Florida Keys News
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Ward cites political payback for loss
Vogel sweeps Key West to win Democratic nod for state attorney race
BY GWEN FILOSA Citizen Staff
gfilosa@keysnews.com

As the primary election results rolled in Tuesday night and kicked out State Attorney Dennis Ward after one term, a former Key West city commissioner with the email handle "kwconchbubba@bellsouth.net" reveled in the defeat.

After all, Harry Bethel Sr. explained in an email to Ward, the ousted top prosecutor had gone after his son for pulling lobster traps in 2010.

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Bethel the Bully

Submitted on Sat, 08/18/2012 - 10:01am by Scott
I've watched Harry Bethel act like a school-yard bully while seated at several different daises. Arrogance, belittlement, bellowing and rudeness were among his constant traits.

Little surprise that his children demonstrated the same traits. I'd like to say it's not their fault, they only learned what they were taught.

Yet, I have young nephew who was raised under much worse conditions, and chose not to acquire the despicable traits of his parents. How then can I excuse the behavior of Bethel's children as merely having suffered poor rearing.

Harry, your son was sentenced to jail the first day you decided to raise him in your image.

Do you personally know

Submitted on Tue, 08/21/2012 - 12:22pm by TallahasseeRep
Do you personally know Harry's children? For you to make a blanket statement like this if you do not know them personally lends no credibility to your remarks "How then can I excuse the behavior of Bethel's children as merely having suffered poor rearing"

Karma?

Submitted on Fri, 08/17/2012 - 9:41am by Princess
Yes pretty harsh sentencing for pulling lobster traps... What about the arson case that we never heard anything else about? did his business partner not insist he be charged? That guy is a better man than I could EVER be, I would have made sure that went to the highest level!!! Why isnt SR thanking anyone (like the business partner)or his the BUBBA judge in that case, for his son getting away with arson, if things would have gone as JR planned he would be doing a life sentence for doing what he set out to do to his business partner and his family. So I guess Karma did finally get JR... KARMA works in mysterious ways

Ward payback

Submitted on Fri, 08/17/2012 - 5:15am by Chuck
Key West and Monroe County are a cesspool of uneducated and/or poorly educated, ill mannered, lower class people. Some have money, but, as the old saying goes, "money doesn't buy class". Reading these letters and this, typically, poorly written article is proof. After three years here, I am so happy to be leaving, headed back to civilization and away from you animals.

Bye

Submitted on Fri, 08/17/2012 - 4:13pm by TallahasseeRep
Make sure you pick up your trash before you leave

Good Riddance!!!

Submitted on Fri, 08/17/2012 - 3:45pm by mskeywest
Good Riddance!!!

I

Submitted on Fri, 08/17/2012 - 12:54pm by Sal Gutierrez
Agree whole hardly....move to Hudson. There's a ton of X-Keys people here....Hudson is like the Keys was 25 years ago. We talk about how the Keys were all the time.

I found myself in a position

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 9:21pm by John
I found myself in a position where I had to "kiss" Harry's ass and ask for a favor, it worked but it left a bad taste. Politics in the Keys is second to none in the world.

Ward is right.

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 6:49pm by Chi Chi
The voters paid him back.

Email

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 5:33pm by Exasperated
The email name says it all. I am so glad this man can no longer produce children. Sad values.

Really?? None of you can

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 4:17pm by Baby Ginger
Really?? None of you can read nor have any brains!! Mr. Bethel has stated over and over again to everyone everywhere that his son was NOT properly SENTENCED!!! NOT improperly found guilty of a crime!! I don't think he has once said my son is innocent or guilty! I believe the message he is sending is the punishment does NOT fit the crime. A trap molester does not belong in prison for one year let alone three with murderers and child molesters. PERIOD!!! Yes I am a conch, too many generations to count! And would feel the same if it were Joe Blow from Anywhere!!!

trap theft is robbery

Submitted on Fri, 08/17/2012 - 3:02pm by trapper
what would you expect the sentence would be if someone broke into your home and robbed it? or your place of work? it's the same thing, theft with no regard for the victim, the victim could have children also; where is the consideration there ? 3 years works for me 3 years of not worrying about who is in my traps.

Typical Ward

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 4:01pm by TallahasseeRep
Always looking to get his name in the papers...Instead of keeping this between harry and himself he runs right to the citizen....This is why he got ousted all he cares about is himself and his name in the press.

Ward

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 2:27pm by Cool
Get over it Ward move on I really liked you until the County Scandal. I don't like what happen but why only the IT person? County Administrator should be gone plus all the others.

Exactly

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 4:26pm by Accountability
That's what concerned me, who is Ward protecting. This should have been all over the papers like the Acevedo scandal. Anyone who bought one of those should be in trouble. Thievery in all forms should be prosecuted.

Scandal

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 6:04pm by Cool
Let's be real here the only person he went after was Druckemiller. Is this fair? Hell no!!! You should be ashamed Ward.

Druckemiller

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 9:03pm by Sal Gutierrez
is the original ***

Open

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 8:08pm by Exasperated
The new State Attorney should immediately open the case and prosecute everyone involved.

Open?

Submitted on Sat, 08/18/2012 - 10:40am by Fairvalues
The New State Attorney will plea out Druckmiller to no jail time and she'll keep her pension. That will be the end of it.

Druckemiller a conch I hear

Submitted on Sat, 08/18/2012 - 7:56am by Sal Gutierrez
So.... Posters on this venue (who appear to be the same) would suggest that see would be given special attention under the new regime.... am I right? All I know is if I bought one of those I-phones I would be wearing an orange jumpsuit by now.

The Investigation isn't over

Submitted on Sun, 08/19/2012 - 9:40am by Fairvalues
She testified at the Grand Jury hoping to get a great "Deal". Her Attorney put out the story she would, hoping Ward wouldn't get re-elected. A lot of people fell for it. The "Deal" he was giving is Jail time and loss of pension. She won't get Jail or lose her pension from either Vogel or Kohl. Now that Vogel or Kohl will get in whatever comes form further investigation will be ignored. BTW, even you wouldn't be arrested for buying one of those I-phones if you didn't know it was a crooked deal. I'd like to know why Heather thought it might be and didn't report it.

What is wrong with you people?

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 2:24pm by Cruz
Do you enjoy our local politics being the laughing stock of Florida? Just when someone was starting to do something about the corrupt politics down here and going after the public officials that steal from all of us, you answer by voting him out? And what for? To vote in the same old corruption we got rid of 4 years ago? Seriously, what is wrong with you people? Are you even aware that Ward was starting a federal prosecution program, cross certifying one of his star performers? You whine and cry about the bubba system, unfair politics, and poke and stab at corrupt officials, but then you say no, get out. Wow. And for the rest of you registered Democrats, yea you, the 70% that didn't vote, you can only blame yourselves. You did this county a very severe injustice. Standby by 4 years of corruption with no consequences.

Exactly!

Submitted on Mon, 08/20/2012 - 10:07am by Kiki
Cruz- so right!!

Immaturity in Print

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 2:19pm by Common Sense
Thank you Mr. Bethel! By writing this letter, we now all understand how your son became a PRISONER OF THE STATE. He was raised by an ignorant and vengeful person. I actually feel a little sorry for Jr. He probably doesn't even know how to take responsibiliy for his actions, obviously he wasn't raised with any values. I hope writing that email made daddy feel better, because his son is still going to be a theiving, lying, felon FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE. And KARMA, thats what Jr. is getting in prison.

back atcha

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 8:24pm by badb!tch
Talk about emails making people feel better...hypocrite...look at you writing an email just to make you feel better, I mean come on. And how about your precious Dictator Dennis Ward, he ain't nothing but a bully a media monger...most of his employees quit because he is an evil human being like I said a bully, these people were at the State's office for years, then he tried to bully the Judges but that got shot down quick!!!! Huh Dennis..you know which one I am talking about. Then the Conch families, sure Harry Jr. got found guilty of two lobsters in a trap, but does that call for 3 years in Florida's worst prison...I mean whats RIGHT is RIGHT!!!! I get it you do a crime you do the time...but I know that if Jr was not a conch from a great family, he wouldn't have gotten that...but hey BRAVO Ward, you got your name in the paper and a picture of your fat face. And I bet you didn't know that the Almighty Ward drops cases of his friends/family. Oh yeah and I bet you didn't know that for three months, just recently, Ward let his Attny license expire so he and all of the asst state attny's were practicing under someone w/out a licence. HMMMMMMMMM....that is not allowed...check in to that one...quite the story!!! And what about Ferro he is a murderer out on bond..I know Dennis is not the prosecutor on this one, but he sure did get his Miami boys on it..so we lost a beautiful young man and the self proclaimed murderer is home with his family..I guess that is right too huh???Let me not forget all of the local attny's that he bullied as well....you know the State Attny position is to provide justice and fairness...your boy Ward hardly did that...but as I said as long as he got a stint on a radio show, pic in the papers...he "did his job". Oh yeah and FYI I am not a conch, but I and my children are part of a conch family and we couldn't be prouder of HARRY BETHEL SR!!!!Tell him how it is.(almost remind me of a bright young brilliant person I know (; I am glad Karma is a BITCH cause Ward got what he deserved a kick in the ass right out of that position...what are you gonna do...aint that right Dennis...you know what Im sayin!!!!! Well with all of this being said...I have this left nana na na...nana na na...hey hey hey...GOODBYE DENNIS WARD!!! Oh yeah p.s...this is for all of you that are talking smack about Jr...the man is not here to defend himself or at that to respond...so seriously stop it is very unattractive....ok well chew on this for a bit and comment back at me later...i could just go on forever....smooches!!! xx

You're an Idiot

Submitted on Fri, 08/17/2012 - 8:49pm by NativeConch67
And a Conch-wannabe. Just because your offspring married into a Conch family doesn't make you a Conch. Go back to what ever cesspool you migrated from.

Ward

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 2:01pm by mskeywest
Ward the People just decided that you were not the person for the State Attorney's office and you really proved that with your radio interview today. The Butlers did not ruin the trial and they are the victims not you! You didn't reveal that you were friends with the defense attorneys but dismissed yourself from this trial because of a family member I the Butlers that works in your office. You lost fair and square now you can support the Ferro family in the open!!!!

key west is the banana republic....

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 1:44pm by UPPERKEYSTER
boy, Key West has again done a great job in loving and electing crap, a personal that is a proven failure??? she blew the baby lollipop case, the Acevedo case, has tons of miss conduct by her assistants, and her supporters are the elite lawyer scum of key west. and don't start crying about Acevedo either.... he did what he did, stole from us and our kids and the bubbas are/were mad that WARD got him... just disgraceful, you guys are retarded, she's not even one of your own, she's from Miami,and incompetent, at least in WARD there was someone who would take on the big names in town, not just the typical robbery assault crap case that a 2 year old could prosecute. you will all be screaming and crying for him to return.... that is of course, unless you like the inside cronyism and corruption

Ward lost for many reasons

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 1:41pm by KW Since 85
Ward has been a one man Crusader on the war on drugs. Citizens know what is going on elsewhere in the state. While the Governor's office is looking at re-structuring marijuana sentencing and policy, and efforts across the state are moving medicinal use of marijuana forward at full steam, while many prosecutors are seeking a $200. fine for a misdemeanor marijuana offense Ward's office demands 1 year probation with random drug testing for the same offense. While other prosecutors have dropped charges against patients across the state and in Key West Prior to Ward, his office has prosecuted every patient. Where is the equal justice? Not with Ward! Why does a woman sit in Monroe County Detention Center for what was an open container of coffee? Because she speaks with a german accent and her English is not so good, no one would listen to her. With Ward as a prosecutor case are pushed through the court like an assembly line. Where is the equal justice. Why was a woman in jail for 20 days for being on the beach at 11:40 at night? The results are seen in local law enforcement, everything gets arrested. Let the courts figure it out because Ward's office prosecutes everything. Yet did his office verify a defendant's story about being in the military and in special ops so he couldn't talk about where he was when he was out of town? A couch in Crystal River is a far call from special ops. Lives have been damaged over minor things that would never have been prosecuted elsewhere. We may live on an island but we still have the right to be heard in court and have equal justice. Ward's office has been a strong arm of plea deals with hard threats. The folks of Monroe county deserve a State Attorney with compassion. We are not pickins for the prison industrial complex, we are people.

Congratulations

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 12:28pm by Sick of Corruption
to all of those who worked tirelessly for what they believe in. Good always prevails. Congratulations. Also want to thank the Ramsay boys for giving out the water to everyone. They showed real class. Thanks!!

Dennis

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 10:23am by wow
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA you need to get a grip dude, YOU LOST!!! FAIR AND SQUARE!!!!!

When will Gwen realize

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 10:12am by wow
she hitched her wagon to a total loser!!! Maybe Gwen should do some research and INVESTIGATE before she writes such slanted articles.

So true

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 8:13pm by BetsC
I wish the editors would put reporting on the front page & keep opinion where it belongs!

DENNIS WARD MEDIA PROSTITUTE

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 10:09am by Inner Circle
Love it!! Totally true. Guess you use the media when you litigating skills are not what they should be. Dennis let so many cases settle and only worried about those in the headlines.

Thanks Eddie Perez

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 10:06am by Inner Circle
for getting us a new boss. Maybe now the Key West hanky panky in the office by two over paid prosecutors will stop.

Harry's perverse view of Karma

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 10:05am by Rabbi Flanagan
Karma doesn't begin and end with one individual or act. If Karma was responsible for Ward's defeat, it was also responsible for Harry Bethel Jr's conviction. In fact... Karma is responsible for the misery that Harry Bethel writes is in his family's life.

Very Interesting that Ward would be against Bubba

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 10:03am by interesting
since he was well connected to McPhearson, Digennario, the Spottswoods and Barry Barroso and he had the media working for him too. He may try to say it was the Key West Bubbas that kicked him out but in reality, Ward is just as Bubba as any of the others. I heard a collective WAAAAAAA coming from northside drive. Their media whore got his walking papers and there will be no more trying the cases in the press. WAAAAAAAAA.

Ward Takes Unprofessionalism to New Level

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 10:02am by lglg
How dare Dennis Ward speak to a defendant's family that way. He should be above that--clearly he's not. I wonder how the Florida Bar would view his conduct.

WARD'S BUBBA CONNECTIONS

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 9:57am by Largo Sensibility
DENNIS WARD MADE POLITICAL DEALS THAT HE HAD HOPED TO BENEFIT FROM. Anyone remember the Aqueduct Job Fix Scandal? Rumor is that in exchange for dropping the investigation, Barry Barroso, was to work on Ward's Campaign, which he did. Barry is the brother of the woman who got the job she was not qualified for. Dennis also had help from the Spottswoods, Morgan McPhearson and Mario Digennaro used his "muscle" in favor of Dennis.

"Closed primary" cost Ward the election

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 9:56am by trapper
and a very organized bad bubba cadre. Who would have thought that there were that many ex cheerleaders ? Why did they organize ? To prevent being eventually found to be involved with the pervasive corruption among the group ? Mr. Bethel certainly showed his true colors and maturity with his tirade , that of a 12 year old mentality who can't progress beyond high school. Sorry Mr Bethel , but your son got what he deserved being found guilty of trap robbing. Where did he learn that entitled persona from ? Did you set the example ? That if you are connected you can get away with anything? Ward was turning your world inside out, and it is needed. Hopefully he will prosecute all involved in the Druckmiller case, only Carruthers did the right thing there , the rest should get a room with your son.

Ward vs Bethel

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 9:48am by lobzilla
What a zinger Ward finished with. Thanks for your service to this community. Perhaps Bethel should read Florida Statute 1379.367. He will find the rules for lobstering that do not include the words "except for the Bethel family"

karma for sure

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 9:11am by potts
The citizens of Key West apparently just talk about how bad the "bubba" system is. They really don't want to change it. Harry Bethel, Sr's campaign against Ward says it all. We finally had someone who wasn't afraid to go after corruption and you guys throw him out of office. It makes me want to vomit. The Karma to those of you who voted against Ward and unfortunately to the rest of us, will be more money flowing out of the public's hands and into the private pockets of local hacks.

Agreed!

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 12:44pm by Cruz
You are exactly right and the desire to vomit cannot be overstated. There are times when I am very disappointed with the choices of my neighbors, and this is certainly one of them. I don't even know Ward, but I do know Vogel (unfortunately). Bad choice Monroe County. Very disappointing.

Ward wins, Bethel loses.

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 9:04am by Tarpley
Hey, Ward, go to the beach, sleep late, enjoy life, do whatever you feel like doing. Hey, Bethel, go see your convicted son in jail for the next few years. (Karma is a bitch, isn't it?)

Dennis look @ Ron Saunders

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 8:52am by Sal Gutierrez
Even the Bubbas lose....Go Bullard!!!!!!!!!

True.

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 8:58pm
These poster can't seem to make up their minds. The local conchs took out Ward, really? That logic doesn't work. Ron is a bubba for sure. Loved and worshiped by the local conch community and what's wrong with that? Do you think the demo-liberal Conchs can give Bullard their votes now that Ron is out? I think it's too much like the Hatfields and McCoys--but Bullard will ride the Obama wave. I'm voting Republican down the line so can't help him there.

Hey sal why don't you do us

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 11:44am by Working girl
Hey sal why don't you do us all a favor & SHUT UP! I do believe you are mighty obsessed with Mr. Saunders.. But it's ok, I guess I would be to if I challenged him time after time and he completely anialated me!!!!!!

Yeap Your're right about that.......

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 1:40pm by Sal Gutierrez
Mattson screwed me out of money and I got him....Old Ron screwed me too...I don't get mad..I get even...Ron spent $14.00 a vote and lost..I spent $1.80 a vote and lost....Who got annihilated?....I would have walked through fire to help that man but he let me down many years ago..And as far as shutting up...That's not happening big girl.

Even?

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 1:16pm by Working girl
I don't believe you'll ever be even with Mr. Saunders. I'm pretty sure his track record speaks volumes alone. As for the price per vote- what a ridiculous comment! Seems like everywhere but some in Dade all agree on who would make the best senator.. Ron!!!!!

Ron's done

Submitted on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 3:20pm by Sal Gutierrez
The only Senator in his future is a Penn Senator Reel on a 6 foot rod.....
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