Who is Francine M. Ffolkes
State Of Florida Division of Administrative Hearings. Judge Ffolkes listened to arguments from the City of WPB defending the OBD, and attorneys representing Palm Beach County, Town of Palm Beach, and 222 Lakeview, known as the Esperante opposing the project. Judge Ffolkes expects to make a decision in December. If the decision goes against the city expect an appeal. What the hell, it’s only taxpayer money.
In Oct.2018 hearings were held concerning the OBD (Okeechobee Business District) which I attended for 4 day’s, and must admit it was a learning experience, one that I would not repeat.
Kimberly Rothenberg, City Attorney along with Claudia McKenna, supposedly retired, assisted her in defense of the city.
Terrell Arline represented the Town of Palm Beach along with Palm Beach County.
Nason Yeager represented the Esperante referred to as 222 Lakeview.
Below is the website and case no. if you are interested in reading motions made by the City Attorney including a motion to exempt the Mayor, along with other City Staff from being deposed. Judge Ffolkes denied the motion and ordered some to be deposed, under oath.
https://www.doah.state.fl.us/ALJ/
Click on “Case Search”
Under DOAH Case No. enter 18-004743
Click on docket and see everything that’s been filed by the parties and Orders entered by the Administrative Law Judge.
Read Mayor Muoio and Scott Kelly Deposition below.
https://www.doah.state.fl.us/DocDoc/2018/004743/18004743_237_10182018_15572874_e.pdf
The City objected to Eric McClellan, Director FD&O (Facilities Development & Operations) Strategic Planning for Palm Beach County to give testimony as an expert witness. The Judge overruled and Mr. McClellan, in 10 minutes gave sworn testimony that cut to the chase.
I was impressed by his testimony. Not only impressed, I understood his answer’s to questions asked.
Richard Greene – Development Services Director also testified and although his testimony took hours, I thought he did well by the city.
The many, many, many times I heard Mr. Greene give his presentation on the OBD, and Mr. Kelly state the Related project “One Flagler” would be good for the city, and Mr. Kelly stating it was not spot zoning.
Read the story in the Palm Beach Post below.
I remember sitting in the City Commission chambers and wondered if they believed what they were saying, until one day I said it out loud, and a gentleman sitting next to me reminded me of a story written a few years ago when Mayor Muoio was first elected. I did remember and posted the story below. When Management declares “Perception that I am one mistake away from being FIRED!” Draw your own conclusions.
You Wont Believe This
Most people I know have gone through a rough patch in their life, struggling to make ends meet. I go through it every time the City of West Palm Beach wants to charge be exorbitant fees for my public record requests that should be free and public information!
But when it comes to elected officials who are responsible for spending our tax dollars, I think they should be held to a little higher standard, such as, just paying their bills!
In the case of Commissioner Keith James, it has been common knowledge that he has had more than his share of rough patches in his life, starting back in 1997, going all the way up to 2013, with over $124,000.00 in federal income tax liens; two mortgage foreclosures, totaling almost $500,000.00; and multiple law suits by creditors for failing to pay his bills.
I think being able to pay your bills should be a prerequisite before being allowed to run for Mayor.
But hey, the past is the past, and after a 15 year rough patch, it appeared Commissioner James was on the wagon and was finally getting his life on track… until October 17, 2018.
Poor Commissioner James (and I do mean poor), has fallen off the wagon again.
Apparently Commissioner James has not been paying his bills, according to a Final Judgment issued by the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit here in Palm Beach County against Mr. Keith A. James, which grants the Midland Funding LLC, the garnishment of Commissioner James’ wages he receives from the City of West Palm Beach for being a Commissioner. If that isn’t a new way of tax dollars being used, I don’t know what is!
I am sure Commissioner James sees nothing wrong with this and will brush it off as bad luck, or another rough patch, and just keep on running for Mayor. And I can think of a few developers and lobbyists that will continue to help him do just that. Read the judgment below, and ask yourself if this is the man you want running WPB with a budget of hundreds of millions of tax payers dollars.
After this story was published, an observant reader questioned if the attorney that represented Commissioner James was an attorney working for the city. On page 2 of the attachment you will see the name Zoe Panarites who is indeed a city attorney. That’s what we old timers call “rubbing salt in the wound.” Ask yourself why Mayor Muoio would allow our tax dollars to be used for a personnel court case.
Federal Keith James had the following tax liens placed against him by the Internal Revenue
Service for failing to pay his taxes
1. Name: JAMES, KEITH A
SSN: 514-62-XXXX
Address: 4510 PORTOFINO WAY APT 209
WEST PALM BCH, FL 33409-8101
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Creditor Information
Name: INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
Filing Information
Jurisdiction: FL
Amount: $299
Filing Date: 10/21/2008
Filing 1
Number: 20080384408
Type: FEDERAL TAX LIEN
Book: 22915
Page: 1558
Agency: PALM BEACH COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
Agency State: FL
Agency County: PALM BEACH
2.Name: JAMES, KEITH A
SSN: 514-62-XXXX
Address: 4510 PORTOFINO WAY APT 209
WEST PALM BCH, FL 33409-8101
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Creditor Information
Name: INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
Filing Information
Jurisdiction: FL
Amount: $1,349
Filing Date: 5/2/2007
Filing 1
Number: 20070212917
Type: FEDERAL TAX LIEN
Book: 21686
Page: 1648
Agency: PALM BEACH COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
Agency State: FL
Agency County: PALM BEACH
3.Name: JAMES, KEITH A
SSN: 514-62-XXXX
Address: 4510 PORTOFINO WAY APT 209
WEST PALM BCH, FL 33409-8101
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Creditor Information
Name: INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
Filing Information
Jurisdiction: FL
Amount: $89,825
Filing Date: 1/25/2006
Filing 1
Number: 20060049411
Type: FEDERAL TAX LIEN
Book: 19845
Page: 28
Agency: PALM BEACH COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
Agency State: FL
Agency County: PALM BEACH
4.Name: JAMES, KEITH A
SSN: 514-62-XXXX
Address: 2054 CHAGALL CIR
WEST PALM BCH, FL 33409-7524
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Creditor Information
Name: INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
Filing Information
Jurisdiction: FL
Amount: $32,969
Original Filing
Number: 01166941
Filing Date: 4/30/2001
Type: FEDERAL TAX LIEN
Release Date: 12/26/2002
State of Florida Taxes
Keith James had the following lien for failing to pay his state taxes.
1.Name: JAMES, KEITH A
SSN: 514-62-XXXX
Address: 319 BUCKINGHAM RD
WEST PALM BCH, FL 33405-1607
Creditor Information
Name: STATE OF FLORIDA
Filing Information
Jurisdiction: FL
Amount: $178
Filing Date: 3/14/1997
Number: 97091558
Type: STATE TAX LIEN
Book: 9698
Page: 302
Agency: PALM BEACH COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
Agency State: FL
Agency County: PALM BEACH
Palm Beach County
Keith James had the following liens and judgments filed against him.
1.Case Number: 50-2013-CA-016573-XXXX-MB (2013)
Green Tree Serving, LLC Filed a mortgage foreclosure against Keith James and his ex-wife, Elaine Johnson James, for $380,403.13.
2.Case Number: 50-2011-CC-010187-XXXX-MB (2011)
Business Loan Fund of the Palm Beaches sued Keith James for failing to pay back his loan, in the amount of $13,219.81.
3.Case Number: 50-2008-SC-000416-XXXX-MB (2008)
LVNV Funding sued Keith James for failing to pay his bills. The case was dismissed for lack of activity. A summons against Keith A. James returned because they could not locate him.
4.Case Number: 50-2007-SC-012118-XXXX-MB (2007)
Keith James was sued by Capital One for failing to pay his bills. The case was voluntarily dismissed. A summons against Keith A. James returned because they could not locate him.
5.Case Number: 50-2007-SC-006166-XXXX-MB (2007)
Midland Funding, LLC sued Keith James for failing to pay his bills, in the amount of $1,374.91.
6.Case Number: 50-1997-CA-001116-RFAI-MB (1997)
Citibank, Federal Savings Bank filed a mortgage foreclosure against Keith James, in the amount of $187,193.29.
WPB: Learn From Your Mistakes
If someone were to ask me how many mistakes I made in my life, I couldn’t give an honest answer, there have been that many. If I was asked how many mistakes were repeated I could honestly count on one hand the number. That’s because I learn from my mistakes and tend not to repeat them. I wish the City of WPB did the same.
Below is a draft of the next City Commission Meeting to be held on 11/19/2018, and I draw your attention to Redemptive Life Planned Development.
Item #14 on the agenda reads:
RESOLUTIONS
Staff Recommended Motion: Approve Resolution No. 315-18 and Resolution No. 330-18.
Background:
On March 27, 2017, the City Commission approved a Major Amendment to the Redemptive Life Residential Planned Development to construct a 240-unit apartment complex (“Village at Mangonia Lake”) on a 7.6-acre parcel located at 2201 North Australian Avenue. The plan includes the construction of three, six-story buildings fronting Lake Mangonia, two, three-story buildings located along North Australian Avenue, a clubhouse and related site improvements. The City owns a 1.85-acre parcel with an address of 2405 North Australian Avenue which located on both the east and west side of North Australian Avenue. AHS Development Group, LLC wishes to acquire the .72-acre portion of the property located on the west side of Australian Avenue, which is located directly to the north of 2201 North Australian Avenue, to construct a private park to serve the residents of Village at Mangonia Lake.
Section 2-31(27)(c) of the City Code of Ordinances requires an appraisal to sell City owned property, and Section 2-31(27)(b) of the City Code requires the property to be disposed of by Ordinance. An Ordinance approving the sales contract and authorizing the disposition of the property will be brought back at a future meeting for approval by the City Commission. Resolution No. 315-18 declares 2405 North Australian Avenue to be surplus and authorizes the City to enter into negotiations with AHS Development Group, LLC for the sale of the property.
Additionally, AHS has requested that the City grant a temporary construction easement to AHS which would allow AHS to use the .72-acre portion of the property for staging and storage purposes for the Village at Mangonia Lake project.
Resolution No. 330-18 grants a Temporary Construction Easement to AHS Development Group, LLC. COMMISSION DISTRICT:
The Property is located in District 1 Commissioner Kelly Shoaf district.
Redemptive Life Residential Planned Development along with Commissioner James, has made the news previously with a scandal that broke in WPB, and Internal Auditor Imogene Isaacs, who’s department was doing an audit of the church was accused by Commissioner James of causing the leak to the PB Post, which she did not leak, because I know who did. Below are 3 news articles along with a memo written to Ms. Isaacs from James and also included is a response from former Commissioner Ike Robinson that I hope you take the time to read.
Channel 25 news: https://www.wpbf.com/article/west-palm-beach-investigating-bishop-his-charity-group/1311298
South Florida Times: http://www.sfltimes.com/news/local/redemptive-life-fellowship-possibly-facing-foreclosure
Gossip Extra: Don’t miss additional stories included in the article. Feds investigate city-church $4 million-snafu
— Church at the heart of WPB housing scandal loses tax-exempt status
http://www.gossipextra.com/2011/12/05/keith-james-commissioner-scandal-church-3995
Appeal to the City of WPB. Please learn from your mistakes.
Lets Keep Corruption County In The Past.
This story is a walk down memory lane and due to new readers of WPB Watch who aren’t aware of Palm Beach County and WPB political history, this story is for you.
PBC become known as “Corruption County” nationwide, starting In 2006 when 4 County Commissioners (Mary McCarthy, Warren Newell, Tony Masilotti and Jeff Koons) along with 2 WPB City Commissioners (Jim Exline and Ray Liberti) were caught in a federal corruption investigations, resigned, pled guilty to felony charges, and sentenced to a Federal Prison. The above named Commissioner’s enriched themselves from thousands to millions on deals with businessmen. If you want more history on the above politicians Google them. It’s all there. Residents were outraged and demanded action. We got it, or did we?
The County Commission approved a new code of ethics, created the PBC Ethics Commission and agreed to hire an Inspector General to serve as a full-time government watchdog targeting waste, fraud and corruption. Here’s the story on the new watchdogs.
Palm Beach County Inspector General: Mission Statement: From their website claims:
“Our purpose (why we exist) is to provide independent and objective insight, oversight, and foresight in promoting integrity, efficiency, and overall effectiveness in government.” The PBC Commissioners choose the Inspector General. In my opinion this is ludicrous and should be an elected official and not appointed. How do you investigate the guy that signs your paycheck?
Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics (COE) from their website claims:
“The mission of the Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics is to foster integrity in public services, to promote the public’s trust and confidence in that service, and to prevent conflicts between private interests and public duties.” The PBC Commissioners along with businessmen and schools of higher learning appoint the 5 members of the board and the public has complained for years with one question. How do you investigate a public official that appointed you to the board, or is a friend? I personally have zero faith in the COE due to past “investigations” performed on politicians. I offer this example.
One member of the COE is named Peter L. Cruise and here he is in a picture with elected City Commissioner Lambert. Cruise is on the left. Here’s the question. If a complaint was filed against Commissioner Lambert, how confident are you the complaint would be taking seriously? Below contains a story on Mr. Cruise, who teaches ethics at FAU
http://www.fau.edu/newsdesk/articles/peter-cruise-pbcc-ethics.php
Mr. Cruise donates $750.00 to Lambert’s campaign.
Rick Asnani, President of Cornerstone Solutions and Political Consultant to Lambert, along with Mr. Cruise from the COE Former Commissioner Materio has filed a complaint and a lawsuit against Cornerstone Solution. I hope her complaint wasn’t filed with the COE as I don’t believe she will see justice in the good old boy’s club.
Who is the Wantman Group?
WGI (The Wantman Group) is an engineering firm that has steadily increased the amount of business being awarded to them by the City of West Palm Beach. The projects are typically approved by the City Commission.
Total fees paid by the City to WGI is tough to find because they are often buried in contracts that go through the Procurement Department. I recently placed a public records request and as soon as the city sanitizes the request they will send me what information they want me to have.
In the meantime, WGI seems to enjoy a “favorite firm” status with the City in the same way a certain general contractor seems to be a “favorite firm”, and you know who I am referring too. It is the same general contractor that vocally opposes the City even discussing a disparity study.
After doing some homework, it turns out, WGI’s senior vice president, Jeffrey Brophy and his wife Erin, own a home in Andros Isles, the gated community on the western outskirts of West Palm Beach. However, the Brophy’s do not live in the home at 2365 Pigeon Cay. So who does? Their tenant happens to be none other than City Commissioner Keith James and his new wife Lorna.
It gets better! WGI is helping another one of our City Commissioners, Christina Lambert, who was sworn in on April 5, 2018, and a mere 4 months later WGI hired Commissioner Lambert’s husband, Monte, as a “Senior Business Development Manager”
Mr. Lambert’s recently departed from his Achieve advertising firm as Vice President, as the result of a scandal and law suit against Forte Interactive and RacePartners, a division of Achieve, a major sports franchiser for missing marathon race proceeds. Read the story below:
Does Wantman want more? Time will tell. In my opinion, they will always want more. However, if Commissioner James becomes Mayor James, they won’t need any more “friends” on the Commission to make sure they keep getting more.
I just received e-mail from the City and they want $1,295.01 for the Public Records Request. Makes me wonder what they don’t want me to see/read. Business as usual.