For the record, we have the utmost respect for Ben Kuehne.  His superior legal expertise makes him one of the most sought after attorneys in South Florida.  And seek they do.

Be it civil servants who are wrongly accused and wrongly fired, or politicians caught doing what comes naturally, Ben Kuehne’s is the first number they dial.

Although we may have zero respect for some of his clients, we still respect their right to the best legal representation they can afford … as long as taxpayers aren’t footing the bill.

We can’t help but wonder, however, how Frantz Pierre of all people, who literally stole $2,500.00 from a church, can afford such a top notch attorney.

You will recall that on January 17, 2018, the fraudulently “re-elected” Faux Commissioner was removed from office after his refusal to attend Commission meetings for a consecutive 120 days.

Thirty minutes after the March 20, 2018 North Miami Beach Commission meeting was called to order, the unseated Faux Commissioner Frantz “Weasel” Pierre showed up, strolled onto the dais, and sat in his former chair as if he were an elected official.

Then again, for nearly a decade he’s been occupying that seat on the dais as if he were legitimately re-elected.  So nothing surprises.

Suddenly, Mayor Vallejo interrupted the discussion of a proposed resolution (at minute 34:22 of the meeting video) to call a recess so he can speak with City Attorney Jose Smith.  They both promptly rose from the dais and left the room.  The video ended at that point, but we were advised that upon their return, the meeting was adjourned.

What the public didn’t know at the time was that the day before the meeting, Ben Kuehne filed an Amended Emergency Verified Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief, and to Prohibit Removal of and/or to Reinstate Frantz Pierre as a Duly elected North Maimi [sic] Beach Commissioner.

Yeah, that was a mouthful.  Basically, this Amended Complaint reiterated the verbiage in his original Complaint, and added nine more pages of legal stuff.  It was also “verified” by his client, Frantz Pierre, who miraculously recovered from his “quadruple bypass major heart surgery” long enough to sign the document.

Kuehne also filed an Amended Emergency Motion for Temporary Injunctive Relief similar to the Emergency Motion for Temporary Injunctive Relief filed on February 22, 2018, but this one was also “verified” by his client.

Before the Judge had a chance to rule on Kuehne’s Motion, the equally brilliant Stephen Hunter Johnson, Esq. of the Brickell Avenue international law firm of Lydecker | Diaz, which represents the City of North Miami Beach in this frivolous lawsuit, filed a Motion for Order to Show Cause on March 21, 2018, the day after the truncated commission meeting.

This Motion acknowledged that a Court Order dated February 23, 2018 prohibited the City from appointing a replacement Commissioner, but it also noted that Kuehne’s “Motion never sought to restore Pierre to the vacant Commission seat.”  It also stated that “the Amended Motion acknowledges that Plaintiff was, and is, aware that this Court never restored Plaintiff to the vacant seat.”

Johnson’s Motion also explained that by interrupting the Commission meeting, Frantzie forced the City to “recess its meeting, leaving its business incomplete.”

In addition, when politely asked by the Chief of Police to step down from the dais, Frantzie “adamantly refused.  Amazingly, Plaintiff told the Police that his attorney told him to disrupt the Commission meeting in this way.”

Whoa!  Way to throw your lawyer under the bus!

We find it impossible to believe that Ben Kuehne would advise any client to purposely disrupt a Commission meeting.  Surely by now, he has to know that his client is a pathological liar, among other things.

Nevertheless, taking Frantzie’s comment at face value, the Motion for Order to Show Cause closed with, “The irrefutable inference is that Plaintiff is deliberately attempting to disrupt the operation of the City and in engaging in improper self-help.  To do so is a violation of this Court’s February 22, 2018 Order and a violation of Florida Statutes Chapter 119 and his knowing actions, facilitated and encouraged by his attorney are cause to be held in contempt.”

At this point, we can’t help but wonder if Ben Kuehne is rethinking his decision to represent the Weasel from Hell.

Just saying.

In response to Johnson’s Motion, Circuit Court Judge Dennis J. Murphy entered an Order Granting a Stand Still of the Parties, which states, “The Parties agree that, while it is Plaintiff’s position that he remains a Commissioner, during the pendency of this action, Commissioner Pierre shall not act as a Commissioner and shall not sit on the dais during Commission meetings, unless or until Court Order otherwise.”

BOOM!

In the meantime, get your popcorn ready.

Watch Frantzie pull the same stunt at the upcoming City Commission Workshop on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at 5:00 pm.

Watch Frantzie get arrested.

Hey, a girl can dream, right?

Stephanie