Senate President Don Gaetz cancels on governor to avoid rule violation

TALLAHASSEE --
Gov. Rick Scott invited Senate President Don Gaetz to dinner Thursday and the senator gladly accepted, before realizing that going might violate Senate rules and the Florida Constitution.

Scott invited legislators to a holiday reception at the Mansion and Gaetz said he and his wife were invited to stay for dinner.

“They’ve asked Vicki and I to stay afterwards,” Gaetz said. “I guess he wants to talk to me.”

Scott often favors substantive discussions over small talk, and the success of his agenda in the second half of his term will depend in large part on Gaetz’s support.

Gaetz said the two men have not spoken since he became Senate president Nov. 20.

Reminded that Senate rules and the Constitution prohibit the Senate president and governor from discussing official business in private, Gaetz said: “I’ll try not to.”

But soon after,Gaetz canceled.

It may have looked like an innocent get-together at the most festive time of the year, and a spokeswoman for Scott said the event was “purely social.”

But under rules re-enacted by the Senate two weeks ago, the Senate president cannot meet privately with the governor without first issuing a four-hour notice to the public and news media.

No notice was given before Thursday’s event.

The Senate counsel, George Levesque, interprets the rule to cover social occasions between the two leaders, according to Gaetz’s spokeswoman.

“It was definitely our fault,” spokeswoman Katherine Betta said. “Next time, we will notice it.”

The Constitution contains a provision, approved by Florida voters, that says discussions of official business between the governor and Senate president or House speaker must be “reasonably open to the public.”

House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, was also invited to the reception, but said he could not attend.

Gaetz, a Niceville Republican, has set a tone different from his predecessors by calling for higher ethical standards for elected officials in Florida — especially legislators.

In his Nov. 20 acceptance speech as Senate president, he told the Senate: “You and I will be judged ... by what we do to reform the way we run elections and raise the standards of ethical conduct from the courthouse to the state house.”

Barbara Petersen of the First Amendment Foundation, a group that monitors government compliance with open meetings and public records laws, praised Gaetz for cancelling on the governor.

“I think this is the appropriate response and hopefully it sets the tone for the upcoming legislative session,” Petersen said. “Even though this meeting may have been less formal than others, clearly Sen. Gaetz takes the responsibilities of his office very seriously.”

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Jennifer Hudson House of Blues Performance

Jennifer Hudson was the guest of honor at Michigan Avenue magazine's December Holiday issue party on December 4, turning the evening into "A Hudson Holiday" extravaganza with the Grammy winner staging a sublime concert at House of Blues Chicago.

VIDEO - Jennifer Hudson's Secret To A Happy Marriage

ETonline scored exclusive video of J.Hud slaying Night of Life -- and let me tell you, this opening number will absolutely have you asking Santa for a time machine, a ticket to Chicago and some comfortable shoes!

VIDEO - First Look: Smash Season Two

Hudson, who is Michigan Avenue magazine's December covergirl, will next be seen on Smash season two, potentially sending her into E.G.O.T. territory come 2013!

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Retired cop to save Chirstmas for Sandy victims

Thirty years ago, a rookie cop saved Christmas by reaching into his own pocket to help a Brooklyn burglary victim whose kids’ presents were stolen by a heartless Grinch.

That simple act of kindness by Don Costello, a now retired detective, has morphed into the city’s biggest toy give-away, one that will be celebrated tonight at the 30th Annual Children’s Christmas Benefit, at Our Lady of Lourdes, in Middle Village Queens.

Six hundred guests, including many local movers and shakers, are expected to appear with new toys or games, comprising a haul large enough to make Santa jealous that will be destined for Hurricane Sandy victims.

In 1982, Costello was a new cop assigned to the 69th Precinct, which covers Canarsie and East Flatbush, where he took a burglary report from a devastated Brooklyn bus driver whose apartment had been ransacked two days before Christmas.

The recently divorced victim had purchased two bicycles he hoped to give to his 5-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter, but the bikes were gone, leaving the impoverished dad crestfallen.

“I took the report and went back to the precinct and called Catholic Charities,” Costello recalled, referring to the charitable arm of the New York Archdiocese.

There were some clothes available, but no toys, Costello recalled.

Unable to buy new bikes, Costello did buy presents for both children, telling the surprised bus driver they were donated by fellow cops -- a white lie that left the bus driver tearful with gratitude.

The heart-warming experience made a powerful impression upon Costello, who later became a detective assigned to the NYPD the Intelligence Division, where he helped guard Rudy Giuliani ‘s family at Gracie Mansion.

The following year, he and 10 pals rented a small hall for a Yule party and about 80 people showed up with donated toys -- and the event has snowballed from there.

He’s received contributions from the Durst family and Jack Rudin, both noted New York realtors, as well as Fred Wilpon, owner of the Mets and Dick Grasso, former head of the New York Stock Exchange.

The toy collection for this year is so huge, Costello and Catholic Charities will need a 17-foot trailer to pick them up and re-distribute them, a joyous task that will take place Monday.

Most of the presents are destined for hard-hit residents of the Rockaway peninsula and elsewhere in Queens, said Sheldon Peters, community project director for Catholic Charities Brooklyn/Queens.

Costello, a resident of Garden City, noted how several local politicians have slyly approached him in years past, trying to wrest control of his feel-good extravaganza, with promises of a top patronage post if he agrees to step aside.

Despite the overtures, Costello says he’s always politely demurred, insisting it’s all about the kids.

Those with new wrapped or unwrapped gifts or toys can present them at Our Lady of Lurdes’ school basement , at Springfield Blvd. and 93rd Avenue, from 8 p.m. until 1 a.m., and enjoy the free food and refreshments.

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Heico increases special dividend

Technology company Heico Corp. said Thursday that it would increase a previously announced special dividend by $1 per share after an enthusiastic reaction from shareholders.

The new special cash dividend will be $2.14, combined with a regular payment of six cents per share. A single $2.20 per share amount will be paid on or before Dec. 31.

Heico moved up the date of the regular dividend, which would have typically been paid in January, and declared the special payment because of tax increases expected in 2013.

The company, which has headquarters in Miami and Hollywood, makes replacement parts for airplanes and components for the space, defense, communications, medical and computer industries.

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Brownsville Christmas concert is next Sunday

The Third Annual Community Concert in the Liberty City/Brownsville area will be at 4 p.m. Dec. 16 at Bethany Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2500 NW 50th St.

Presented by the Historic Hampton House Community Trust, Inc., the free concert will be conducted by Dr. Nelson Hall and is entitled Bridging Classics of the Past with Classics of the Future. A highlight will be jazz great Melton Mustafa and the 2012 Community Mass Choir and Orchestra performing Handel’s Messiah

Miami’s own Mustafa has recorded three CDs and has performed with some of the top names in jazz, including Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman. He teaches at Florida Memorial University.

High school choirs and members of the community with the Messiah in their repertoire are welcome to sing along with the 2012 Community Mass Choir. If your youth group is planning to attend, please email trust@historichampton.net, so they can be acknowledged at the concert.

Christmas concert at Curley

The Archbishop Curley Notre Dame Prep School’s Troubadours Band and the school’s choral group, "The Knightingales," will perform at the school’s annual Christmas Concert, Keep Christ in Christmas at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at the school, 4949 NE Second Ave.

A donation of $5 is requested. For a donation of $20, attendees can purchase a ticket to enter a drawing for a 55’’ Westinghouse flat-screen television. Proceeds will benefit the school’s Technology Fund. The winning ticket will be drawn during intermission. Ticketholders must be present at the concert. For information call the school at 305-751-8367 or visit www.acnd.net

A serene holiday

The Miami Woman’s Club will present Shirlee Fernandez in a program, "Holiday Fitness and Serenity Tips."

Networking will begin promptly at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 11, followed by the program at noon on the RG Level of the Doubletree Hotel, 1717 N. Bayshore Dr., near the Omni. Hernandez has been in the fitness industry for over 20 years, and is a certified instructor. The program will be followed at 12:40 by lunch. The cost is $25 for members and $35 for non-members.

If you go, please bring a gift for a child, which the club will donate to different charities. To make reservations, send an email to nsmith2686@att.net or call 305-891-3789.

Vintage cocktails

The Hoxton at 111 SW First Ave, downtown Miami’s Hampton-style beach house, will host a "Vintage Cocktail Soiree" to benefit St. Alban’s Child Enrichment Center in Coconut Grove.

The party will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 13. Guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres, live jazz from "glg," an ensemble of five renowned musicians from Miami Arts Charter, and a performance by Tony Wilson.

The cost is $25 per person and all proceeds will benefit St. Alban’s new early childhood literacy technology, engineering, math and science programs. You may purchase tickets at http//stalbanscocktail.eventbrite.com or call 305-677-8466.

Piano performance at Coral Gables Museum

The Coral Gables Museum Music Series will present Italy’s Ragazzoni Sisters performing Nutcracker for II Piano at 5 p.m. Dec. 15. Tickets are $40 for non-members, $30 for museum members and Dranoff members, and $10 for children. The museum is at 285 Aragon Ave. in Coral Gables. Call 305-603-8067.

Murder Mystery

Local actress Barbara Fox will be featured in the one-woman interactive murder mystery, "A Very Merry Murder," at 8 p.m. Dec. 14 the Cafe in Knights Inn, 26 Diplomat Pkwy. in Hallandale.

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Facebook might buy Microsoft’s Atlas Ad platform to compete with Google

Is Facebook (FB) preparing to compete with Google (GOOG) in online advertising? According to AllThingsD and BusinessInsider’s sources Facebook might be taking steps to build its own advertising network for online websites. AllThingsD says that rather than build a new advertising network from scratch, Facebook could just buy Microsoft’s (MSFT) Atlas Solutions platform “that already delivers billions of ad impressions a day.”

BusinessInsider reports that Facebook will reportedly pay a lower price than the $ 6 billion that Microsoft paid for aQuantive in 2007 that included Atlas Solutions. It’s estimated that Atlas is worth more than $ 30 million — a small price to pay to compete with Google’s DoubleClick ad network.

So why is Facebook interested in advertising now? Well, it’s got over 1 billion active users with emails, phone numbers, and unprecedented amounts of “likes.” As BusinessInsider puts it, Facebook has so much data it could “tell marketers whether or not a Facebook user saw, on Facebook.com, an ad for a product before going to the store and buying it.”

Get more from BGR.com: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook

Social Media News Headlines – Yahoo! News

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Stephen Baldwin Arrested

Stephen Baldwin was arrested and arraigned today on one count of repeated failure to file personal income tax returns, ET has learned.

RELATED: Stephen Baldwin Helps Epileptic Woman

According to a press release from the Rockland County D.A.'s office, Baldwin, 46, allegedly owes more than $350,000 in taxes to the State of New York, including penalties and interests for years 2008, 2009 and 2010.

"At a time when Rockland County and New York State face severe fiscal shortfalls, we cannot afford to allow wealthy residents to break the law by cheating on their taxes," said District Attorney Zugibe. "The defendant's repetitive failure to file returns and pay taxes over a period of several years contributes to the sweeping cutbacks and closures in local government and in our schools. My Office will continue to investigate and prosecute those who cheat our tax system for their personal gain."

The actor, who filed for bankruptcy in 2009, is due back in court on February 5, 2013 and faces up to four years in state prison if convicted, according to the Rockland County D.A.'s office.

RELATED: Stephen Baldwin Files for Bankruptcy

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Jurors reach verdict in trial of casino bus driver involved in fatal March 2011 crash

Jurors have reached a verdict in the trial of a casino bus driver who crashed in the Bronx, killing 15 passengers.

The verdict in the trial of Ophadell Williams was reached around 3:40 p.m. today, but Judge Troy Webber had the sheet sealed because Juror No.9 needed to leave in order to attend a medical appointment.

The verdict will be unsealed and read on Friday.

The trial began in September and the Bronx District Attorney’s office said that because of the considerable length that this particular case has gone on for, it wanted to be as accommodating as possible to jurors’ needs.

Robert Kalfus

Ophadell Williams.

Williams, 42, was driving a World Wide Travel bus on the morning of March 12, 2011 when it crashed on I-95 and killed 15 passengers who were returning from a trip to the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut.

Williams, who allegedly had only a few hours of sleep and was speeding prior to the crash, faces manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges.

“He knew the risk of driving while fatigued, and he ignored it,” Bronx assistant DA Gary Weil said during the trial’s openings.

“His sleep deprivation was so severe it affected his reflexes as if he were driving while intoxicated.”

An ex-con with a history of driving offenses on his record, Williams tested clean for drugs and alcohol after the accident and his lawyer Patrick Bruno denied any sort of wrongdoing on his client’s part.

“I see no criminality here,” Bruno said when the trial began. “I look forward to trying the case and walking out of the front door with my client.”

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Scott names counsel to head jobless agency

TALLAHASSEE --
— Gov. Rick Scott turned to his top lawyer to take over the state’s jobs agency after the executive director abruptly resigned amid questions about jobless benefits he received before he was hired.

Scott on Thursday named Jesse Panuccio, the governor’s general counsel, to replace Hunting Deutsch. Deutsch quit earlier this week after about eight months on the job.

Panuccio becomes the third person to take over the Department of Economic Opportunity, which was created a year ago at the urging of Scott. The agency — which was formed from parts of several former agencies — handles economic development and runs the state’s unemployment compensation system.

Scott’s decision to turn to another administration official to lead the agency marks a dramatic shift from the governor’s first year in office, when he tried to attract people outside of government to take top posts.

Panuccio has been involved in many high-profile battles of the Scott administration, including appearing in court to argue in favor of Scott’s push to drug-test welfare recipients. Panuccio also recently unsuccessfully tried to get a judge to shield Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll from being questioned in a criminal case involving one of her former aides.

“Jesse’s unparalleled work ethic and intellectual capacity will be a much-needed catalyst for progress,” Scott said in a statement. “Jesse has skillfully represented our office and the people of Florida in important legal cases over the last two years, and we are excited to have him devote his energy and skill to another vital part of state government.”

Scott, just back from a trade mission to Colombia, also appointed outgoing State Attorney Peter Antonacci of West Palm Beach to replace Panuccio as his general counsel. Antonacci is a former statewide prosecutor and deputy attorney general. He also represented former governors in impeachment trials against local election supervisors.

Panuccio will start his new position on Jan. 8.

The changes follow Deutsch’s decision to resign on Tuesday after questions were raised about unemployment compensation he received from September 2009 through May 2011. That period included a time he was traveling in Europe and presumably unavailable to work in Florida as required.

Deutsch maintained he had met eligibility requirements, but some Republican state senators raised questions about how he could get benefits while traveling abroad. Deutsch could have had a rough time getting confirmed by the state Senate if he had remained in the job.

He had spent more than 30 years in the banking industry up to 2009. But the bank that employed him failed and was seized by federal regulators that year.

Deutsch has acknowledged he received a severance payment from the bank, but he has said he cannot discuss it due to a confidentiality agreement. He was out of work until he was hired this past April to his $140,000-a-year post. Despite a gap in Deutsch’s résumé, a spokeswoman for Scott said that the governor was unaware that Deutsch had applied for and received jobless benefits.

The maximum amount of benefits that Deutsch would have been eligible to receive was $275 a week.

Deutsch himself replaced the first head of the agency, Doug Darling, who was forced to resign by the Scott administration right before he was scheduled to have his first confirmation hearing.

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State ethics commission: State Rep. Erik Fresen may have failed to disclose personal finances

The Florida Ethics Commission announced Wednesday it has found probable cause that state Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, failed to properly disclose his annual net worth, assets, and liabilities from 2008 to 2011.

Fresen called the allegations “baseless and pointless.”

The commission’s next step is to determine whether Fresen violated state ethics laws by failing to properly report his income and liabilities on his annual state disclosure forms. That process could take several weeks.

Fresen’s finances have been the subject of several reports, including in the Miami Herald, and became an issue in his successful primary campaign against opponent Amory Bodin.

Fresen said Wednesday the charges were filed against him by an aide to Bodin and he considers them "nothing but a textbook political attack" and he expects to fight the charges. He said the probable cause findings "deal with technicalities and not substantive issues."

"I’m confident that it will be dismissed and we will be responding to it as the process dictates,’’ Fresen said. "It’s baseless and pointless."

Fresen, a land-use consultant, has been dogged by questions about his personal finances since 2008, when a lender filed a foreclosure suit against him, his wife and his mother. He reported a $357,000 net worth in 2011, according to documents posted on the web site of Integrity Florida, a Tallahassee-based government watchdog group.

Prior to the Republican primary in August, the Herald reported that a mortgage company filed suit against Fresen after he failed to make payments in May 2008.

Fresen says the lender tried to double-bill him for $14,000 in property taxes on the house, taxes he said he paid at closing when he bought the house in 2006. (The home was actually purchased by Fresen’s mother, who transferred the deed to Fresen and his wife a month later, records show.) He says the bank sued after he refused to pay the extra amount.

“They would not accept anything but the total amount,” said Fresen, who calls the lawsuit a “legal nightmare.” Fresen said in court papers that he tried to “cure” the default before the foreclosure suit was filed in 2008.

In 2009, a judge ordered the sale of Fresen’s house to pay off a $641,000 judgment, court records show. But in February 2010 — only days before the scheduled sale — the judge rescinded the order because the bank had failed to notify other parties with claims against Fresen and his mother, records show.

No new sale date was ever set, though the foreclosure suit is still pending, court records show.

Fresen said the case has been slowed because the mortgage has been transferred among several banks, but he’s confident the case will be settled soon.

“I can more than cover my mortgage,” Fresen said. “I’m willing to pay whatever must be paid.”

The mortgage, however, does not appear as a debt listed in Fresen’s financial disclosure forms filed with the state. A Miami woman has filed an ethics complaint against Fresen saying he failed to disclose both the mortgage and the foreclosure suit, records show.

Fresen said he doesn’t believe he’s obligated to list the mortgage among his debts because it’s effectively suspended — he says he hasn’t paid the mortgage company in months. “They’re not billing anything,” he said.

Property records and court records show that the mortgage on Fresen’s home is in his mother’s name, not his own. But Fresen says he is responsible for the mortgage, and it appears on his credit report.

Fresen is also facing a $29,199 lien filed by the IRS in May 2011 for taxes owed from 2004 and 2007, records show. Fresen said the 2007 portion of the lien also stems from taxes levied on the money at the heart of the mortgage dispute, and said his accountant is still trying to learn the source of the 2004 tax bill.

In addition, Fresen is trying to remove a $10,000 lien filed on his house by the Miami-Dade Building Department for a code-enforcement violation. The lien was filed over a pool fence erected without obtaining a final permit. Fresen said the contractor was supposed to obtain the final permit and never did; the contractor called the county last week to renew the permit, records show.

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