Florida Keys News
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Vogel v. Ward
Veteran from previous regime takes on incumbent state attorney in primary
BY ADAM LINHARDT Citizen Staff
alinhardt@keysnews.com

When former Monroe County State Attorney Mark Kohl announced in February that he wanted his old job back, so began whispers that the race to oust the current top prosecutor could get muddy.

Kohl is running as the only Republican candidate, whereas Catherine Vogel, Kohl's one-time chief assistant state attorney, is challenging current State Attorney Dennis Ward in the Democra...

For the complete article, please pick up a copy of The Citizen for this day or purchase this day's electronic edition at http://secure.floridakeys.com/keysnews/enews. Home Delivery & Electronic Edition subscibers to The Citizen may access this article, once logged in to keysnews.com, at no charge. If you forget your password, please call us at 305-292-7777, ext. 4.
Share your thoughts and opinions related to this posting. Login or register to post comments. More Info

Ward Should Apologize to the Marine Corps

Submitted on Sun, 07/01/2012 - 11:40am by JackieR
Semper Fi, Marine! Always faithful is the wonderful motto for the Marine Corps. Those who served in the Marine Corps deserve our thanks. But those who use that service for political purposes should be scrutinized. Yes, I am talking about the Semper Fidelis Award for Prosecutorial Excellence that John Donnelly gives so generously of his money to advertise for Dennis. But, there is no such award. It was created for the campaign. Every campaign should have a John Donnelly. But in this case, John, Norm Higgins and Dennis Ward should apologize to the Marine Corps for coopting their motto for political purposes. Google the award. You will find only a couple of hits. One where the Dennis’ States Attorney’s Office put out a press release announcing the award and one where Norm Higgins gives the award to Dennis on behalf of the Key Largo American Legion (not the Marine Corps). Other members of the board at the American Legion did not know about the award. It really appears Norm, John Donnelly and Dennis created the award to give himself to kick start the campaign. For more fun, Google Norm Higgins Waste Water Board and see where he was reprimanded for asking staff for personal favors. Talk about public corruption. If he were not a friend and useful to Dennis, he would be under investigation.

the really inappropriate comment

Submitted on Wed, 06/27/2012 - 9:10pm by _+_
If your comment was that really vulgar one about Fletch, I absolutely agree with removing that. I don't see why Fletch's long One-Term Ward comment was removed. Other harsh comments don't get removed.

Watched "Cocaine Cowboys" last night

Submitted on Thu, 06/28/2012 - 8:23am by trapper
only it was a documentary on a news station. Vogel did screw up, and the Cocaine Capo , Griselda Blanco walked with only 4 years of time. The hitman "Riva" was having a relationship with Vogel's secretary and Vogel screwed up the conviction . Blanco ordered Riva on 200 , murders. Yes two hundred ,ordered murders, and Vogel screwed up the conviction even though Riva turned States evidence. After a screwup like that how do you get hired anywhere? Only in Monroe county.

Spot on!!

Submitted on Fri, 06/29/2012 - 2:11pm by Cruz
This cannot be stated enough! This was a MAJOR blunder on Vogel's part. This isn't a small deal. This was major. Vogel's blunders allowed a murderer with 200+ victims to get a slap on the wrist. This woman should have NOTHING to do with prosecutions. Please people, do not just blindly vote. Either do your research or don't vote at all. I don't usually vote to re-elect anyone, but in this case, it is by far the best choice.

Why only two public corruption cases in 4 yrs?

Submitted on Tue, 06/26/2012 - 6:15pm by _+_
So because Ward prosecuted TWO public corruption cases in the past four years (Acevedo & Spoto), he wants to claim that he fights public corruption? You would think if there is so much public corruption, there would be much more than TWO cases in four years.

Why was the long ONE TERM WARD comment removed?

Submitted on Tue, 06/26/2012 - 10:15am by _+_
Why was Fletch's comment titled One-Term Ward removed?

My comment too.

Submitted on Wed, 06/27/2012 - 5:08pm by KeyWestDan
My comment was removed too. What I said about Kohl and Vogel was true but I was pretty nasty to Fletch. Surprised it got posted in the first place. So his went and mine went. I'll try to be nicer in the future.

the bait wrapper bowed to pressure from their candidate

Submitted on Tue, 06/26/2012 - 7:35pm by Fletch

and that long comment only cited facts printed in their own paper

It looks bad when you put a few of One-Term Ward's greatest hits in one place

"all the bait that's fit to wrap"

sign was removed

Submitted on Wed, 06/27/2012 - 9:15pm by _+_
The Dennis Ward sign was removed from the Spottswood property (Coconut Beach Resort) the next day after your post.

Exactly!

Submitted on Tue, 06/26/2012 - 6:03pm by _+_
Talk about corruption!

You have your opinion (comments),

Submitted on Tue, 06/26/2012 - 9:56am
but when you insist on damaging a person who steps up to the plate to run for office, it's a big turn-off to voters. Your comments are harsh in spirit and meant to slam one opponent, in hopes that by default your candidate will get my vote. After reading this, I feel like not voting at all. Monroe is lucky we even have candidates willing to step up to the plate. Let them run on their merits.

Vogel's Ineptitude Gave Early Release To Serial Killer Drug Pin

Submitted on Tue, 06/26/2012 - 4:20am by Conrad
Recently I came across a Miami Herald story about Catherine Vogel. It is an alarming and despicable portrayal of an ineffective and incompetent Officer of the Court. It appears to me that she is not suited to be in any position of authority, let alone the state attorney's office. The sordid conduct of Ms. Vogel and her staff, as it is identified in The Miami Herald article, is reprehensible. Griselda Blanco is a prolific serial killer. As a Colombian Drug Cartel Capo, she was credited with mudering approximately 200 individuals. She was released early from prison because of Ms. Vogel's folly, incompetence and miss-conduct. Ms. Blanco is now allowed to roam the world freely, thanks to Ms. Vogel. The case against Griselda Blanco fell apart as Ms. Vogel and her secretaries were discussing the size of a hit-man's genitals. Vogel knew that her secretaries were having phone sex with her witness. Vogel did nothing to stop it. Ms. Blanco served 4 years in prison. She was set free in 2004. It will be a terrifying ordeal for our citizens, as they will be required to endure the nightmare that will be, if Ms. Vogel is the State Attorney.

Too much to follow.

Submitted on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 8:28am
Bloggers, you've gone over board with all the mud you sling from both sides. Why so hell bent on damaging reputations? Either candidate would do a good job, and on election day, I'm going to vote for who I think is best without considering all this hateful posting. You are not helping your candidate by slamming the other. Tell me what your candidate has done right, or what they can do in the future.

Vogel's reputation speaks for itself.

Submitted on Tue, 06/26/2012 - 12:06pm by Cruz
I disagree whole heartedly with "either candidate would do a good job." By the way, Ward is not my candidate. In fact, I think it is a shame we can't get a great candidate for this office. However, those who have worked with Vogel will tell you she spent more time reminding everyone how long she has been a lawyer than she did actually trying to get justice for crime victims. In fact, it was a common joke she was the best attorney for the public defenders office. But I digress. This is the Keys and we are not known for good attorneys, both in the SAO, public defenders, and private practice. The only good one I can think of and who would make the best SA currently works for Ward. MW, that is a hint! 4 years from now???

Excuse me! This is not a blog this is a comment section!

Submitted on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 6:01pm
If you do not know what Dennis Ward has done in these past 3.5 years. You are really ignorant and cannot read the news paper! Heck the Citizen is written so a 8th grader can read it! Vogel will not do a good job. Go on google and check put her screw ups! What is really funny is that she said that if she had probable cause she would PROSECUTE! This alone shows that her 1000 years of experience was all prosecuting chicken and horse thieves! She doesn't even realize what the Grand Jury is about!!! Your post is a hoot! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA LMAO!!!!

200 years of experience versus almost four years of convictions!

Submitted on Sun, 06/24/2012 - 2:54pm
ugh duhhhh! Vogel waddles around saying how successful she was at prosecuting. In fact she won a few cases but she also screwed up several major cases causing them to re-tried (she with held evidence in the baby lollipops trial), re-examined and fixed. Her 200-300 years of prosecution in Miami Dade ended with her early retirement from the Dade States Attorney’s office after her secretary was having a relationship with a imprisoned murdering hit man on the office phone. This phone sex affair was happening all the while her boss Ms Vogel was close by in her office. If you don't believe me GOOGLE IT and or write the Dade County States attorneys office for Vogel's employee file. Under the Sunshine act they have to give you every sordid detail enclosed in those documents! Its one thing to say you have had 3000 years of experience but to leave out a career’s failures. Well that’s another story. Oh and the murdering hit man was flipping on his boss Griselda Blanco who at the time was a murdering Witch Drug Queen pin from Colombia! Catherine Vogel was the prosecuting attorney on that one. Hey it was such a great story they made a movie about it! You can watch it for free or buy it on Amazon: http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/cocaine-cowboys/ or on you tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FHB_DJ2SB7k or you can read about it at http://www.miaminewtimes.com/content/printVersion/239037/ We the public should vet the people we are considering voting for. It’s our right under the laws of the State Of Florida and the U.S. Constitution. its funny how all the Randy supporters are backing Catherine Vogel! Don't ya think???

useless information

Submitted on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 9:40am by _+_
That's unfortunate if it's true that Vogel was affected by her secretary. I doubt this secretary was being loud on the phone. She was either doing it when Vogel was out of the office or whispering so no one could hear her. It could have easily happened to anyone. What's interesting is why would you bring up a phone sex scandal as if it has any relevance? And then you change the subject and say that the drug trade in Miami was such a great story they made a movie about it, "Cocaine Cowboys."

NAH NAH NAH Your post is drivel!

Submitted on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 5:45pm
Vulger knew all about it> She even cautioned her secretary about it. It went on for months! Many others in the office new about it too! You need to read some more and get your high hopes of Vulger even getting elected! In fact go ask Vulger your self. I would love to hear the spin on this one!!

No way.

Submitted on Sun, 06/24/2012 - 10:51am by Cruz
As someone familiar with the system and familiar with the candidates, I cannot stress how bad it would be for crime victims if Vogel were to get elected or if Kohl were to get back in. Unfortunately, I am not a fan of any of these candidates, including Ward, but he is definitely the lesser of 3 evils. Ward trimmed the SAO fat (literally) when he got rid of Vogel. She was a good for nothing, arrogant seat filler. Do not take this county backwards by putting her or Kohl back in office. The 2 of them obviously have some sort of agreement worked out here in case either wins.

Amen!!!!

Submitted on Tue, 06/26/2012 - 3:07pm by ===
Vogel-Kohl would be a horror!

Mr. Ward can easily get my vote again

Submitted on Sun, 06/24/2012 - 10:33am by trapper
by prosecuting Gentile. Ward is willing to prosecute "Bubba" , which means he is fair about his job and not playing favorites. A lot of people want to see the "old" ways return, since they were connected. Ward keeps pulling the "weeds" out of their gardens, I like to give him a shovel for the job.

Will One-Term Ward Return Our Money?

Submitted on Sun, 06/24/2012 - 9:28am by Fletch

Ward Collected State Attorney Paycheck While His Law License Was Suspended

Back in 2009, newly elected Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward received a delinquency letter because he had failed to meet the continuing education requirements for the period ending June 30, 2009. It took Ward two weeks to fulfill the continuing education requirements and report that to the Bar. During that period, Ward was not allowed to practice law as per the Florida Bar — “Delinquent members shall not engage in the practice law in Florida . . .” That quote is from the Florida Bar Rule 1-3.6 concerning delinquent members.

Yet one of the qualifications for the office of State Attorney is that the occupant of the office be a practicing attorney and member of the Florida Bar.

Ward now claims that he did not practice law during that period. Yet Ward took a paycheck for the period he was ineligible to act as State Attorney.

How can we expect Ward to enforce the law when he feels he is above the law himself?

Did Ward practice during that period or not?

Submitted on Wed, 06/27/2012 - 4:44pm
Seems like it would be easy to assess; find the dates in which he's not supposed to practice law and then check the warrants and court dockets and arrests affidavits to see if he signed them. I'm no attorney, but this would be simple to prove. If he did practice law during the period in question, do the "transactions" count? Can those people who were on the receiving end of Ward's practice sue the State of Florida for lack of enforcement (Malpractice)?

Yes he did

Submitted on Sun, 07/01/2012 - 1:27pm by JackieR
Indictments, filings and instructions usually start with "The State of Florida vs . . ." Some of them state "for and on behalf of (state attorney)". The state delegates its authority to the state prosecutors. All cases are filed under the State Attorney's authority. Any case filed during those five weeks were under his authority - which is by definition, practicing law.

You are a a bothersome flea!

Submitted on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 7:05am
This was a minor issue which was obviously taken care of. People like you would complain to the Governor if they did not like the toilet paper they bought. Some thing about your rear being to delicate to use any thing less than Charmin! You protest like a little girl. waa waa waa! IDIOT!

Fleas are what the law is all about

Submitted on Sat, 06/30/2012 - 9:23pm by JackieR
He is not eligible to run. This is what he would prosecute others for. Name calling does not negate the law. We should hold office holders to their minimum standards which he does not meet.

Vogel would prosecute

Submitted on Sun, 06/24/2012 - 8:25am by Fairvalues
Druckemiller "If she had the evidence to do so", but accuses Ward of a failure to prosecute while he is still gathering ALL the evidence. Keep fighting corruption, vote for Ward.

Not a Bubba

Submitted on Sun, 06/24/2012 - 7:53am by -
The choice here is simple. If you want the States Attorney to prosecute public corruption then vote for Dennis Ward, if you want them to sweep it under the rug then don't vote for Dennis Ward.

The New Bubbas

Submitted on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 10:02am by _+_
The new "bubba system" is a mix of people who are from here and who are not from here. MOST are not from here. The original bubba system is long gone. What you need to be afraid of are the wolves wearing the sheep's clothing - hiding behind the fact that they aren't a "bubba".

"Nuevo Bubbas" are running Key West...

Submitted on Tue, 06/26/2012 - 9:59am
Yes, the outsiders are in charge, and what a huge mess they've made.

Actually your wrong!

Submitted on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 5:53pm
Vogel represents what was bad in Key West. The ones backing her are the Randy Acevedo fans who still believe it was Monique who did him in. Randy was indicted by a grand Jury and successfully prosecuted by Key Westers. These fools actually believe that if Vogel gets elected that she will get Randy Acevedo's triple felonies overturned! Then they think he will sue to get his job as School Superintendent back! Even his little sunny Booker thinks he give her her over paid bloated do nothing job back! If it were people not from here they would be carpet baggers! New Bubbas! LMAO Dumb very Dumb!!!!

You ought to write books...fiction ones.

Submitted on Tue, 06/26/2012 - 10:02am
You can't really expect to stir up fear in voters to vote for Dennis with these crazy theories? Mr. Ward, please rein in your over zealous supporters like this commentator. You had my vote at "hello".

How can he restrain them

Submitted on Sat, 06/30/2012 - 7:35pm by JackieR
How can he restrain them when he is the one doing the posts?
More Florida Keys Headlines
Coach punched in the face
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Man found floating a mile from bridge
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
New clinic holding its own in dePoo building
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
School's out forever, as doors close for good
Monday, May 20, 2013
6 comments
Taking care of the tiger
Monday, May 20, 2013
BP fraudster wants new trial
Monday, May 20, 2013
3 comments
Available Only in the Electronic Edition
Waterfront board OK's assisted-living project
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 -
City awaits big blue 65-gallon recycle carts
Monday, May 20, 2013 -
Assisted living plan has deadline
Sunday, May 19, 2013 -
Research drone flies over reef
Saturday, May 18, 2013 -
Navy, city to work on pier deal
Friday, May 17, 2013 -
County won't appeal PSC ruling
Thursday, May 16, 2013 -