The SDFLA Blog is dedicated to providing news and notes regarding federal practice in the Southern District of Florida. The New Times calls the blog "the definitive source on South Florida's federal court system." All tips on court happenings are welcome and will remain anonymous. Please email David Markus at dmarkus@markuslaw.com
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
New snack bar/cafeteria finally opened!
Go check it out on the 5th floor of the Ferguson courthouse!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Public corruption trial begins for former Miramar Commissioner Fitzroy Salesman
Here's the preview article by the Sun-Sentinel. Should be interesting:
The defense's case is more unpredictable. Salesman's attorney, Jamie Benjamin, said his client denies that he did anything criminal. One possible argument floated by the defense is that Salesman can't be accused of abusing his office because he was suspended at the time of some of the alleged offenses, due to unrelated legal problems.Benjamin also planned to put on a defense of entrapment."The government turned a casual friendship with Mr. Salesman, where he was more than happy to do favors for people who had befriended him, into one where, like any organized crime ring, they got their tentacles around him," Benjamin wrote in court documents.But U.S. District Judge James Cohn's rulings last week left the defense concerned that if they go too far in accusing the FBI of entrapment, misconduct or racist motivations, it could open the door for prosecutors to tell the jury more unflattering information about Salesman.Cohn ruled Friday there was no evidence of racial hostility, as the defense alleged, in the federal investigation of Salesman, who is black."In addition, the court finds no evidence of governmental misconduct, much less outrageous governmental misconduct," the judge said, rejecting a defense request to dismiss some of the charges.
The defense's case is more unpredictable. Salesman's attorney, Jamie Benjamin, said his client denies that he did anything criminal. One possible argument floated by the defense is that Salesman can't be accused of abusing his office because he was suspended at the time of some of the alleged offenses, due to unrelated legal problems.Benjamin also planned to put on a defense of entrapment."The government turned a casual friendship with Mr. Salesman, where he was more than happy to do favors for people who had befriended him, into one where, like any organized crime ring, they got their tentacles around him," Benjamin wrote in court documents.But U.S. District Judge James Cohn's rulings last week left the defense concerned that if they go too far in accusing the FBI of entrapment, misconduct or racist motivations, it could open the door for prosecutors to tell the jury more unflattering information about Salesman.Cohn ruled Friday there was no evidence of racial hostility, as the defense alleged, in the federal investigation of Salesman, who is black."In addition, the court finds no evidence of governmental misconduct, much less outrageous governmental misconduct," the judge said, rejecting a defense request to dismiss some of the charges.
Bracket busting...
What a great first round of the tourney. Here is your top ten after Rounds 1 & 2:
1. ND in ND Jacob
2. Fake Ed Williams fakeedwilliams
3. Male Bondage II 3boysathome
4. Fake Bill Barzee Fake
5. Well Hung Jury Micah
6. SDFLA Blog * David
7. Male Bondage 3boysathome
8. EDCAjohn jpb95816
9. SJ Scott
10. Dan Dan
1. ND in ND Jacob
2. Fake Ed Williams fakeedwilliams
3. Male Bondage II 3boysathome
4. Fake Bill Barzee Fake
5. Well Hung Jury Micah
6. SDFLA Blog * David
7. Male Bondage 3boysathome
8. EDCAjohn jpb95816
9. SJ Scott
10. Dan Dan
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
St. Patrick Day News & Notes
1. Suspended Broward School Board member Beverly Gallagher pleaded guilty today. She'll do about three years in federal prison. (via Miami Herald)
2. "Wachovia Bank charged with violating anti-money laundering law" (via Miami Herald). Wachovia has agreed to pay $160 million in the deferred prosecution agreement:
Federal authorities in Miami have filed criminal charges against Wachovia Bank, alleging it failed to block Mexican currency exchange houses from laundering $110 million in drug proceeds through the bank, officials said Wednesday.
Wachovia Bank, a subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Co., will avoid criminal prosecution by agreeing to pay a $50 million fine and forfeit the $110 million, officials said.
The bank must also implement stronger anti-money laundering systems.
Prosecutors with the U.S. attorney's office, along with officials from the Drug Enforcement Administration, plan to hold a news conference Wednesday afternoon on the allegations.
Wachovia, charged with violating the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act, got out of the foreign money-transfer business two years ago.
In a statement published Monday in the Wall Street Journal, Wells Fargo said: ``We look forward to resolving this issue and are committed to maintaining compliant and effective anti-money laundering policies and practices, and a strong compliance and risk management culture across the integrated organization."
One of lawyers representing the bank is Nick Bourtin of Sullivan & Cromwell. Bourtin clerked for Judge Moreno.
3. It's not too late to fill out your brackets! Click here at the free blog pool. The password is sdflablog
2. "Wachovia Bank charged with violating anti-money laundering law" (via Miami Herald). Wachovia has agreed to pay $160 million in the deferred prosecution agreement:
Federal authorities in Miami have filed criminal charges against Wachovia Bank, alleging it failed to block Mexican currency exchange houses from laundering $110 million in drug proceeds through the bank, officials said Wednesday.
Wachovia Bank, a subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Co., will avoid criminal prosecution by agreeing to pay a $50 million fine and forfeit the $110 million, officials said.
The bank must also implement stronger anti-money laundering systems.
Prosecutors with the U.S. attorney's office, along with officials from the Drug Enforcement Administration, plan to hold a news conference Wednesday afternoon on the allegations.
Wachovia, charged with violating the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act, got out of the foreign money-transfer business two years ago.
In a statement published Monday in the Wall Street Journal, Wells Fargo said: ``We look forward to resolving this issue and are committed to maintaining compliant and effective anti-money laundering policies and practices, and a strong compliance and risk management culture across the integrated organization."
One of lawyers representing the bank is Nick Bourtin of Sullivan & Cromwell. Bourtin clerked for Judge Moreno.
3. It's not too late to fill out your brackets! Click here at the free blog pool. The password is sdflablog
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