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  • 8/9/2019 Pompano Beach CRA Land Grab Obstruction of Justice - US Constitution Not Upheld in Broward County Florida

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    The World of Jimmy Star Publications Inc.1940 E Sunrise Blvd

    Fort Lauderdale FL 33304

    +1 954.828.9979 Call [email protected]

    www.wojspubs.com

    CONTACT: Jimmy Star, +1 954.828.9979, [email protected]

    For Immediate ReleaseU.S. CONSTITUTION NOT UPHELD IN BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

    Pompano Beach, FL, March 15, 2010 In a five year ongoing and very uphill battle againsteminent domain abuse by the Community Redevelopment Agency and City of Pompano Beach, in BrowardCounty, Florida, Gil Eriksen Properties, LLC has been continuously blockaded from presenting its case to a

    jury to defend itself from the illegal land grab of its property which housed the renown World of JimmyStar Grand Castle Showrooms & Entertainment Complex.

    The World of Jimmy Star Grand Castle Showrooms, home of the fashion designer Jimmy Star &his celebrity fashion house to the stars and cool public and his entertainment division working withtelevision and film, was seized 4 years ago by an improperly formed and unauthorized Pompano BeachCommunity Redevelopment Agency (CRA), which took the four lots of prime land and the historic

    buildings on it with the intent to demolish and resell the land for private development, even though it hadno legal authority to do so. The 80 year-old historical buildings owned and restored at a great cost by GilEriksen Properties housed Jimmy Stars fashion and entertainment empire and were visited by his celebrityfriends for four years, with The Grand Castle Showrooms being a hallmark icon in his business, with itstwo grand stories, twelve rooms, his design studio, and the famous entertainment and photo/video set roomThe Red Room. Now the lots are demolished, and only one building remains in ruin as an abandoned,stripped, and ravaged shell of what once.

    This is a call by the designer himself to draw attention to the ever-increasing problem wherebyconstitutional rights are being trampled on at the whim of phantom public entities and governments underthe auspices of eminent domain and warn others that it can happen to them, too. You know that saying,You cant go up against the government? Well Im beginning to question if it is actually true! The thing is,we were just minding our own business and the government came and took our property! We didnt have achoice! And now, 4 years, 7 lawyers, 6 judges, the Circuit Court, the District Court, several PompanoBeach and Broward County Commissioners, and a presidential election later, we are no closer to trial!?Whats going on with due process in Broward County? Is everyone in on the land grab game? asks anexasperated and angry Jimmy Star.

    Gil Eriksen Properties attorneys for the last 3 years of the 5 year process, Allan M. Rubin andSuzanne M. Driscoll of the Shutts & Bowen law firm, recently withdrew from the case on the very morningof trial, leaving Gil Eriksen Properties suddenly without representation, and halting the trial. I thought wewere showing up for trial, and finally after all this time we would get to tell our story to the jury. Then ourown counsel entered a motion to withdraw from representing us! We were never even served such a motion

    beforehand, and before you could blink, trial was stopped! says Drew Albright, Manager of Operations forThe World of Jimmy Star. And this is just another of a long slew of odd and unusual happenings in this

    case, which together have ultimately continued to block Gil Eriksen Properties from its right to defenditself. This whole time nobody ever wants talk about the facts, continues Albright, there is even amotion by Mitch Burnstein [the attorney for the CRA] on the table to prevent Gil Eriksen from testifying.Who ever heard of such a thing? Is it not your constitutional right to be able to defend yourself? It just goeson and on and I dont see why right here in the USA everyone seems so scared to let a jury decide. Werefine that the CRA wants to present its case, but dont we get to present ours too?

    Attached is an overview of some of the highlights (or lowlights) of the case to date [PompanoBeach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) v. Gil Eriksen Properties LLC; Case No. 06-004169

    (21) & 4D08-247]. Please review these ideas and assist us in our media and grassroots effort to end thiskind of obstruction of justice in this case and the many future cases to come.

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    The World of Jimmy Star Publications Inc.1940 E Sunrise Blvd

    Fort Lauderdale FL 33304

    +1 954.828.9979 Call [email protected]

    www.wojspubs.com

    CONTACT: Jimmy Star, +1 954.828.9979, [email protected]

    Incident HighlightsU.S. CONSTITUTION NOT UPHELD IN BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

    Cases: Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) v. Gil Eriksen PropertiesLLC; Case No. 06-004169 (21) ,17th Judicial Circuirt& Gil Eriksen Properties LLC v. Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency

    4D08-247 , 4th District Court of Appeal

    Status: OPEN

    The Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency was found to be createdimproperly, and have no authority to condemn properties through eminent domain, andyet they have been doing it for something like 18 years in the City of Pompano Beachand Broward County [Pompano Beach CRA v. Derriek Phillips, et al.; Case No.06-03741 (18), & Pompano Beach CRA v. Phillips No. 4D07-2865 & 2866.][Redevelopment Agency Cant Seize Business, Judge Rules. Elgin Jones. BrowardTimes. June 29, 2007.]

    The property and businesses at the property were recognized in local, state, national andinternational media as an icon of the height of cool, fame, and success, as well as theheight of community involvement and redevelopment. The buildings on the property arehistorical and represented 80 years of U.S. and Pompano Beach history, and Gil EriksenProperties LLC saved them and restored them. Jimmy Star brought business,employment, the arts and entertainment to the people of Pompano Beach. BrowardCounty Commissioner Kristin Jacobs commended these redevelopment efforts in lettersto the CRA as the kind of redevelopment needed, especially when financed privately, andquestioned the CRA as to the taking of this property.

    Since the taking 4 years ago, the entire property was stripped, then set for demolitionwhereby one building and 3 lots were completely demolished. Then a fight to save theother building began by the Broward County Historical Society, and demolition washalted, and now one building, a mere shell of what it once was, is being rented to a localEta Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity even though it is now uninhabitable and

    would need to be redeveloped all over again. The latest plan is for land across the streetto be used for Broward County School Board buildings. To make matters worse, theproperty was up for sale long before Gil Eriksen Properties purchased it and restored it,so the CRA or Broward County could have bought it any time they liked.

    Floridians voted to stop eminent domain for private development, sending a clearmessage to the CRA, but this case was seemingly pushed through just before thisrestriction would go into effect. The first judge on the case was apparently opposingcounsel Mitch Burnsteins mother, Miette K. Burnstein, the first female circuit court andchief judge of Broward County, who later recused herself.

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    The agencies involved in the land and business grab, like The Urban Group, and thePompano Beach CRA have stalled, harassed, threatened, lied, and used techniques ofdistraction, confusion and exhaustion of resources to attempt to force a conclusion totheir benefit. Things like the CRA and Urban Group making a high initial offer that theywont actually let Eriksen accept, as the CRA has already filed suit, just so it is on recordand hurts the ability for the property owner to obtain counsel as counsel must secure a

    judgment above that offer to begin to earn fees. Things like Mitch Burnstein, counsel forthe CRA saying he has never heard of the Urban Group, or one of Eriksens first realestate attorneys, Peter Rose of Rose & Rose P.A. before Judge Andrew. Things likedelaying proceedings repeatedly, and the list goes on.

    All attempts to have a hearing of the facts have been blocked. A Motion to Vacate theOrder of Taking on the basis of the CRAs lack of authority as well as several improperprocedures and questionable acts committed by the CRA and The Urban Group wasblocked from even being heard at the Circuit Court by the now deceased Judge RobertLance Andrews. This denial of hearing was upheld at the District Court of Appeals byJudges Larry A. Klein (who retired shortly after), Judge W. Mathew Stevenson andAssociate Judge Glenn D. Kelley. Our appraisal by renown appraiser Grant W. Austin ofAmerican Valuation Inc. was stricken from record by Judge David Krathen. Discoverytime limits were applied only to Gil Eriksen Properties and not the CRA by Judge DavidKrathen. A Motion asking Judge David Krathen to recuse himself was denied by JudgeDavid Krathen. Judge Robert Carney granted Eriksens last counsel their motion towithdraw on the morning of trial, delaying trial and potentially blocking it for good. Evennow a motion by opposing counsel Mitch Burnstein is currently entered to block GilEriksen, the representative of Gil Eriksen Properties from testifying in his defense, that is,if Eriksen can even get a trial.

    Counsel is also hard to come by in the highly specialized eminent domain club. GilEriksen Properties first specialized eminent domain attorney, Paul Golis who camehighly recommended in the community, having been on the ethics committee, didntadvocate for his client and was actually disbarred during the case for stealing money fromanother client, hence leaving Eriksen without counsel. Disbarred!!! Now Eriksenssecond set of eminent domain attorneys, Allan M. Rubin and Suzanne M. Driscoll who

    are known to be the best eminent domain attorneys in Florida from the very prestigiouslaw firm Shutts & Bowen LLP withdrew from the case suddenly and without warning onthe actual morning of trial after 3 years of working with Gil Eriksen Properties to get totrial. This now leaves Eriksen without counsel, and without a trial, again. As acorporation, Gil Eriksen Properties cannot represent itself solely and is required to havecounsel.

    Also all attempts to settle the case have been blocked as Gil Eriksen Properties has madenumerous offers on six different occasions, officially, unofficially and through mediationthat have either been ignored or dismissed by the CRA. Now Gil Eriksen Properties isdead locked from making or accepting any potential offer as its previous counsel, AllanRubin of Shutts & Bowen LLP has made a claim by Charging Lien to any proceeds fromthe case, even though they withdrew voluntarily the morning of trial, and eminent domain

    fees are supposed to be paid by the CRA. As it stands, as of March 1, 2010 Gil Eriksen Properties was granted 20 days to obtain

    new counsel and a case status conference is set with Judge Krathen on March 29, 2010.

    We think President Obama has been working to bring back a return to Constitutional Law; westand with him and with the United States of America, and we will not sit quietly or idly by whilecivil rights of the many are trampled by the few.

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    World of Jimmy Star Publications Inc.1940 E Sunrise Blvd

    Fort Lauderdale FL 33304

    +1 954.828.9979 Call [email protected]

    www.wojspubs.com

    CONTACT: Jimmy Star, +1 954.828.9979, [email protected]

    Photos

    The World of Jimmy Star Grand Castle Showrooms & Entertainment

    Complex

    A Historical and Landmark Icon of The

    World of Jimmy Star Grand Castle

    Showrooms and Entertainment Complex

    Business

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    The World of Jimmy Star Grand Castle Showrooms & Entertainment

    Complex at Night

    Fashion

    and Entertainment

    Guru,

    Jimmy Star

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  • 8/9/2019 Pompano Beach CRA Land Grab Obstruction of Justice - US Constitution Not Upheld in Broward County Florida

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    Jimmy Star

    being filmed for

    television show

    Deco Drivesfeature on his

    Jimmy Star

    Grand Castle

    Showrooms

    High Fashion &

    Entertainment

    Complex

    The Castle featured two grand

    stories, twelve rooms, a design

    studio, and the famous

    entertainment and photo/video set

    room The Red Room.

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    The World of Jimmy Star Publications Inc.1940 E Sunrise Blvd

    Fort Lauderdale FL 33304

    +1 954.828.9979 Call Center

    [email protected]

    CONTACT: Jimmy Star, +1 954.828.9979, [email protected]

    Call to Action

    HELP STOP THE GOVERNMENT FROM TRAMPLING ON

    AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS!

    HELP END THE STEALING OF PRIVATE CITIZENS PROPERTY

    FOR BIG BUSINESS & GOVERNMENTS PROFIT!

    Do you want the government to steal your personal property without fair

    reimbursement so government and big business can develop your land for their

    profit???

    Theyre doing it to us right now, and they could do it to you! Dont let the laws fool

    you! You are not protected! They get around the laws!

    Theyve already taken our land, our businesses, our everything and we are asking

    you to take a stand with us as we say NO! to the out and out greed of the powerful

    and the corruption of our Constitution!

    We need your support to help win our case, which none of us as citizens can afford

    to lose, as it would mean losing civil liberties for everyone!

    Tell These Representatives (Following) To stop trampling on our civil rights! To put an end to the corruption and stop stealing from hard working

    Americans! To pay us citizens fairly for our property and businesses which weve

    invested our life savings in! To represent us, the people, and not big business and the powerful! To really stop the use of eminent domain for private development, and not

    just pay us lip service! That you stand with Jimmy Star and The World of Jimmy Star and reference

    our case [Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) v. Gil

    Eriksen Properties LLC Case No. 06-004169 (21)]

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    Tell the City of Pompano Beach Officials:

    Lamar Fisher (Mayor & CRA Chairperson)954-786-4623 or [email protected]

    Georg Brummer (Vice Mayor District 5 & CRA Vice Chair)954-786-4618 or [email protected]

    Barry Dockswell (Commissioner District 1 & CRA Member)954-786-4619 or [email protected]

    Charlotte Burrie (Commissioner District 2 & CRA Member)954-786-4625 or [email protected]

    Rex Hardin (Commissioner District 3 & CRA Member)954-786-4649 or [email protected]

    Woodrow J. Poitier (Commissioner District 4 & CRA Member) OUR [email protected]

    Gordin Linn (City Attorney)954-786-4614gordon.linn@copbflcom

    Dennis Beach (City Manager)

    [email protected]

    Tell the Broward County Officials:

    Ken Keechl (Mayor District 4)[email protected]

    Lois Wexler (Vice Mayor District 6)[email protected]

    Ilene Lieberman (Commissioner District 1)[email protected]

    Kristin D. Jacobs (Commissioner District 2) OUR [email protected]

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    mailto:[email protected]?subject=mailto:[email protected]?subject=mailto:[email protected]?subject=mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]?subject=mailto:[email protected]?subject=mailto:[email protected]?subject=mailto:[email protected]?subject=mailto:[email protected]?subject=mailto:[email protected]?subject=mailto:[email protected]?subject=mailto:[email protected]?subject=mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]?subject=mailto:[email protected]?subject=mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]
  • 8/9/2019 Pompano Beach CRA Land Grab Obstruction of Justice - US Constitution Not Upheld in Broward County Florida

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    Stacy Ritter (Commissioner District 3)[email protected]

    Lois Wexler (Commissioner District 5)954-357-7005

    [email protected]

    John E. Rodstrom, Jr. (Commissioner District 7)[email protected]

    Diana Wasserman-Rubin (Commissioner District 8)[email protected]

    Albert C. Jones (Commissioner District 9)[email protected]

    Bertha Henry (County Administrator)[email protected]

    Jeffrey J. Newton (County Attorney)[email protected]

    Tell the State of Florida Government Officials:

    Charlie Crist (Governor of Florida)[email protected]

    Jeff KottKamp (Lt. Governor of Florida)[email protected]

    Jeff Atwater (President of the Florida Senate - District 25)561-625-5101 or [email protected]

    Larry Cretul (Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives - District 22)

    352-873-6564 or [email protected]

    Christopher L. Smith (Florida Senator - District 29) OUR DISTRICT!!!954-267-2114 or [email protected]

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    mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]?subject=mailto:[email protected]?subject=mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]
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    Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed (Florida Representative - District 92) OUR DISTRICT!!!954-786-4848 or 850-488-0880contact form

    Alcee L. Hastings (Florida Congressman District 23) OUR DISTRICT!!!contact form

    Bill McCollum (Attorney General of Florida)850-414-3300http://[email protected]

    Tell Our National Officials:

    Barack Obama (US President)[email protected]

    Joe Biden (US Vice President)[email protected]

    Michelle Obama (First Lady)202-456-1414contact form

    George S. LeMieux (US Senator of Florida)202-224-3041http://lemieux.senate.gov/public/?p=EmailSenatorLeMieux

    Bill Nelson (US Senator of Florida)

    202-224-5274954-693-4851http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

    Alcee L. Hastings (Florida Congressman District 23) OUR DISTRICT!!!contact form

    ###

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    https://forms.house.gov/alceehastings/webforms/issue_subscribe.htmhttp://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/index.cfmhttp://lemieux.senate.gov/public/?p=EmailSenatorLeMieuxhttp://www.whitehouse.gov/contactmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://forms.house.gov/alceehastings/webforms/issue_subscribe.htmhttps://forms.house.gov/alceehastings/webforms/issue_subscribe.htmhttp://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/index.cfmhttp://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/index.cfmhttp://lemieux.senate.gov/public/?p=EmailSenatorLeMieuxhttp://lemieux.senate.gov/public/?p=EmailSenatorLeMieuxhttp://www.whitehouse.gov/contacthttp://www.whitehouse.gov/contactmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://[email protected]/http://[email protected]/https://forms.house.gov/alceehastings/webforms/issue_subscribe.htmhttps://forms.house.gov/alceehastings/webforms/issue_subscribe.htmhttp://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/emailrepresentative.aspx?MemberId=4432&SessionId=64http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/emailrepresentative.aspx?MemberId=4432&SessionId=64