truebroward | REDBROWARD

The major players in the ongoing Broward Health legal drama continue to fund the re-election campaign of Judge Nina Weatherly Di Pietro. In March, her husband, former Broward Chairman David Di Pietro, was removed from his post by Governor Rick Scott after the Chief Inspector General claimed he was interfering in the Broward Health investigation. Last week, REDBROWARD revealed her husband’s legal team and the law firm he hired to oversee the State investigation into Broward Health contributed to her re-election campaign.

Two weeks ago, REDBROWARD exposed the close ties between Chip La Marca and Mitchell Berger. La Marca is a close friend of David and Nina Di Pietro.

BIG DEMOCRAT FUNDRAISER KEEPS FUNDING DI PIETRO

In March, the Broward Health board fired the Berger Singerman law firm after Florida Chief Inspector General Melinda Miguel accused Berger Singerman of interfering with her review and recommended the suspensions of David Di Pietro, the former chairman, and Commissioner Darryl Wright. Gov. Scott suspended both men for “malfeasance” within hours of that recommendation on March 18.

In June, LaMarca co-hosted a political fundraiser with Mitch Berger at his Berger Singerman firm for Fort Lauderdale Commission candidate Ben Sorenson. Chip LaMarca was the second name listed on the Sorenson invitation. Politcial insiders wonder why LaMarca, the former chairman of the Broward Republican Party is so chummy with a big Democrat fundraiser like Berger.

Earlier this month, Broward Health debated whether to pay $200,000 in legal fees to Berger Singerman. According to POLITICO, new chairman Rocky Rodriguez said it wasn’t the “right time” to discuss the bill, and said he needed to get some answers “here and there” regarding the fees.

In September 2015, months before he was hired by Broward Health, Mitchell Berger gave a $500 contribution to Republican appointee Nina Di Pietro. Last week, Mitchell Berger gave Judge Nina Weatherly Di Pietro another $500 contribution.

LEGAL DREAM TEAM AND YOUNG AT ART STILL GIVING BIG BUCKS TO JUDGE NINA

After being removed from his post, David Di Pietro sued Governor Rick Scott in Broward County Court. Members of Di Pietro’s legal “dream team” also supported Judge Nina. REDBROWARD reported Judge Nina received large contributions from lawyers Bruce Green, Brian Silber and Jay Spechler. Like Berger Singerman, all three lawyers want Broward taxpayers to pay their hefty legal fees for representing David Di Pietro.

Judge Nina also received money from Spechler’s wife, Mindy Shrago, the controversial executive director of the Young At Art Children’s Museum in Davie. After the August 30th primary, Spechler and Shrago each gave Judge Nina another $1,000 contribution.

David Di Pietro is the current chairman of the Young At Art board.

Mark Douglas, right, with fellow Jamaican, County Commissioner Dale Holness

Don’t think city level politics are as exciting as Trump vs. Hillary? According to his Facebook post, Sunrise City Commission candidate Mark A. Douglas believes residents, “[D]eserve in their leadership, a person who can understand the issues, who can find solutions and effect positive changes.” However, an email obtained by REDBROWARD shows Douglas is prone to vulgar threats of violence when his “leadership” is questioned.

In his campaign mailer, Douglas touts his service on the Artesia condominium board as a shining example of his “leadership.” Douglas has been the president of the board for the last eight years. Two years ago, the board debated the purchase of building to serve as a community clubhouse. Fellow board member Paul Lipof sent an email questioning the deal for the building. It was a very benign email filled with numbers, charts and projected impacts on dues payments. While Lipof questioned the accuracy of Douglas’ numbers, he was polite and professional. These two words could not describe Douglas’ response.

Douglas, a local attorney, was not happy with Lipof’s email. Douglas wrote:

“Paul, go fuck yourself! You fucking twerp. Why don’t you force me to resign????? What you think you are some fucking smart alex [sic] to lecture me about false and misleading information? Tell me this to my face, I will fucking smack you!”

Wow. This was a condo board. Imagine what happens if Douglas has to discuss bigger issues on the Sunrise commission. Sunrise government has been colorful since the days of John Lomelo, but threats of violence and “smack” downs?

In a telephone interview with REDBROWARD, Douglas claimed this was an old issue brought up to “smear” him. Douglas claims he and Lipof did not see “eye to eye” on many issues. Douglas admits sending the email, but claims Lipof blew it out of proportion.

Douglas said Lipof filed complaints with the Sunrise police department and the Florida Bar. He said the bar complaints were dismissed. But he was more defensive about the police report. When asked if the Sunrise PD contacted him, Douglas said he was “made aware” of a police report.

When pressed, Douglas said, “I didn’t call the police.” He finally admitted to speaking to a police representative about the matter. Douglas would not explain what he meant by “smack.”

Douglas was equally defensive about his relationship with controversial Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness.

The Jamaican-born Douglas was endorsed by County Commissioner Dale Holness. Douglas’ campaign has received financial support from Holness. But when asked to discuss Holness’ role in the campaign, Douglas said, “no comment.”

Douglas faces off against Vivi Assidon on the November ballot for the Sunrise Commission Group A seat.

Mark Douglas chats with disgraced Broward Judge Matthew Destry

Douglas, on right, with Dale Holness and Hazelle Rogers

REDBROWARD

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