Tag Archives: judge

Controversial Consultant Judy Stern Already Hurting Tanner Demmery Campaign

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Since her monumental failure in the recent City Of Fort Lauderdale elections, the already controversial consultant Judy Stern may be even more radioactive among the Broward political class. But Stern’s epic failures do not seem to concern Broward County Judicial candidate Tanner Demmery. Perhaps young Mr. Demmery failed to notice how Dean Trantalis trounced Stern-backed Bruce Roberts on his way to becoming Mayor of Fort Lauderdale?

In December, REDBROWARD reported campaigns signs for Bruce Roberts’ mayoral campaign appear were stamped with a bogus union label. Under the auspices of the Teamsters Union, the Graphic Communications International Union (GCIU) governs union print shops in Florida. According to the Teamsters website, only eight Florida print shops are authorized to use the union label with just one shop, Union Printing, located in Broward County.

After winning the endorsement of Fort Lauderdale police and fire unions, many assumed Bruce Roberts would use a union print shop for his campaign printing needs. A large Bruce Roberts campaign sign sported a union label with the 322c number assigned to Union Printing in Hollywood.

But Bruce Roberts did not hire Union Printing. Dean Trantalis paid Union Printing for campaign work. According to campaign treasurer reports, Bruce Roberts paid $6,095 To Publicity Hound Promotions, Inc. for campaign signs.

REDBROWARD contacted Publicity Hound Promotions owner Lisa Mortilla.

When asked why the signs had the Union Printing label, she said, “because they were printed by a union shop.” When told the number belongs specifically to Union Printing Of Hollywood, Mortilla said she was walking into a meeting and hung up.

When contacted by REDBROWARD, a representative from Union Printing stated they were exploring legal options as well as options through the Teamsters Union. One local politico outside of Florida confirmed this Union-busting blunder hurt Stern’s standing with many candidates.

Other Stern clients used Publicity Hound Promotions in the past. In 2016, Publicity Hounds Promotions did print work for Judge Florence Barner and Judge Kim Mollica.

Now, judicial candidate Tanner Demmery is paying Publicity Hound Promotions for print work.

REDBROWARD reached out to Demmery with questions about his ties to Judy Stern. While she is not listed as his consultant, the March 2018 campaign treasurer’s report shows his campaign paid Judy Stern for a seat at her table for the Fort Lauderdale Fraternal Order Of Police event in March.

We will update story if Demmery responds.

Demmery, a lawyer/real estate agent, faces off against Leonore Greller and Corey Cawthon in August.

Judge Nina Di Pietro Campaign Claims Endorsement From Group Backing Her Opponent

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Broward Judge Nina Weatherly Di Pietro claims to have the endorsement of a group which is actually backing her opponent. On its palm card for the November General Election, the “Concerned Clergy of Broward” endorsed former Judge Ian Richards for the County Court Judge Group 7 race. Campaign literature passed out at early voting locations by Judge Nina and her volunteers lists seven endorsements. One of these endorsements is from “Concerned Clergy of Broward County.”

While the “Concerned Clergy of Broward” backed Di Pietro in the primary, it is clear the group of local pastors is now supporting Ian Richards. Is Judge Nina Weatherly Di Pietro trying to fool voters? Is Judge Nina claiming the support of another religious group with a similar name?

This would not be the first time the Judge Nina Weatherly Di Pietro campaign tried to fool voters. On Monday, a campaign volunteer in Wilton Manors claimed Judge Nina was a Democrat. The same volunteer claimed the Dolphin Democrats group endorsed Di Pietro even though Ian Richards is on their palm card.

Another Judge Nina volunteer was spotted handing out the Broward Democrat voter guide. This is another no-no. Plus, it comes just days after Judge Nina supporters pressured Republicans to put her on their voter guide. A former “Republican darling,” Judge Nina lost support in the party after her husband, David Di Pietro sued Florida Governor Rick Scott.

Maybe the controversies swirling around her supporters are forcing these desperate tactics? Her husband sued Governor Scott after he was removed from his post as chairman of Broward Health. State investigators told the Governor that David Di Pietro was interfering in their investigation. This same investigation involves another Judge Nina booster, County Commissioner Chip LaMarca.

Then there is the ongoing drama over the taxpayer-funded Young At Art (YAA) children’s museum in Davie. Her husband, the chairman of YAA, is dealing with financial issues with Broward County. These negotiations come amid scandalous art exhibits involving nudity and hypersexualized events.

YAA curator Zack Spechler is another Judge Nina volunteer. He was spotted handing out non-campaign literature at the African-American Library in Fort Lauderdale. Spechler is the son of YAA CEO Mindy Shrago. His father, Jay Spechler is promoting Judge Nina at the Hollywood early voting location.

Is Judge Nina afraid she will lose her spot on the bench if she plays by the rules?

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