Council Meeting wrapup for 10/04/2006 Part 3
Mrs. Bertolini was first of the council members to speak. She spoke of "Protection for my citizens" this was followed by a loud applause. It was tempered by the ever present Mr. Villalobos, who warned that it may be setting a precedent. Mrs. Bertolini shrugged this off, stating that her life was 'an open book' now that she is a public representative.
Mr. Boyd then tried to determine if the parties involved in transactions knew that Mr. Rosado was a council member, would that make it City Business? This will of course, require legal diligence. I'm sure the answer will come out. He also asked what specifically was requested to be investigated by the DBPR. Rosado's counsel pointed out that it was sent to Real Estate Licensing for investigation. The Mayor then asked if the SEC was involved, because the letter claimed a stock sale. The attorney stated that the SEC had not been contacted.
Mr. Boyd then spoke of the courage that it took for Westphal and others to come forward. He said that "noone wants to have their business name dragged through the mud". It was then requested several times that the individuals in question in these different land deals be named. Rosado claimed that they were in his log book, and that residents were welcome to go through his log book.
Rosado stated that he wouldn't provide "confidential information." When he was pressed to name names. He was asked if there was a confidentiality document on file with the Business Development Office, in regards to these individuals. There was none stated.
Next, Mr. Rosado was questioned about his involvement in Paradise Preserve. Apparently, this too is a long standing project which Mr. Rosado characterized as having an "active interest" in. An accusation was leveled that he again disregarded charter, and went directly to a director, asking that a motion be brought forward to council, even if staff objected. Terry Stewart made a call to Mr. Rosado, with Mark Mason as a witness. This call was to explain to Mr. Rosado that he should not work with directors, without first clearing it with the City Manager. Rosado seemed to claim that a Bill Nolan, the named representative of Paradise Preserve was in his office, during the call. This exchange went back and forth. I'm not certain that this gentleman was in the office at the time of the call. He may have been. This is but one of many cloudy moments throughout the evening.
Mr. Rosado again appeared to admit to breaking charter, by speaking to a Julie Harringer directly. He requested lapel pins, and brochures, for his trip to Puerto Rico.
Rosado again went on the offensive, claiming that the CM Duties were violated. Mr. Stewart pointed out a number of times during the evening that there was not enough information at any point in time to level an accusation, prior to the facts being released in the news Media.
When asked if he received any monies during the Westphal transaction, Rosado answered "Yes" and explained that it was "private business". Timelines got dicey, as Mr. Rosado's company was apparently not incorporated until after the documents were signed. This by itself is not criminal, but it could shift the liability Mr. Rosado has from these dealings. It certainly removes any corporate veil protection he may have wanted to assert, on the $261,000 transaction that was referenced in the signed contract.
Tom Hair gained a tremendous amount of respect from me during the evening, with a well thought out, carefully placed question. He asked whether or not it was a third degree felony to profit from a real estate transaction without a license. The City Attorney agreed that it was, if the person was found guilty.
As the evening continued to drag on, two different $10,000 checks were placed on the overhead. The first, to MRM, LLC from a "Top Two Development, Inc" referenced an invoice number that was nearly illegible, but appeared to be #10313. The second check, made out to Mr. Rosado was altered. It was never stated publicly who made the alterations, but the date was clearly changed from March 31, to March 21. The check was cashed on March 28th. This was apparently the catalyst for the check writer to come forward to the press, about Mr. Rosado's alleged dealings.
It's not over yet, I still have three more pages of notes to slog through. For tonight, I will leave you with this part of the story. Tomorrow, I will endeavor to finish.
Mr. Boyd then tried to determine if the parties involved in transactions knew that Mr. Rosado was a council member, would that make it City Business? This will of course, require legal diligence. I'm sure the answer will come out. He also asked what specifically was requested to be investigated by the DBPR. Rosado's counsel pointed out that it was sent to Real Estate Licensing for investigation. The Mayor then asked if the SEC was involved, because the letter claimed a stock sale. The attorney stated that the SEC had not been contacted.
Mr. Boyd then spoke of the courage that it took for Westphal and others to come forward. He said that "noone wants to have their business name dragged through the mud". It was then requested several times that the individuals in question in these different land deals be named. Rosado claimed that they were in his log book, and that residents were welcome to go through his log book.
Rosado stated that he wouldn't provide "confidential information." When he was pressed to name names. He was asked if there was a confidentiality document on file with the Business Development Office, in regards to these individuals. There was none stated.
Next, Mr. Rosado was questioned about his involvement in Paradise Preserve. Apparently, this too is a long standing project which Mr. Rosado characterized as having an "active interest" in. An accusation was leveled that he again disregarded charter, and went directly to a director, asking that a motion be brought forward to council, even if staff objected. Terry Stewart made a call to Mr. Rosado, with Mark Mason as a witness. This call was to explain to Mr. Rosado that he should not work with directors, without first clearing it with the City Manager. Rosado seemed to claim that a Bill Nolan, the named representative of Paradise Preserve was in his office, during the call. This exchange went back and forth. I'm not certain that this gentleman was in the office at the time of the call. He may have been. This is but one of many cloudy moments throughout the evening.
Mr. Rosado again appeared to admit to breaking charter, by speaking to a Julie Harringer directly. He requested lapel pins, and brochures, for his trip to Puerto Rico.
Rosado again went on the offensive, claiming that the CM Duties were violated. Mr. Stewart pointed out a number of times during the evening that there was not enough information at any point in time to level an accusation, prior to the facts being released in the news Media.
When asked if he received any monies during the Westphal transaction, Rosado answered "Yes" and explained that it was "private business". Timelines got dicey, as Mr. Rosado's company was apparently not incorporated until after the documents were signed. This by itself is not criminal, but it could shift the liability Mr. Rosado has from these dealings. It certainly removes any corporate veil protection he may have wanted to assert, on the $261,000 transaction that was referenced in the signed contract.
Tom Hair gained a tremendous amount of respect from me during the evening, with a well thought out, carefully placed question. He asked whether or not it was a third degree felony to profit from a real estate transaction without a license. The City Attorney agreed that it was, if the person was found guilty.
As the evening continued to drag on, two different $10,000 checks were placed on the overhead. The first, to MRM, LLC from a "Top Two Development, Inc" referenced an invoice number that was nearly illegible, but appeared to be #10313. The second check, made out to Mr. Rosado was altered. It was never stated publicly who made the alterations, but the date was clearly changed from March 31, to March 21. The check was cashed on March 28th. This was apparently the catalyst for the check writer to come forward to the press, about Mr. Rosado's alleged dealings.
It's not over yet, I still have three more pages of notes to slog through. For tonight, I will leave you with this part of the story. Tomorrow, I will endeavor to finish.
posted by Lloyd at 6:41 PM
Subscribe Here.
2 Comments:
Excellent wrapup radio! I wound up having to watch on laptop and wasn't able to really see the checks when they were posted. Was it possible to see that the one check had been altered?
You could, in fact, easily see the date had been modified. There is also a scribbled initial in the general area of the date. The question is of course, who modified the check?
Post a Comment
<< Home