Bob Norman's Pulp

Stephanie Kraft, It's Time to Plead Guilty

By Bob Norman Wed., May 11 2011 at 10:45 AM
Categories: Bob Norman's Pulp
The most resounding message sent by the conviction of former Deerfield Beach Commissioner Steve Gonot is this: 

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Not this time, Stephanie.
​Juries, at least those in Broward County, don't buy politicians' convoluted explanations for apparent wrongdoing. So those of you now facing corruption charges -- I'm looking at Stephanie Kraft, Diana Wasserman-Rubin, and half of Tamarac here -- beware. 

They will see through your nonsense. 

Gonot's crime didn't involve public policy; it was all about $5,000 in campaign money that he was accused of steering toward himself during a bitter divorce in which his personal bank accounts were emptied. This may or may not be the first corruption case initiated by a 
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Bob Norman's Pulp

Bob Norman's Greatest Hits

By Deirdra Funcheon Wed., May 11 2011 at 8:04 AM
Categories: Bob Norman's Pulp
Bob Norman is not a man to gloat, so we're doing it for him. During his 13 years as a writer at this periodical (four as feature writer, nine as a columnist, five of those nine as the Daily Pulp blogger), he has had a rash of successes -- especially if you count sending corrupt public officials to jail as success.

It is with mixed emotions that we announce Bob is leaving New Times to become a television news reporter at Channel 10 (WPLG-TV). There, we're sure he will continue to hound politicians, catch con men, and keep a close eye on how your tax dollars are spent. Except he'll be doing it in some sort of Anchorman getup instead of jeans and a tropical shirt.

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Bob Norman's Pulp

Seen Flying Over the Broward Courthouse Today...

By Bob Norman Tue., May 10 2011 at 3:53 PM
Categories: Bob Norman's Pulp
Fuk_Court_5_10_11.jpg
​I would wonder if Parkland Man has taken to the skies -- but this could have been done by a lot of people (so long as they have several hundred dollars to burn). 

Thanks to the source who sent me the photo. Here's a link to the website -- it's quite a general observation. Whoever it is hired at least two planes with separate banners (the other said "Florida U Know This Court - Is Incompetent").  

By the way, many have asked if my email is going to change with the move. The dailypulp@yahoo.com will still be good, so use that one. 

(Thanks to Garie Blackwell for the photo.)
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Bob Norman's Pulp

Tea Party Founder's Hidden Arrest

By Bob Norman Tue., May 10 2011 at 1:10 PM
Categories: Bob Norman's Pulp
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Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
Mug shot of Tea Party leader Danita Kilcullen.
​
That organized band of angry, gun-toting, Bible-quoting older white people -- otherwise known as the Tea Party -- has often crossed the bounds of appropriateness as it pushes for its right-wing agenda. 

But kicking a police officer with three-inch stiletto high heels? 

That's what Boca Raton police say Fort Lauderdale Tea Party founder Danita Kilcullen did after a political rally, prompting a felony charge of battery on a police officer and a booking at the Palm Beach County Jail.

Kilcullen was arrested on October 16, two weeks before the midterm elections that saw two of her favorite candidates, Allen West and Rick Scott, ushered into office. Kilcullen said she told other Tea Party leaders of the arrest, but somehow the arrest never made the news until now. 

She is currently preparing to do 20 hours of community service after pleading guilty to trespassing and a lesser charge of misdemeanor resisting arrest. 

She told me this morning that she was fighting "injustice" at the time over the use of a hotel bathroom. 

Details inside. 
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Bob Norman's Pulp

UPDATED: Was Wade's Play on Rondo Dirty?

By Bob Norman Mon., May 9 2011 at 3:15 PM
Categories: Bob Norman's Pulp
Answer inside, with video. More >>
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Bob Norman's Pulp

And So It Begins ...

By Bob Norman Mon., May 9 2011 at 9:29 AM
Categories: Bob Norman's Pulp
Very soon (today, supposedly), posts will appear on this blog authored by strange names like "Lisa Rab," "Stefan Kamph," "Michael Cohen," and "Brandon K. Thorp." 

Well, they aren't that strange -- those of you who read the Juice blog already know the work of these fine reporters, so it won't be new for you at all. 

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JenJen's school back under fed microscope (after jump).
​For the next few days, I'll be writing here, and they will too. The more the merrier, I say.

By the way, in case you haven't been following the back pages of the Sentinel and Herald, we have a real-life corruption trial under way here in Broward County. 

Former Deerfield Beach Commissioner Steve Gonot is fighting for his freedom against charges that he stole campaign money for himself in a ruse involving his "personal banker," Joseph DePrimo.

Read the latest on it here and here. 

Inside, the $25 million pet school you bought for Jennifer Gottlieb in Hollywood just can't seem to stay out of controversy. 
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Bob Norman's Pulp

The Judge and the Wiseguys

By Bob Norman Fri., May 6 2011 at 2:45 PM
Categories: Bob Norman's Pulp
Broward Circuit Judge Cynthia Imperato made her name as a Mafia fighter. As a former prosecutor and cop, she has both presided over, tried, and investigated high-profile Mob cases.

John "Johnny Meatballs" Piteo is an oft-convicted bookmaker with suspected organized crime ties who has done two stretches in prison. He now works as a chef at Frankie & Johnny's on Oakland Park Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. 

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Imperato and Piteo, unlikely friends.
​You might expect Imperato and Piteo to reside at opposite ends of the social spectrum, but what now has tongues wagging at the courthouse is that Imperato is a regular at Frankie & Johnny's who sources say has forged a close relationship with Piteo. 

Several sources have raised the issue with me; none of them had firsthand knowledge. I've learned, however, that more than one local law enforcement agency is aware of an association between the two as well. 

Rumors about the relationship recently surfaced on the courthouse gossip site JAABlog, though the issue was couched in vague terms and no names were used.

With talk of Imperato, 53, and an apparent wiseguy running rampant, I left four detailed messages last week at Imperato's judicial office asking for comment, but the judge has not responded. 

The 51-year-old Piteo, though, answered a call at Frankie & Johnny's and said there's nothing special about his relationship with Imperato at all. 

"Judge Imperato is a customer here, and that's how I know her," said Piteo. "We have other judges come
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Bob Norman's Pulp

Coffee Art: Osama Bin Latte

By Bob Norman Fri., May 6 2011 at 9:42 AM
Categories: Bob Norman's Pulp
osamabinlatte1.jpg
Ron Gunzburger's Facebook Page
This is the fine work of Rob Negron at the Brew Urban Cafe on Himmarshee.
​
Al Qaeda put out a statement on the internet today about Osama Bin Laden's death: 

"It [Bin Laden's blood] will remain, with permission from Allah the Almighty, a curse that chases the Americans and their agents, and goes after them inside and outside their countries. Their happiness will turn into sorrow, and their blood will be mixed with their tears." 

Sounds like they hired Baghdad Bob to write that thing. I'm sure our Navy SEALs are trembling. I can't wait to hear about the capture (or otherwise) of more of those clowns. 

Zawahiri's next. 

Inside, we pick a couple of names who have contributed to the local investigative journalism site Broward Bulldog. One name stands out. 
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Bob Norman's Pulp

If You Didn't Think the Broward League of Cities Was Evil...

By Bob Norman Thu., May 5 2011 at 4:01 PM
Categories: Bob Norman's Pulp
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Commissioner Aronson at the Broward League of Cities.
​
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Back in the heyday
​UPDATE: Former Scott Rothstein partner Stuart Rosenfeldt has settled his $9 million clawback suit with the bankruptcy trustee for $1.6 million, according to the Sentinel. It's a convoluted situation. Apparently Rosenfeldt is going to pay the money out of a $4 million refund he's receiving from the IRS for overpaying taxes. The rest of the refund money will go to pay taxes he failed to pay in 2008 and 2009. I don't know, you read it. 

-- So now the cities are getting together -- via their "League" -- to stonewall adoption of the new voter-mandated ethics rules. 
​
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Calhoun
​​The Broward League of Cities, led by its director, former North Broward Hospital District Chairwoman Rhonda Calhoun and Coconut Creek Commissioner Lisa Aronson, is coming up with an alternative, mellower set of rules because the new ones, apparently, are just too harsh for them. 

Seriously, people don't know it's hard out there for a pol when they gotta keep ridin' on the dole. 

Aronson says politicians in smaller cities can't afford certain things -- like not being able to work as lobbyists on the side. What kind of a world would it be if elected officials couldn't get some scratch on the side as an influence peddler? 

And what's this about not accepting gifts? they ask. Apparently Aronson can't afford her own meals either. Apparently she hasn't thought of expensing some of her government-related outings to her city either (but that would leave a paper trail!).  

I'm going to one-up you, Lisa -- how about we just go ahead and get rid of all those pesky bribery laws too?*

Inside, read the incredible words of Aronson and Calhoun, who, to borrow a gimmick from another blog, are hereby named the Pulp's Knuckleheads of the Week. 
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Bob Norman's Pulp

Death Photo: Why Obama Is Wrong on This One

By Bob Norman Thu., May 5 2011 at 9:12 AM
Categories: Bob Norman's Pulp
obamameme.jpg
​Yes, actually, one more thing ... 

President Obama made just about all the right moves when it came to killing Bin Laden.

Take a huge risk and conduct the operation despite having concrete proof that Bin Laden was even in the compound? Check. 

Conduct a precise ground raid instead of an air assault? Check.

Quick burial at sea? Check. 

Knock Celebrity Apprentice off the air to make the announcement? Check.

The one I don't agree with is withholding the death photo. "We don't need to spike the football," Obama said about that decision.

Of course we don't -- America is too big to gloat. But there are good reasons to release a photo. Inside, why Obama's rationale for withholding the photo is wrong.
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