Tag Archives: Joe Eggelletion

BIG VOTE: Broward Elections Lawyer, Hastings, & Eggelletion Teamed Up For 2012 Democrat GOTV Rallies

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stepupflyer2In 2012, the attorney for Broward Supervisor of Elections (SOE) Brenda Snipes teamed up with Congressman Alcee Hastings, Rev. Al Sharpton, convicted Commissioner Joe Eggelletion and other Democrats for a get out the vote (GOTV) program dubbed “Operation: Big Vote.” Last month, REDBROWARD exposed Burnadette Norris-Weeks’ role in the November 3, 2012 “Step Up To The Polls” rally. Norris-Weeks event, along with a Pompano Beach rally featuring Rev. Al Sharpton and a “Souls To The Polls” march of churchgoers were used to boost turn out among Broward’s predominantly Democrat African American voters.

Broward Supervior of Elections Brenda Snipes has come under fire for the political activities of her private contract lawyer. Snipes told Broward County Commissioners she was unaware of Norris-Weeks support of a candidate in the County Commission District 2 race last year. Norris-Weeks represented Snipes in legal matters involving the District 2 race.

REDBROWARD reported how Congressman Hastings and a former South Florida Sun-Sentinel senior editorial writer touted Norris-Weeks’ 2012 rally.

In an October 2012 Westside Gazette article, Hastings wrote, “I tried to get a current list of all of the African American organizations in Broward County.  Nobody, I mean nobody, is working from a list that has all the names and leaders of every organization in Broward. That’s ridiculous people.”

Hastings continued, “Enter Step Up to the Polls, the brainchild of Burnadette Norris-Weeks and her law partner.  They have pulled together what I believe will be the most effective effort of an African American led effort this election season.  I am following their leadership, and I encourage you to do the same.”

One week later, Sun-Sentinel Editorial Writer Douglas Lyons praised Norris Weeks’ work to get President Obama re-elected. Lyons wrote, “Even better, other black professionals and organizations have organized similar efforts. Take today’s early morning “Steps to the Polls,” a march from downtown Fort Lauderdale to one of the early voting polling sites at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center…spearheaded by prominent attorney Burnadette Norris Weeks, is just one of several last-minute attempts to rally the faithful to take advantage of early voting and tip the scales of a razor-thin race in Florida to the president’s advantage.”

Operation: Big Vote and Step Up To The Polls claimed to be non-partisan movements, but Lyons clearly was not buying their claims. Lyons’ wife was the tresurer for Norris-Weeks’ political committee known as “The Right Group.”

REDBROWARD obtained photographs of the 2012 Step Up To The Polls rally featuring a who’s who of local Democrat politicians and candidates. Participants marched from Norris-Weeks’ offices down Sistrunk Boulevard to the early voting location at the African American Research Library. Norris-Weeks stood next to Congressman Hastings behind a large “Step Up To The Polls” banner.

Burnadette Norris-Weeks marches with Alcee Hastings

Burnadette Norris-Weeks marches with Alcee Hastings

Other photographs from Operation Big Vote planning sessions show Senator Bill Nelson meeting with convicted former County Commissioner Joe Eggelletion. The photograph was taken just months after Eggelletion’s release from Federal prison.

Joe Eggelletion, seated on Sen. Bill Nelson's left, listens to Operation Big Vote planners

Joe Eggelletion, seated on Sen. Bill Nelson’s left, listens to Operation Big Vote planners

Eggelletion addresses Sen. Nelson and Operation Big Vote planners

Eggelletion addresses Sen. Nelson and Operation Big Vote planners

Eggelletion sporting an Operation Big Vote t-shirt at an October 2012 rally

Eggelletion sporting an Operation Big Vote t-shirt at an October 2012 rally

Rev. Al Sharpton & Alcee Hastings attend an Operation Big Vote rally in Pompano Beach

Rev. Al Sharpton & Alcee Hastings attend an Operation Big Vote rally in Pompano Beach

Once again, Norris-Weeks’ political activities and close associations with politicians such as Hastings, Eggelletion and Dale Holness raise troubling questions for Dr. Brenda Snipes.

Was Dr. Snipes aware of the “Step Up To The Polls” rally?

What would happen if elections issues were raised by rally? Would Snipes consult Norris-Weeks?

Have any elections issues been raised regarding any of the participants of Operation Big Vote?

Were ANY Broward Supervisor of Elections Office resources/ employees/ data used for Operation Big Vote, Souls To The Polls or Step Up To The Polls?

Did any Broward SOE officials or employees attend these rallies?

Broward voters deserve answers from Dr. Snipes.

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

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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.

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