Florida Keys News
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Acevedo blames others
BY JOHN L. GUERRA Citizen Staff

On the first day of Randy Acevedo's trial, his attorney depicted him as a busy schools superintendent who was too trusting of his finance director and his wife to keep the finances straight at work and home.

Attorney Catherine Vogel described Acevedo as someone who simply received information and followed the guidance of underlings in dealing with his wife's alleged perso...

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Acevedo Guilty

Submitted on Fri, 08/28/2009 - 4:58pm
of course it was not his fault. He was just in charge. Isn't it always someone else's fault when it comes to those in power. Where is the personal responsibility?

From developing: Goes to Jury on Friday

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 3:38pm by *.*
quote: "Randy Acevedo's attorney, Catherine Vogel, did not present a single witness in his defense, relying solely on her opening and closing arguments and cross-examination of the state's witnesses." So, either she's a total fool or she feels the fix is in with the Bubba Courts.

Vogel - not a marketable attorney

Submitted on Sat, 08/29/2009 - 2:04pm
Based on her vindictive nature, her strategy (or lack thereof) and the guilty verdict, Vogel is not marketable as an attorney in this town. She only took the case so she could try to get even with the SA. That goes to show - there's a good reason she's not with the SA's office any longer. What a loser!

SO

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 8:11pm
instead of it being a fix with the Bubba Courts, how about it's his right under the UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION!

Constitution

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 5:06pm
OR,she is relying on his constitutional right to remain silent. He does not have to testify and does not have to present any witnesses. It is the prosecutor's burden; it is the prosecutor's burden; it is the prosecutor's burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. I assure you that if you are charged with a crime, any crime, you would want to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. This response is not a commentary on whether or not I think he is guilty, or Monique is guilty, but is just a response to your ridiculous assertion that there are Bubba Courts, and don't address anything at all regarding a legal strategy.

I Agree With You

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 6:50pm by Igotmine
Smart move under the circumstances for the defense. There's no evidence either....it's all circumstantial. Now if there are any married folks on the jury, they may doubt he didn't know.

when

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 1:15pm
do we get to start to sing Nah Nah Nah Nah Hey Hey Hey Goodbye

I wonder if the jurors are asking themselves...

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 12:27pm by 50 year resident of Marathon and voter
Did we pay for that tie and suit Acevedo is wearing in court?

Duh...

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 9:45pm
YES!!!

TV

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 11:08am
I wish we could all watch this "trial" on TV !!

Randy Acevedo

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 10:57am
Poor management is like a rotting fish....the stink starts at the head.

HTA be careful you may be next.....

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 9:39pm
Acevedo working for HTA.....no background check? What department? I hope it has nothing to do with money.

Fish Stink

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 7:07pm
I'm pretty certain the stink of rotting fish starts in the belly,

the correct term is

Submitted on Fri, 08/28/2009 - 11:15am
fish rots from the head - ancient Chinese saying

Of course it was not Randy's fault

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 10:11am
Haven't you all figured it out yet? Randy is innocent of all charges. Free Randy! Where have all the crying women gone? Shouldn't they be outside the courthouse like the Manson family was for Charlie?

"[Vogel] proceeded to run

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 9:41am
"[Vogel] proceeded to run down a list of Acevedo's non-school-related commitments, including the Rotary, working with the Boys and Girls Club and serving as a deacon at his church. 'His attention was spread out throughout Monroe County,' Vogel said. `As a very busy man in his personal life, he delegated the finances over to his wife. As a very busy man as superintendent, he delegated the finance department to Kathy Reitzel.' His extracirricular activities are completely irrelevant and a non issue in this case. He had a job to do and he not only failed to do it, but as the evidence mounts, it appears he attempted to cover everything up knowing full well what was happening. He was responsible for the actions of his staff, regardless of whatever else he may have been involved in. DUH! His first priority was the school district and he failed. If this is Vogel's best defense, the party is pretty much over.

Criminal conduct v. poor job performance

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 5:08pm
Obviously for this to have occurred Randy failed at his job. However, I'm not convinced that it rises to criminal conduct.

Vogel's heralding of Randy's public services

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 12:11pm
reminds me of the days when drug smugglers were being tried in court. They would list their being on the volunteer fire department, soft ball league, and the moose or elk bar club as a badge of honor! It did not work for them either!

Oh good heavens. Who cares about his extracurricular activities

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 11:47am by *.*
And all that time in church really helped shape his moral values, right? Yah, Ms. Vogel, we really won't be hearing much of what you say, if this is the best you can do.

What I Want To Know....

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 2:11pm by Igotmine
Rotary dues are well over a thousand dollars a year. Did Randy, Mike Henriquez, and Pedro Fraga use school funds to pay for their memberships? I hear they haven't been to the meetings since this whole mess started.

Mistaken

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 10:53pm
Randy attends Rotary just like nothing ever happened and contributes the same way as he did before this mess.

I believe we were told that

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 8:09pm
I believe we were told that the district used to pay for the dues. They got away with charging it on their P-Cards. Now no P-Cards, no memberships seems to be the case.

Typical, irresponsible mind-set - It's always someone ELSE's

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 11:44am by *.*
fault. He's just a shining example of the irresponsibility that is pervasive in our society. In his case, though, he's caused the district, the taxpayers and the children, to lose probably a million or more dollars. Once you factor in his putting his WIFE in a position she wasn't qualified for and wasting our money on her salary, as well as putting his other Bubbas in similar slots, and their outrageous travel costs (remember taking 17 people to Orlando and blowing that wad?), and of course, his own personal enrichment via his wife's activities, well....it's probably way more than any of us think.

This man is a hazard if he's given any access to public funds. Thank goodness with the board's move to have him removed officially, he won't be able to touch our taxpayer monies ever again.

He's not only irresponsible, he represents many of our worst sins: gluttony, arrogance, greed, cruelty, lying - you name it.

I wholeheartedly agree with Irresponsible mindset post

Submitted on Sat, 08/29/2009 - 4:27pm
Monique only has a GED for God's sake and not the Bachelor's degree that is required for that position. Well at least in prison she can get a REAL college degree via correspondence school. Shame on Randy for not being MAN enough to stand up to her low class self. And shame on Vogel for having a GED JD degree to not present any defense. You Bubbas are all morons!

It really hasn't gotten any

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 3:19pm
It really hasn't gotten any better since he has been removed. There is still the mindset that nothing needs to change. It's a hazzard giving this group of monkeys any access to public funding. We had an acting superintendent until our newly appointed one arrived. During that time, he was unable to come in with the numbers to meet the requested budget. All administration employees appear to have not made a single sacrifice while teachers are faced with the possiblitity of no raises and no discretionary budget for supplies. 17 people to Orlando last year? Let's try approximately 33 this year to attand an AVID conference, at a cost of approximately $20,000 in June. The highlight of the info on the web site was a free day at Seaworld. Over $26,000 in June for travel, conferences and mileage; not a single request for reimbursement for "supplies". Rumor on the street is that capital improvement money has also been moved to operating expenses. In effect, money to make repairs and improvements to the schools has been put back into the account so those in administration will not have to sacrifice any of their luxury items like travel, conferences, mileage or whatever else they can soak the district for. Yes friends, the winds of change are upon us. Unfortunately for now they are still blowing smoke up our rear ends. And to Dr. Burke, good luck.

Harry Russell

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 10:25pm
Ask Harry Russell, the Bubba principal in Marathon how many AVID conferences he went to last year including one he was told not to attend and he went anyway.

Travel

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 8:38pm
You mean the board approved travel. The board is the the one responsible for the approval.

"In the first place,

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 7:45pm by grundoontwo
God made idiots. That was for practice. Then he made school boards." Mark Twain

Orlando - AVID

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 7:08pm
Before you blow your horn about the AVID conferance, learn about the program! It is the best program ever. My son was in the program in Texas and I can say it transformed his life. It takes kids who may want to go to college, who have poort grades and focuses on high acheievement. My son went from a D student in middle school to graduating the top of his high school class. He is now a senior at the University of Texas and has been accepted into Law School. Many of the kids in his AVID class in High School are also doing well at the Univ of Texas. I talked to someone at the high school here at Key West and they say it doing really well. By the way, nearly all those who went to the training were TEACHERS! They took a week of their summer to go get trained for the program!

AVID-SPAVID

Submitted on Fri, 08/28/2009 - 6:52am by 4:25am by N. Sane
They took a week of their summer to go stay in a plush hotel at a high cost to the district. How many of them took their families along? I will be waiting to see if this program pays some dividends.

GASP!!!!

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 8:50am
Really?!?!?!? I am soooo shocked! He is not going to take responsibility for his actions or lack of action. He is going to throw his wife and staff under the bus to save himself? So shocked.... NOT! He is going to put the bus in drive and reverse and make sure they are pummelled into the asphalt to save his sorry....!!

Weak Defense

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 8:46am
wow- I was afraid he was going to get off. He is an elected official, therefore a corrupt politician not a just a incompetent bureaucrat.

BIAS BIAS BIAS

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 8:37am
How can your story be written with such bias. Is there absolutely no journalistic integrity in this paper. Please remember that what is being presented at this point is the State Attorney's case. Remember, the State presents it's case first. Mr. Acevedo has not had an opportunity to present his case yet. The State has not rested it's case. So how can your rag-of-a-paper say that Acevedo blames others when Acevedo hasn't said anything. The only witnesses and testimony that has been presented has been the State's side. Pay attention to detail and stop feeding the stupid.

Biased????

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 10:00pm
Telling something other than the "Conch's Version" I guess is "biased". They have been saying their BS for so long they nearly believe it themselves. One of the best things to happen to this town... whether you like him or not... is "Key West the Newspaper". We finally started to learn what happens when there is reporting rather than just a newspaper that also serves as a kind of Chamber of Commerce for the town. I am delighted that the Citizen with this reporter has finally felt an obligation to tell the truth as viewed in the real world. You know... the TRUTH. Keep up the good work. There is enough corruption and ineptitude out there to last for another 10 years of stories.

well said

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 5:12pm
Citizen's headlines are frequently biased, as are their stories.

That's how the Citizen and Bill Becker work

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 10:31pm
they endorse them then they beat them up.....

Bias?

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 12:09pm
They reported the days events. Do you really think Randy will testify? Vogel already asked the jurors what they thought if he doesn't take the stand because there is no way he will testify.

Correct on this One

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 11:58am
Finally someone with reason. Clearly the Citizen has its own agenda in this case. Although it should come as no surprise, they have endorsed both Pagett and Colvert in the past elections.

OK, Randy fans, you win

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 11:01pm
I don't think I am going to pay my property taxes anymore ... they just piss away and steal the money. Let them sell my house at auction and use whatever they think they are going to get for it in this "hot" market to refill the school trough. I'll just get Randy's wife (aka, the "Skimmer") to organize a cash fund raiser for me and Randy (50/50 OK?) and still be better off than I am now.

I'm with you

Submitted on Fri, 08/28/2009 - 11:18am
I for one am not writing my check this year - after ten long years of paying in full and on time. Let them sue us all!

That's because the Citizen did extensive

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 3:23pm by 50 year resident of Marathon and voter
interviews of both candidates and their qualifications and compared to Acevedo's qualifications and experience, they determined the best candidate. More than most voters did.

So your saying

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 1:26pm
that Randy was the better choice, even though you are fully aware of the money that the Acevedos [allegedly] have stolen and how unqualified the people are that Randy hired and promoted? The paper is reporting the news. Just because you do not like what you are reading does not mean it is not fair and accurate.

Perhaps you should find another paper then, that you believe in

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 11:46am by *.*
Maybe you can find one who reports what you WANT to hear, and not the truth? I can't figure why you bother to read it and then post here if you feel it's a 'rag-of-a-paper'.

anonther paper

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 4:38pm
rag on

Get them all

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 8:30am
The other half of Acevado's not qualified team was the guy in Marathon that split those duties with Acevado's wife, now he is an Advisor,,,really not qualified. Please Dr. Burke remove all the cancer.

Randy to blame.

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 8:15am
Basically, he appointed his wife to a position for which she was not qualified. He then had the qualifications changed to reduce the requirements, to reflect her inexperience, lack of education and incompetence. Having done that, for his own personal financial benefit and gain, he failed to exercise prudent oversight of a department with an unqualified, incompetent director.

including himself...

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 10:53am
That's what happens when the an unqualified person takes a ride in a professional educator's chair.

It's not my fault Judge...

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 10:03am
I was "too busy doing my job" to uh, you know ...do my job. Exactly who was Monique's immediate supervisor in the "chain of command"? If it was Mike Henriquez, how come he wasn't reprimanded for failure to perform his job?

Randy is a complex man a renaissance figure a hero to his tribe

Submitted on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 9:53am
He single handidly ran a large100 mil company. It was not his fault that so many failed him from his own family to even Frankie St James. He is an island and not by his own device! We have forsaken Randy Acevedo!

What are you

Submitted on Fri, 08/28/2009 - 12:24am
smoking? That is ridiculous, and you know it.
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