When was the last time The Miami Herald printed the email address and information for citizens and government employees to report public corruption? Try, never. How's this from Kenric Ward, Columnist for the Treasure Coast Palm: "Palm Beach corruption laps at Treasure Coast." Ward gives praise to the Miami-based US Attorney Alex Acosta for rooting out illegal activities linking elected officials, developers and rock miners. He writes, "Now that Florida’s real-estate bubble has burst, and deals have collapsed, the rats are turning on each other." Never truer words spoken. I wish the US Attorney would test "Honest Services" against the performance of the unreformable majority of the county commission right here in Miami-Dade. To read the full editorial, click read more.
U.S. ATTORNEY CONTACT INFO
Citizen complaint hotline: (305) 961-9173
E-mail: usafls-citizencompla@usdoj.gov
Kenric Ward: Palm Beach corruption laps at Treasure Coast
By Kenric Ward (Contact)
Sunday, January 18, 2009
A booking shot of Joe Knight, also known as Joe Paladin and Joe Palladino, circa 1989.
Despite his criminal background, Joe Paladin has managed to become a key adviser to the Indian River County Commission.
The rising stench from South Florida is moving ever closer.
For decades, the political shenanigans of Miami-Dade have been the butt of national jokes. Then came Broward County, where Sheriff Ken Jenne was convicted of taking $151,625 in improper services and payments.
Lately, the action has been in Palm Beach. Three county commissioners have resigned under a growing cloud of corruption: Tony Masilotti and Warren Newell are serving time in federal prison for influence peddling on land deals; a third, Mary McCarty, stepped down this month, pleading guilty to fraud.
Now that Florida's real-estate bubble has burst, and deals have collapsed, the rats are turning on each other. McCarty, who had called Masilotti "scum," got a taste of her own medicine.
Alexander Acosta, U.S. attorney for South Florida, has used the current climate to turn up the heat on public "servants" who enrich themselves through crooked connections.
Next stop: Treasure Coast?
Since Acosta's district extends north to the Treasure Coast, local government officials should take note of what's been going down to our south.
Developer-friendly politicians — which include virtually every office holder, regardless of party affiliation — need to realize there's a new sheriff in town. If the local state attorney isn't interested in pursuing allegations of misfeasance or malfeasance, Acosta's office is. He's made public corruption, along with Medicare fraud and gang activity, his top priority.
Using the federal Honest Services Act, the U.S. attorney wields broad power to bring politicians to account. They can be charged for accepting benefits that merely allow their judgment to be compromised. There is no requirement to prove that political favors were explicitly sold.
Most politicians aren't usually that stupid. But fraternization with and campaign contributions from developers raise questions, as they did with Masilotti, et al.
For example, is it such a stretch to consider that the interaction between some Indian River County commissioners and ex-con Joe Paladin — Joseph Knight, as he was known while building homes in the late 1980s in St. Lucie West — might not raise the same red flags?
While there's no evidence of Honest Services Act problems, is commissioners' connection to an ex-con really worth the risk?
Paladin prominently positions himself at every commission meeting, advising commissioners on a host of topics. Last week, he sparred with county attorneys, offering his "legal" opinions on eminent-domain actions. He alternately identifies himself as a builder, developer or, most recently, "consultant."
Unofficially, he's been called the "sixth commissioner" for his influence in local governmental affairs. He even chaired the county's "Growth Awareness Committee."
Some might consider this good civic volunteerism. Yet Paladin hasn't exactly been a model citizen. Convicted of making false statements in his 1988 bankruptcy petition — a felony — he also served time for three counts of theft and was an FBI informant, providing the names of 146 suspected criminal associates. Ironically, this political activist has not had his voting rights restored.
Nonetheless, Paladin (aka Joseph Paladino) shamelessly pals around with commissioners and staff, throws holiday parties and is omnipresent at the County Administration Building.
Why public officials would want to associate with such an individual — let alone give him credit or credence in policy decisions — is one of the mysteries of local politics. Or is it? Similarly self-serving behavior, perhaps not with ex-cons, plays out in halls of government across the Treasure Coast.
By now it should be abundantly clear how special-interest groups work the system for pecuniary gain. Developers routinely win zoning variances, waivers and financial incentives for their projects. They constantly attack urban service boundaries and fight development impact fees, shoving the costs of growth onto existing taxpayers. Naturally, they disparage any attempt to bring more transparency and democracy to the decision-making process.
Is there a quid pro quo?
"Honest services" presuppose that public officials will act in the best interest of the public at large, with neither fear nor favor. Acosta has aggressively pursued this principle, and may yet find grounds to investigate here. Let's hope President Barack Obama doesn't take this U.S. attorney off the case.
ken.ward@scripps.com
FROM THE FILES
Highlights of stories about Joe Paladin (aka Joe Knight) printed in 1989 and 1990 in the News or Tribune:
1988
Jan. 14: "Joe Knight, president of RWS Development Corp., was named St. Lucie West's 1988 Builder of the Year." He built in Country Club Estates and Heatherwood.
March 27: Paladin was charged with insurance fraud and grand theft after being stopped in a Porsche 911 with tags from a stolen vehicle. Police said a "gold-plated .357 magnum Colt Python revolver with an 8-inch barrel" had been re´ported stolen, but was found by authorities in his Indian River Drive home.
March 29: RWS Owner Robert Simpkins fired Paladin, who, it turns out, was just a project manager.
1989
April 6: "Judge orders plea bargain to be sealed," which led to lawsuits to unseal filed by the Tribune and Miami Herald.
May 10: Judge partially releases records.
May 30: Headline: "Arrested builder agreed to help nail acquaintances." In a story: "The man is a con artist from the word go," Simpkins said.
June 23: Paladin was sentenced to 15-month prison terms, to run together, on state and federal charges. Questions were raised about his role as an FBI informant.
U.S. ATTORNEY CONTACT INFO
Fort Pierce: (772) 466-0899
Citizen complaint hotline: (305) 961-9173
E-mail: usafls-citizencompla@usdoj.gov
1 comment:
I don't really get the idea of 'honest services'. Could anyone suggest the type of complaint to file against the unreformable majority? It would do my heart good to file a complaint.
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