“This is the first time in 33 years that any one has accused me of fraud.”Let’s see, Clifford Schulman looks to be about 65 - at least. So, exactly what transpired when he was in his early 30’s?
The quote stemmed from Clifford lobbying/lawyering for Publix in Sunny Isles Beach and according to the Miami Herald Publix appeal gets a 2nd no from the city.
Apparently Clifford was miffed because Sunny Isles attorney said 2 different site plans were presented by Publix/Clifford: One to the city and a different one to the Shoreline Review Committee (which didn’t include the 140 slip commercial marina).
Sunny Isles Beach attorney Abadin said:
“The development review process says that land owners need to provide complete and truthful information in zoning applications. If they fail to do so, the city commission cannot review the site plans.”
This attorney Abadin is pretty brave. I wonder if he knows what he is up against.
Ron Book:
This is a bad week for Lobbyists. Integrity questioned of Clifford and also Lobbyist Ron Book. In addition to the fight with Assistant County Manager Roger Carlton who insisted Ron was told he was treading on thin ice, the Herald Editorial said today about Ron:
"...no lobbyist who works for a government should be able to petition that same government on behalf of another client, much less for his own financial interests."
9 comments:
What the Herald doesn't actually admit is the fact that they love to write these stories about lobbyists because it sells papers.
Why doesn't the Herald write about the fact that no matter how indignant the Commissioners get with Mr. Book, they never ever EVER fail to call him for outrageous amounts of campaign funds, funds to fight recalls, funds to fight the strong mayor initiative, and on and on.
Would it be a stretch to assume they threaten his livelihood? no. Would it be a stretch to assume they hit him up for any kind of advantage they think he could provide? not in this town.
Folks, why don't we deserve a newspaper that reports on the real news. Look all over the state at state newspapers for actual valuable news. I hope not too many of you depend on this idiotic scandal rag.
These lobbyists suck. I think it is amusing they call themselves lawyers when they are, in fact, lobbyists...who are trained to get around anything. Whether, Lucia, Cliff, or Ron...their training is in circumventing....or jumping through the hoops for their clients.
Cliff, at least 65 years old...Bull...you should only look so good at 59. Where's your picture?
Stand corrected --I was basing my guess on the June 20th photo we printed and seeing him in person.
So that is what 59 looks like?
I look as old as the hills. But what does that have to do with anything?
Get your own blog and you can write nice things about your pals.
Ron Book was breaking the law in Miami-Dade County by owning part of 6 billboards in North Dade. They were illegal. At the same time he was breaking the law he was submitting invoices to Miami-Dade to be paid for lobbying work.
Ahh... if only all of the citizens could be so connected as to buy government subdized condos, art for our oversized homes, put huge billboards in front of our homes, get our property rezoned, win the lottery then this place would be such a great city.
I say that we all put billboards in front of our homes as a protest. Try to sell the space, for any price and send the citations to ron brook.
You almost have it right last Anon:
We have to hire Book so the billboards can make us money.
Also, this from the Herald this week:
LOBBYIST PAYS FINE FOR ETHICS BREACH
Lobbyist Robert Levy of Miami Beach has agreed to pay a $750 ethics fine and reimburse $1,000 in investigative costs, settling charges that he tried to improperly influence a government contract in 2006. Levy was accused of slipping a poison-pen letter about his client's competitor to a county judge who was helping pick the winner of a multimillion-dollar contract to oversee misdemeanor probation cases in Miami-Dade.
His attorney said he was simply trying to report wrongdoing in the way bids were solicited. He did not, however, contact police, ethics investigators or the county inspector general.
''We are appalled that the ethics commission pursued a claim,'' said attorney Lida Rodriguez.
In a deal with the county's Commission on Ethics, Levy admitted he failed to register as a lobbyist and did not contest a claim that he improperly contacted people involved in picking a winning bidder.
The ethics commission approved the settlement Tuesday. The fine was far smaller than the $5,000 fee that ethics investigators said Levy received on the deal.
"Who Controls Surfside Florida?"
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