

The FBI is investigating Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony for suspected bid rigging, fraud and kickbacks stemming from BSO’s 2019 purchase of hundreds of bleeding control stations from a South Carolina company where Tony worked before becoming sheriff.

Three sources interviewed by FBI agents about Tony confirmed to Florida Bulldog the existence of the investigation that began last year. Those sources include an unsuccessful bidder for the Broward Sheriff’s Office’s bleeding control station contract and a former BSO purchasing official.

The Florida Bulldog reported Tony’s company, Blue Spear Solutions sold bleed kits manufactured by North American Rescue since at least 2015. After becoming Sheriff, Gregory Tony was replaced at Blue Spear Solutions by his wife, Holly Tony.

Will Folks of FITSNEWS, an independent South Carolina news website, reported, “federal law enforcement sources in South Carolina confirmed to me this weekend they were ‘aware’ of the Florida inquiry – but declined to say whether they were providing support. They also declined to say whether Castellani or his company were under investigation.”

Folks stated Castellani is well-known player in South Carolina politics:

“Castellani – an intimate of former SCGOP chairwoman Karen Floyd – has been involved in all sorts of questionable campaign finance activity ostensibly on behalf of his business, North American Rescue. He was also one of the most prominent supporters of sheriff Lewis’ victorious 2020 campaign for sheriff – and is said to exert considerable influence over the “conservative” law man.

‘Bob Castellani is the origin point for all this,’ one Upstate source told us.”

Local insiders fear any investigation in South Carolina could put the brakes on the Florida investigation into Sheriff Tony. With news of the investigation no longer secret, they fear any delay puts the public and even BSO deputies at further risk.

They point to a new report regarding a noise complaint in Parkland.

The Sun-Sentinel reported BSO deputies responded to complaints about a noisy party at a Parkland home in late March. When they arrived on the scene, partygoers (some of them law enforcement officers) told deputies that Sheriff Tony was in attendance. After some consternation, deputies left the scene. Sheriff Tony never came out to speak with his deputies.

But BSO and the deputies were put in a negative light when the news went viral. Once again, Tony and BSO were making national headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Insiders fear Tony left deputies “hanging out to dry” because he did not want to be seen on the BSO body cameras.

These rumors and whispers are destroying morale inside BSO. And the public deserves a resolution to this ongoing drama.

An investigation to a chief law enforcement officer should take center stage over any possible investigation of well-connected businessman.

Investigation Documents Chip LaMarca’s Threats and Intimidation Of Broward Health Employees

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An investigation by the Berger Singerman law firm discovered a pattern of threats and intimidation directed by Broward County Commissioner Chip LaMarca at Broward Health employees. Berger Singerman was hired by the Broward Health commissioners to monitor the Inspector General of Florida investigation into claims of corruption involving contract procurement at the North Broward Hospital District. Mitchell Berger and lawyers at his firm interviewed LaMarca and Broward Health officials regarding a multi-million dollar contract with Zimmerman Advertising.

Chip LaMarca’s role in the $71 million dollar contract for Zimmerman Advertising dominates the 132 page report from Berger Singerman. The report was made public at last week’s meeting of the Broward Health Board. Over the weekend, many news reports focused upon an August 2015 meeting at a North Broward Waffle House restaurant.

Chip LaMarca met the late Dr. Nabil El Sanadi and Doris Peek, a Broward Health senior vice president to discuss the Zimmerman Advertising contract. While LaMarca claims Zimmerman hired him to perform “community relations,” the Berger Singerman report shows he was the main force pushing the contract. According to the report, Peek claims LaMarca threatened El Sanadi. Peek stated the purpose of the meeting “was to discuss Zimmerman’s desire to epand its contract with the District and Mr. LaMarca carried the conversation.” LaMarca told Berger Singerman lawyers that El Sanadi called for the meeting. LaMarca said El Sanadi wanted his advice on “how El Sanadi should approach Mr. Zimmerman about the maketing issue.” Peek claims LaMarca stated at this meeting that his role at Zimmerman was to develop new business for Zimmerman Advertising.

At the same meeting, Peek stated LaMarca asked Broward Health to move its marketing working group meetings to a new night. The group met on Tuesdays, the same day as Broward County Commission meetings. When she asked why he wanted to attend these meetings, Peek claims LaMarca said, “he wished to identify new opportunities which could be mutually beneficial to the District and Zimmerman.”

During the Waffle House meeting, Peek claims Chip LaMarca leveled a direct threat at El Sanadi. Peek told investigators that LaMarca said, “I put you here, and I can take you out.” Peek believes LaMarca wanted El Sanadi to support the lucrative contract for Zimmerman Advertising. El Sanadi committed suicide earlier this year.

LAMARCA GOES ON THE OFFENSIVE

After news of the threat went public, Chip LaMarca moved quickly to deny that it ever happened.  LaMarca told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel it was “ridiculous, outlandish statement.” In an interview with the Florida Bulldog, LaMarca said, “Having been raised by a good mother, the only way I can describe that woman [Peek] is that she was untruthful.” LaMarca told Bob Norman of WPLG Local 10 News, “This is an unfactual allegation. It’s a lie….I wouldn’t threaten a friend.”

The Berger Singerman reports states LaMarca ire may have been directed at Doris Peek as well. Peek was originally scheduled to deliver the Zimmerman proposal to the Broward Health board, but Berger Singerman lawyers learned El Sanadi wanted Peek “removed from the process” because “members of the Zimmerman team were complaining about her ‘interference’ and ‘obstruction.'” Peek believed Jordan Zimmerman and Chip LaMarca tried to get her fired many times between 2015 and El Sanadi’s death in 2016.

LaMarca denied her tried to get Peek fired, “Although he did concede that he believed her to be ‘skeptical’ of Zimmerman’s abilities.”

LaMarca claims he resigned as Vice President of Community Relations for Zimmerman Advertising on March 25 in order to talk to Berger Singerman lawyers. On the same day, lawyers for Zimmerman Advertising advised Berger Singerman they spoke to the Chief Inspector General of Florida. William Shepherd of Holland & Knight wrote, “We have offered to cooperate in [the Inspector General] formal investigation if she feels that is necessary; however, at this time, it does not seem appropriate to work with your law firm in its private engagement.” Why would Chip LaMarca decide not to wait for the Inspector General? Has LaMarca already talked to State investigators? Why would he give up a lucrative job to speak with Berger Singerman lawyers? Was he aware of Peek’s allegations before his interview?