PALM BEACH COUNTY
Alleged counterfeiters
Mariana Cordova, 22, and her boyfriend Bernardo Lecaros, 34, both of Delray Beach, were caught with more than 40 counterfeit $100 bills, police said. They came under suspicion after they went to a West Palm Beach Walmart and tried to wire $1,000 to Peru using the fake money, authorities said. A store clerk checked the bills and they all failed a dye test. The clerk called the store manager, who called authorities. Both were arrested on multiple counts of fraud.
DUI chase
A police officer said when he turned on his lights to pull over Sidney Feliu, 21, of Boca Raton, she sped away. A chased ensued and when she finally stopped, officers said, they smelled alcohol. She failed two sobriety tests and told officers she was scared and that’s why she did not pull over. She was booked on charges of DUI and fleeing a police officer.
BROWARD COUNTY
New manager
Greg Cassamajor has been named the new branch manager of the Pompano Beach branch of BrightStar Credit Union. Cassamajor previously worked as an assistant vice president at a TD Bank branch. BrightStar is one of the largest credit unions in South Florida, with more than 54,000 members.
In the race
Attorneys John Contini, Jenny Kinsey and Michelle Inere are candidates for the Group 27 Broward County Circuit Court judge seat. They are seeking to upset incumbent Steve Feren. This race is about to explode and get nasty. Stay tuned.
On the move
Mathes Guice, who, for years, was the head of the Men’s Ministry of Pembroke Park-based Koinonia Worship Center, has left the church. Guice has joined the Worldwide Christian Center church in Pompano Beach, which is pastored by the Rev. O’Neal Dozier.
Schools chief quits
Broward County Schools Police Chief David Golt, 52, has resigned. It’s no secret that Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie was unhappy with Golt. The process for naming a replacement is underway and there will be a flood of resumes forthe coveted position.
Stalking charge
Daniel Wayne Cooley, 23, of North Lauderdale has been charged with cyberstalking after he allegedly sent death threats via email and Facebook to his ex-girlfriend, who lives in Coral Springs. He was being held in lieu of $150,000 bail.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Most powerful
Nikki Lewis Simon has been named to Legacy Miami Magazine’s annual list of the “Most Powerful Black Professionals in Business and Industry.” She is the director of Client Development and Corporate Social Responsibility at the Miami office of the international law firm Greenberg Traurig. She joins some of South Florida’s most iconic civic, political and business leaders on the list.
Data breach
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez is dealing with the fallout of a scam in which hundreds of Miami-Dade County employees’ personal data was compromised. No one is saying how this happened but several employees have said publicly that unemployment claims were opened in their names without their knowledge. The U.S. Department of Labor has joined the investigation.
Organizer arrested
Robert Burr, 57, a Coral Gables businessman and organizer of Rob’s Redland Riot Road Rallye and the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival, has been arrested. He is accused of knocking down his 79-year-old mother, who was knocked unconscious and suffered a broken wrist. The incident occurred when he intervened in a fight between his wife and his mother, police said.
MONROE COUNTY
Card fraud
The Middle Keys is experiencing a rash of fake and fraudulent credit card transactions. A number of people have reported their bank debit cards have been compromised, as well. Authorities are trying to determined why the Keys is being impacted more than other areas of the country.
Zieg running
Dan Zieg, a longtime civic leader, is running for the Marathon City Council. He is currently serving on the Planning Commission and has the support of current Mayor Dick Ramsay and former Councilwoman Ginger Snead. Zieg is also a reserve deputy with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.
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