Lauderdale Lakes Resident Under Indictment by FBI

Readers, please say hello to Ricardo Pradel. He hails from Lauderdale Lakes, where he was working on his American dream.And then the FBI caught on to his act. What was he doing that was so bad? Well our sister paper, Miami New Times, reported that Pradel was fabricating high school diplomas…

Before Lewis Murder, Rothstein Considered Tony Villegas a “Coward”

For months before attorney Melissa Britt Lewis was killed, she and Debra Villegas worried that Debra’s estranged husband would make good on his threats to harm Debra. Scott Rothstein, their boss at the Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler firm and Debra’s close friend, tried to calm the women.”You guys don’t need to…

Fake Lawyer Chas Brady Is Back on the Case (and Back in Jail) (UPDATED)

Update: Aaand… he’s out! Details after the jump.In April 2008, New Times profiled Robert “Chas” Brady, who was facing fraud charges for passing himself off as a lawyer and Harvard grad when, in fact, he hadn’t even gone to college. The six-foot-two, well-spoken 27-year-old even managed to con some of…

Mendelsohn Singles Out Klenet During Guilty Plea

The illicit payments made to former legislator Mandy Dawson had been widely reported, but it is interesting that seedy lobbyist and political fundraiser Alan Mendelsohn, an eye doctor by trade, singled out Russell Klenet in federal court today. When Mendelsohn pleaded guilty to a federal charge of corruption today, he said that Klenet,…

Two 411-PAIN Attorneys Have Been Disciplined by Florida Bar

The 1-800-411-PAIN Referral service is a network of chiropractors and lawyers that solicits clients who have been injured in car accidents. In October, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the Broward-based company, alleging that it has misled customers into using its services. According to the suit, the company uses commercials…

Clemency Board Will Consider Antonio Balta’s Case

When the state Clemency Board meets for the final time later this week, the four-person commission might, against better judgment, pardon long-dead rocker Jim Morrison. And the board may look at the case of a condemned South Florida dog. But a network of activists stretching from Florida to New York…

Despite Alleged Sex Assaults, State Officials Give Thompson Academy Passing Grade

Despite allegations that teenagers were physically and sexually assaulted while living there, Thompson Academy in Pembroke Pines has received high marks from state officials.In October 2009, the for-profit juvenile detention center received a “commendable performance” grade on a quality assurance review conducted by investigators from the state Department of Juvenile…

Official: Supt. James Notter Made Call for Dirty Developers

In a sworn statement with state prosecutors, late Broward Superintendent Michael Garretson gave a downright creepy description of the telltale sign of when “cunning” former School Board Member Stephanie Kraft, who is facing corruption charges, was lying.    “She’s a very demanding lady, she’s very smart and very demanding but very cunning, and I don’t know how else…

Silver Alert: The Amber Alert for Old People

​Florida has the nickname “Heaven’s Waiting Room” for a reason. Many snowbirds end up making the final trek to our sandy shores to live the rest of their lives in luxury. During that time, many fall sick with various illnesses — including dementia.Back in 2008, Gov. Crist (and others) wanted…

Debra Villegas Claims She and Melissa Lewis Were “Not Lesbians”

One more rumor put to rest? According to Debra Villegas, her friendship with slain Rothstein attorney Melissa Britt Lewis was an extraordinarily close bond and a support system, not a sexual thing.”She was my dearest friend in the whole world,” Debra said in a 2009 interview with Plantation police. “I…

Video: Debra Villegas Tells of Rothstein’s Affair With Melissa Lewis

On Sunday, we brought you the news of Scott Rothstein’s alleged affair with his slain employee, Melissa Britt Lewis. Here’s the sworn interview where Debra Villegas, Lewis’ best friend and Rothstein’s right-hand woman at his now-defunct law firm, tells a Plantation police officer about the affair.Notice that the officer persuades…

Boris the Bandit Forces Pompano GameStop to Close

Wanna close a GameStop? Then rob it. Twice.It seems to have worked for Boris the Bandit — the fellow who robbed the GameStop outlet at 2223 SW 22nd St. in Pompano Beach, twice in the past 12 months and most recently on November 6. We cannot be absolutely certain the…

The Rothstein Affair: What Does It Mean?

Slain attorney Melissa Britt Lewis had an affair with Scott Rothstein? That’s what Debra Villegas told Plantation police detectives, according to a post on the Juice blog broken by Lisa Rab. And Vlillegas had no reason to lie — in fact, she had more reason to conceal it. Combine that with what…

Melissa Lewis Had an Affair With Scott Rothstein, Villegas Says

Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein and his slain employee, Melissa Britt Lewis, had an affair when Lewis was a law student, according to Debra Villegas.The alleged affair, which Villegas revealed in a videotaped statement to Plantation police, raises serious questions about Lewis’ murder two years ago.”Scott was having affairs with any…