Posted on September 1st, 2010
Last week, 42-year old Roberto Settineri, an alleged mobster, plead guilty to helping try to cover up Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein’s $1.2 billion fraud. Earlier this year, Rothstein also plead guilty in a federal court in Fort Lauderdale where he was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
Settineri admitted to “engaging in financial transactions to aid the destruction of documents tied to the scheme”. Prosecutors and Settineri were able to come to a plea bargain which leaves him only facing a maximum of four years in prison. Settineri and his lawyers argued that Rothstein had set him up and that he had not intended to commit a crime.
If you or someone you know has been charged with fraud, contact the Boca Raton theft & fraud lawyers of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. at 561-353-2800 to learn more about your rights.
Posted on August 11th, 2010
47-year old former Venice Elementary School teacher Diana O’Neill was charged with abusing mentally disabled students in 2008 but was acquitted after trial. Parents and support staff say they either witnessed or heard reports of her hitting profoundly mentally disabled children in the school’s special education department over the head with water bottles, kicking a student, and pulling on another student’s lip.
Now, despite being sanctioned by the court, O’Neill will be keeping her teaching certificate and returning to teaching. In a settlement with Florida’s state education department, O’Neill will serve two years of probation, pay $500, and receive a letter of reprimand. In exchange, O’Neill will be able to return to the classroom, but will be prohibited from working with students with communication disorders.
The Superintendent of the district has stated that O’Neill will not be returning to Venice Elementary School.
If you or someone you know has been charged with battery, contact the Boca Raton assault & battery lawyers of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. at 561-353-2800 to learn more about your rights.
Posted on July 8th, 2010
50-year old Avery Shawn Hinds was arrested on charges of driving under the influence with serious bodily injury and hit-and run. At the time of the accident, Hind’s driver’s license had been suspended twelve times and he was driving with an indefinitely suspended license. He was booked in the Palm Beach County jail on Sunday with a $6,000 bond.
Police reports say that Hinds was driving his 1998 Ford Mustang when he first hit a Chevrolet Malibu and fled onto Yamato Road. The driver of the Malibu followed him and in his attempts to flee Hinds rear-ended a 1994 Toyota Celica driven by Linda Gandav. Gandav suffered bleeding on the brain after the accident. Hinds was taken to West Boca Medical Center for minor face injuries where police officials say he showed signs of being drunk.
Blood test results revealed Hind’s blood alcohol content to be at .172 and .173 after the accident. The legal limit for BAC in Florida is .08.
After the accident, Hinds stated, “It was road rage. I was being chased by somebody else … The next thing I know I ran into this lady taking a turn … I’m sorry. That’s all I can say. It wasn’t done intentionally”.
If you or someone you know has been charged with driving under the influence, contact the Boca Raton DUI lawyers of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. at 561-353-2800 to learn more about your rights.
