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| Did you donate or was it done for you by your Government? |
Below are the 2013 tax returns for the non-profit Lauren's Kids. I also blogged (on June 5th) on this charity that recently got a windfall of our tax dollars from the State of Florida. My biggest complaint about them is all the public money they get (see return) and that I want to give to the charities of my choice not the choice of the State of Florida's and Miami Dade County (they also give to this non-profit. To add insult to injury, Lauren's Kids gives to other charities, I believe two were former clients of her dad's. Why is Lauren's Kids choosing charities for me to donate to? Does every official is the state find it necessary to take my tax dollars and distribute my money to charities of their choice? It appears they pay rent from the return. I wonder if that is also Book's Lobbyist office. Lauren's Kids is addressed at 18851 NE 29th Avenue No. 1010, the same as his business address. They show $113,724 in office expenses, occupancy total is $24,628 and to attend conferences, conventions and meetings they spent $40,500 (Note, they only have one employee: $40,500?). Their total expenses for 2013 are $1,579,538.
On this return they show $1,111,710 in Government Grants.
Look at the tax return. Since 2013 Lauren has been getting steady raises and now makes over $100,000 to do whatever it is she does. On this return it appears she makes $96,718. According to page 7 she made $103,000. Read the return and maybe you too can game the system, you just need a well connected lobbyist to adopt you.
Ron Book is the President and Lauren Book is the Vice President and CEO. Also see Florida Bulldog Report "Politicians send millions to charity of lobbyist’s daughter" by Franscico Alvarado.
By the way how much Daniella Levine Cava made from her charity was a big deal in the campaign with an ad on her salary misstated, According to Doug Hanks of the Miami Herald:
Fine print on the screen shows the $500,000 figure came from 10 years of federal tax returns. The reference is to Catalyst Miami, a social-services organization that Cava left before running for Bell's District 8 seat. The two most recent tax returns for Catalyst (officially called the Human Services Coalition of Dade County) record Cava earning $38,900 in 2012 and $55,593 in 2011.Levine-Cava has two degrees -- law and social work and the charity was in existence for over 10 years. What does Lauren have?
8 comments:
She does some walking, maybe some of the public money goes for shoes?
damn this pisses me off. total corruption. Maybe the IRS can get them for double dipping on those office costs?
A last project was a children's book. Amazon had eight reviews. Of the eight five looked like positive plugs from friends. One was from a therapist and two disliked it. Here's those two reviews, since they sound honest, of the product of our tax dollars.
2 of 6 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars The switch between fantasy and reality is fuzzy at best. I can't imagine any child understanding the topic ..., April 1, 2015
By A. Librarian
This review is from: Lauren's Kingdom (Hardcover)
This is a poorly written book, it's very hard to follow. The switch between fantasy and reality is fuzzy at best. I can't imagine any child understanding the topic at all after reading this book.
Showing 1-3 of 3 posts in this discussion
Initial post: Apr 9, 2015 7:59:02 AM PDT
Carol Gilmore says:
I don't understand why you think kids will have a problem with fantasy/reality. They deal with switching all the time, using their imaginations.
Posted on May 6, 2015 8:42:41 AM PDT
Claudia says:
I am a children's librarian and I agree with this reviewer. Several of the "5 star" reviewers of this title have only reviewed this one book, which leads me to believe they may be personal friends or acquaintances of the author.
Posted on May 26, 2015 10:17:21 AM PDT
LibraryLady says:
I am also a Children's Librarian, and I agree that this is not the best book on this subject matter. I don't think there is enough of a contrast in the artwork after the abuse occurs, and overall the artwork really does not match the subject matter. I also felt the dream sequence was confusing. Kids are literal, and the segue was such that many kids might think this is what is happening. And just how is locking Lauren in her room going to prevent her from talking with Rodney "ever again?" Unless, she's locking her in forever, that characterization was kind of weird to me.
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The process for getting specialty license plates approved for causes has become much more difficult since its been hijacked by just this sort of self serving political scheme.
The irony of this information is that the 3+ million dollars that went to fund the Book family dynasty was money that could have been spent in media centers at public schools. It's quite a slap in the face that to be famous For "authoring" a book which cannot be put into school libraries as the school libraries have been closed. During the worst recession in our recent history, librarians and media specialist were laid off by the hundreds across the state. Their salaries were siphoned off by such a very profitable nonprofit.
Step 1. Get a good name.
Step 2. Get a great mission statement.
Step 3. Collect the cash.
Step 4. Get a good accountant.
Step 5. Repeat Step 3 to infinity and beyond.
GoD, can you please do a story on the genesis of this story? As I understand, young Lauren was abused by a nanny. Was the nanny ever identified and/or prosecuted for the offenses?
I believe the nanny was put in jail. I don't want to rehash the story. from sun sentinel:
Ex-nanny Sentenced In Sex Abuse Case
October 12, 2002|By Shannon OBoye Staff Writer
A nanny who for years sexually abused the daughter of one of Broward County's most influential lobbyists did not ask for forgiveness when a judge sentenced her to 15 years in prison Friday, but the young woman she victimized as a child granted it nonetheless.
"I really don't wish any harm on Waldy," Lauren Book told the court, referring to her abuser by her nickname. "I forgive her for her weaknesses which have hurt me," she said in her victim's impact statement. "The things that have happened to me were wrong and should not happen, especially to a child."
Outside the courtroom, Book said Waldina Flores was "a good person who made a bad mistake."
"I know there's good in her, and I forgive her," said Book, who turns 18 today. "She may have tarnished my childhood, but she cannot hurt my adulthood."
Book is the daughter of Ron Book, a wealthy and powerful man who gets paid by businesses such as BellSouth, AutoNation and Florida Power & Light to lobby state legislators. Both he and his daughter cried in court Friday when Flores, 34, was sentenced. Lauren Book's mother and younger brother and sister were in court, as well.
As part of a plea deal with the state, Flores pleaded no contest to five felony charges. Circuit Court Judge Ilona Holmes sentenced her to 15 years for four counts of sexual battery by a custodian and 15 years for lewd or lascivious molestation on a child under 16. Those sentences will run concurrently.
If convicted at trial, Flores faced 36 years to life in prison.
Holmes also ordered her to serve 15 years of probation, but prosecutor Dennis Siegel said Flores will probably be deported to her native Honduras after being released from prison.
Pat and Ron Book said the family agreed to the plea deal to spare their daughter from having to go through a painful trial.
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