Tag Archives: young at art

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.

Broward County Wants Judge To Dismiss New Legal Claims By Young At Art Museum

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Broward County lawyers want a judge to dismiss new claims brought by the troubled Young At Art (YAA) children’s museum. Last month, REDBROWARD reported the County moved to have Judge William Haury dismiss several counts in the original YAA lawsuit. Last October, the museum filed a lawsuit fearing an imminent takeover by Broward County government.

After the lawsuit was filed, County officials and YAA officials tried to negotiate a new deal. The motion to dismiss and new libel and slander lawsuit filed against the County seemed to signal the end of negotiations.

Two weeks ago, REDBROWARD reported former Judge Jay Spechler filed a libel and slander lawsuit on behalf of his wife, Mindy Shrago and his son Zack Spechler. Shrago is the CEO of Young At Art. Zack Spechler is a YAA curator. The lawsuit alleges eight counts of libel and slander against Broward County, ArtsMarket, Inc and its owner Louise Stevens. Lawsuit claims Broward County Commissioners and the independent consultant made numerous false statements about Shrago, Spechler and YAA.

On the same day, libel and slander claims were added to the original lawsuit against Broward County, Artsmarket and Louise Stevens.

On Tuesday, Broward County lawyers stated Young At Art made “fatal” mistakes in their original lawsuit.

In its motion, Broward County stated it made “numerous attempts to help YAA while YAA has been unable to sustain itself financially.” County lawyers stated the lawsuit was “hastily” filed while the County negotiated with YAA for a new deal.

The motion states, “In YAA’s haste, however, YAA failed to follow basic Florida statutory notice requirements for suing a political subdivision of the sate in tort. Such failure is fatal to YAA’s tort claims. In an attempt to ‘remedy’ this default found in the initial complaint, YAA amended its complaint. However, the Amended Complaint still fails to comply with the law regarding statutory notice, and to alleges, because it cannot allege, such compliance. Thus, the Couty must dimiss all of YAA’s tort counts.”

As to the new counts, Broward County lawyers stated County Commissioners enjoy “absolute immunity” from libel and slander causes of actions. The new claims mirror the claims made in the suit brought by Shrago and Spechler. They claim comments made at government meetings by Commissioners Sue Gunzburger, Tim Ryan and Dale Holness were defamatory. The County told the Court, “The reason for this immunity is clear. Public officials must be able to offer ‘free and open explanations of their actions.”