Tag Archives: yaa

Why Is Steve Geller Appointing Young At Art Board Member To Broward Cultural Council?

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According to the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting, Broward County Commissioner Steve Geller (D-Tallahassee) will appoint a Young At Art (YAA) board member to the Broward Cultural Council. Agenda Item 77 states Geller wants Rebecca Bratter to be his representative on the Council. Bratter, an attorney with Greenspoon Marder, has been a YAA board member since December 2014.

As a Young At Art board member, Rebecca Bratter must be fully aware of the 2016 lawsuit filed against Broward County.

Last October, REDBROWARD reported how County Commissioners blasted Young At Art Board Chairman David Di Pietro for filing a lawsuit against the County while trying to negotiate another deal for the troubled taxpayer-funded kids museum in Davie. County Attorney Joni Coffey called it “ridiculous” while Commissioner Mark Bogen signaled the County was ready to “go to war” if YAA did not come back to the table in good faith.

David Di Pietro, husband of Judge Nina Di Pietro,  claimed the museum had no choice because the County was ready to take control of Young At Art. However, REDBROWARD showed YAA insiders laid the groundwork for the lawsuit in 2015

Earlier this year, it appeared there would be no new deal between YAA and Broward County. REDBROWARD reported  Broward County lawyers asked a judge to dismiss most of the claims made in a lawsuit filed by the taxpayer-supported children’s museum in Davie.  In February, YAA asked a Broward County Judge to stay the proceedings for another ninety days. Judge William Haury gave them just forty-five days to finalize a deal. The stay was set to expire on March 23rd.

On that very day, Broward County lawyers filed a motion to dimiss three key counts of the YAA complaint.

In April, key representatives from Young At Art visited Broward County Commissioners to discuss the matter. Representatives included museum CEO Mindy Shrago, David Di Pietro, YAA finance director Dana McLean and attorney Bruce Green. It’s unclear if Shrago’s spouse, the tempermental former judge Jay Spechler is active in negotiations.

Did David Di Pietro and the YAA legal team discuss the lawsuits with Rebecca Bratter? According to one published report, Bratter is a “rising star” in the South Florida legal world. She is the youngest shareholder in Greenspoon Marder history. The Daily Business Review, “[Bratter] became the firm’s litigation manager in 2014, is managing shareholder of the business development group and is a member of the diversity, charitable foundation and executive litigation committees.”

Seems like a no brainer that David Di Pietro and company would ask Bratter for her take on the whole matter, right?

(Over the last few weeks, REDBROWARD tried to reach Bratter for comment via telephone and email. She has not responded.)

As a former member of the Greenspoon Marder team, Geller is well acquainted with Bratter’s legal resume. She was Geller’s lawyer when he sued the Democratic National Committee in 2008.

One may ask why it matters if Rebecca Bratter is appointed to the Broward Cultural Council. It’s just another do-nothing government committee filled with flunkies and cronies, right?

Stay tuned for part two…

David Di Pietro, chairman of Young At Art board

REPORT: BSO PUBLIC CORRUPTION UNIT INVESTIGATING HALLANDALE BEACH MESS

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In a bombshell report earlier this week, WSVN (FOX MIAMI) reported Broward Sheriff’s Office investigators are looking into possible corruption in Hallandale Beach government. Reporter Brian Entin said, “BSO tells 7News its corruption unit ‘is conducting an investigation involving the Hallandale Beach City Commission,’ but they will not confirm any other details. WSVN asked Hallandale Beach Commissioners about the BSO probe.

Mayor Joy Cooper seemed surprised by the news when Entin asked if she was aware of the probe. “Not until you mentioned it to me, no,” Cooper said. Commissioner Anthony Sanders, a Cooper ally, said, “I don’t know anything in detail.” But Cooper and Sanders’ opponents on the Hallandale Beach dais seemed better prepared to answer questions about the BSO investigation.

According to the WSVN report, Commissioner Michele Lazarow said. “You would have to talk to my attorney.” Commissioner Anabelle Taub told WSVN,  “You’d have to call my attorney.” WSVN said their lawyers did not respond to phone calls.

Who are the lawyers for Lazarow, Taub and Vice Mayor Keith London?

DAVID DI PIETRO & HIS LEGAL DREAM TEAM

Last December, REDBROWARD revealed controversial political consultant Evan Ross orchestrated the October 2016 “illegal surveillance” press conference featuring Hallandale Beach Commissioners and their lawyers, Brian Silber, Jay Spechler and David Di Pietro.

On a Sunday afternoon, Evan Ross of Public Communicators Group issued a press release announcing the October 24, 2016 press conference. Ross wrote, “Hallandale Beach Commissioners Keith London and Michele Lazarow as well as commission candidate Anabelle Taub will discuss illegal activity involving tracking devices placed on their vehicles. All three have been subjected to unlawful surveillance.” Ross claimed the matter was tied to Vice Mayor Bill Julian’s “admissions…he solicited and agreed to accept possibly illegal benefits from the developer of The Diplomat Golf and Tennis Club.”

Ross announced documents and video evidence would be provided at the press conference. At no time did Evan Ross mention he operated political committees funded by Gulfstream Park Racetrack and Casino, a inter-city rival of The Diplomat Golf and Tennis Club.

In late October, just two weeks before the Hallandale Beach election, Commissioners Keith London, Michele Lazarow and Anabelle Taub claimed they found GPS tracking devices underneath their personal cars.

As REDBROWARD previously reported, Michele Lazarow’s attorney Brian Silber did not mince words. “I don’t believe in coincidences,” said attorney Brian Sibler. “To tell me it isn’t the political opponent of these people, you’re going to have to tell me that it’s a coincidence that Commissioner Lazarow, Commissioner London, and Anabelle Taub all got GPS trackers on their cars ‘by accident.’ What a coincidence that is.”

Brian Silber and Jay Spechler were members of David Di Pietro’s “legal dream team” when he sued Florida Governor Rick Scott. The Governor removed Di Pietro as the chairman of Broward Health for interfering with a State investigation into corruption at the North Broward Hospital District.

Last year, David Di Pietro was made chairman of the Young At Art (YAA) Children’s Museum in Davie. The controversial museum was founded by CEO Mindy Shrago, the wife of Jay Spechler. Brian Silber appears to have been a YAA board member as well. His name was removed from the museum website after REDBROWARD starting asking questions about Silber’s views on a child sexual abuse case.

Spechler, Shrago and Young At Art have filed two lawsuits against Broward County government.

Now, Jay Spechler is a partner with David Di Pietro and Associates.

Why is David Di Pietro mentioned in so many controversial matters?

Luckily, it appears the right people are seeking answers.