Tag Archives: judge

Broward Judicial Candidate Hiding Public Defender Career From Voters

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according to her website, Betsy Benson, right, is an expert on death penalty cases.

According to her website, Betsy Benson, right, is an qualified expert on death penalty cases.

Betsy Benson, a candidate for Broward County Court Judge Group 13, does not want voters to know she is a longtime public defender. 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.

Under the “Betsy Benson Knows The Law!” section of the website, she lists teaching trial skills at Nova Southeastern and the “Natioanl (sic) Institute of Trial Advocay (sic).” But when it comes to her time at the Public Defender’s Office, Benson gets very vague. She admits she, “Taught lawyers for 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.

Is Benson ashamed to admit to voters she represents criminals? Is she worried her association with Finkelstein will damage her chances to be judge?

Benson wrote, “I have spent more than 30 years in the Broward County courthouse. I believe in the importance of role models.” Sorry Howard, guess you didn’t make her role model list.

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

The Facebook page for the 2-4the show 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.

 

Broward Booby Prize: The Judicial Candidate, Busty Waitresses & The Political Pimp

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It’s only Monday, but Broward judicial candidate Lea Krauss already won this week’s booby prize. As first reported by BrowardBeat.com, Krauss was forced to cancel a fundraiser at The Tilted Kilt, a new Fort Lauderdale “breastaurant.” The downtown Fort Lauderdale eatery features good food, cold beer and young waitresses in short skirts that would never be mistaken for a kilt.

REDBROWARD learned local Democrat activists were planning to ask Krauss why she would hold a political event at an establishment which displays scantily clad females. Krauss quickly cancelled the Tilted Kilt affair and moved her event to a Las Olas pizza place.

Even more embarrassing, Krauss continues to have Broward’s “political pimp” on her host committee. Vicente Thrower is listed on the invitation for both events. Thrower has a very checkered recent past in Broward politics.

Last month, REDBROWARD revealed Thrower wants Pompano Beach taxpayers to pay his astronomical legal fees he incurred while fighting corruption charges. Thrower’s attorney convinced jurors that he was not guilty because he was not a public official.

Now, Thrower claims he should have his bills paid because he was a public official.

REDBROWARD shared Thrower’s sworn statement to the Broward State Attorney detailing the actions of politicians and the nortorious Chait father/son team.

Krauss’ boneheaded moves come as her consultant, Ashley Walker, pushed hard to raise support for her campaign.