When is a law firm not a law firm?

Apparently, it all depends on Joseph S. Geller’s definition of the word “is.”

Joe’s been scurrying around North Miami City Hall like a rat, trying to snag the position of City Attorney for his firm, Greenspoon Marder.  He’s made it perfectly clear that despite his continuous duties in Tallahassee as a Florida State Representative, his firm is chock full of lawyers who would be at the disposal of the Mayor and Council around the clock.

And yet, when it comes to defending North Miami Beach “Councilwoman” Phyllis Smith against an absentee ballot fraud lawsuit, Joe claims to be a lone wolf.

Consider the irony.

Joe claims that his firm can provide a bevy of legal beagles to attend to the needs of an the sixth largest municipality in Miami-Dade County.  Yet, somehow he’s the only lawyer in the entire firm of Greenspoon Marder capable of litigating the Michael Joseph v. Phyllis Smith lawsuit regarding the systemic  absentee ballot fraud in North Miami Beach.

Since Michael Joseph filed this lawsuit in order to preserve the integrity of our elections, the bedrock of our democratic system, it should have been heard as soon after the May 19, 2015 runoff election as possible, and surely within two or three months of its filing.  By abusing his position as a State Representative, Joe Geller has been able to drag this case on for nearly seven months and counting.

Joe was able to suspend all court hearings due to three Special Sessions of the Legislature.  The first was held from June 1, 2015 to June 20, 2015, the second from August 10, 2015 to August 21, 2015, and the third from October 19, 2015 to November 6, 2015.

For all three Special Sessions, Joe filed Notices of Mandatory Continuance, excusing him from County Court procedures not only during each session, but also an ADDITIONAL FIFTEEN DAYS BEFORE AND FIFTEEN DAYS AFTER each one of them, despite the fact that he NEVER EVEN ATTENDED THE SECOND SESSION!

Assuming he didn’t skip out yet again, Joe was supposedly in Tallahassee attending a K-12 Subcommittee meeting from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, and a Business & Professions Subcommittee meeting from 4:00 to 6:00 PM on Wednesday, December 2, 2015.  He also was scheduled to attend an Economic Affairs Committee meeting from 9:00 to 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 3, 2015.

So of course, those meetings prevented him from attending a hearing in Miami-Dade County Court on December 17, 2015.

Because everyone knows it’s not possible to travel from Tally to SoFla in less than sixteen days.

Don’t think for one minute that Phyllis Smith didn’t hire Joe Geller for the purpose of being able to postpone this case indefinitely.  She knew very well that his schedule as a State Representative would help obstruct justice and keep her in power as long as possible.

Yes, she’s THAT  conniving!

And, just in case the judge tries to reschedule that hearing any time soon, Joe filed another one of his famous Notices of Mandatory Continuance because …

“4. The Florida Legislature is scheduled to meet in session from Tuesday, January 12, 2016, through Friday, March 11, 2016, assuming that no extension is required. Accordingly, no matters may be scheduled after December 30, 2015, and the earliest that any matters may be scheduled is Monday, March 28, 2016. The case shall stand continued during that time.”

Isn’t that special?

The good news is that since the Legislature will be in session beginning tomorrow, Joe won’t be able to attend the North Miami City Council meeting, hat in hand, pathetically begging for a seat at the table.

For all his assurances to the Mayor and Council of North Miami that his “firm” can handle the job of City Attorney, Joe Geller’s political promises are why God made little green apples septic trucks.

Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”