Following is is a recording of Broward sheriff's Lt. David Benjamin's threatening phone message left for Dep. John Bailen on October 19, 2008. At the time, Bailen was trying to expose an incident involving Benjamin during what was a heated campaign between Sheriff Al Lamberti and Scott Israel. To get the background on this case, click here.
Benjamin recently gained notoriety when it was learned he escorted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein to his plane when he fled to Morocco, among other findings. He has since been transferred out of Sheriff Lamberti's command staff, where he has served as the sheriff's right-hand man.
My only regret is the poor video that accompanies it, but I had to make do.
In other news, I must link Roger Stone's latest blog piece on Scott Rothstein, which also comes with interesting art that I promptly lifted from the Stone Zone. It's about Rothstein's musical prowess, which apparently was
apparently worthy of note. Here's Stone:
He was also immensely talented. Among the assets seized by the government were a collection of electric guitars; Fender Stratocaster, a Gretsch Hollow Body with dual pick-ups, and a box-guitar in the shape of a triangle. Rothstein could play and sing like a pro.
I was invited to an evening charity dinner in which Rothstein was billed as the principal entertainment. Scott was scheduled to play the piano and sing in-between sets by a live band. The day before the event, the Chairwoman asked me if I would do five minutes of stand-up prior to Rothstein's performance. I agreed and began polishing a routine.
The next morning the Chairwoman called back with embarrassment and told me that my services would not be needed. It seems Rothstein had to be the only act.
That night Rothstein turned in a flawless performance that would have won on American Idol. He played the piano and sang the Beatles standard "Let It Be." You could hear a pin drop and he got a well deserved standing ovation.
Sort of sad, really.
