Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Information wanted on the Death of E. Lakie Miller: being esteemed meant an donation to the PBA and ot...
Information wanted on the Death of E. Lakie Miller: being esteemed meant an donation to the PBA and ot...: We could not get the Sheriff Department to investigate Lakie Millers death. On the phone we were threaten that this Alan Kauffman was an es...
Update being esteemed meant an donation to the PBA and others.Pay for Play
We could not get the Sheriff Department to investigate Lakie Millers death. On the phone we were threaten that this Alan Kauffman was an esteemed attorney and that they were not going after an esteemed attorney. Little did we know that being esteemed meant an donation to the PBA and others like Charlie Crist. When I called Charlie Crists office and asked how do I get a picture like the one below I was hung up on. Charlie is a pay for favors kind of guy and that is illegal. It is illegal for Alan C Kauffman to happen to drop this picture on a Magistrates desk or a Judges desk. And that is a pay for favors or Pay for Play. 
Established in 1972, the Florida Police Benevolent Association, Inc. (PBA) is a politically proactive labor organization that represents law enforcement officers in negotiations for wages, benefits and terms of their employment. We give law enforcement officers a voice in the day-to-day affairs of their agencies and we fight to win them better pay, benefits and working conditions.
Our goal is to provide law enforcement officers with a strong and effective voice before legislative and local government bodies.
Times have changed since 1972, but Florida PBA continues to furnish the best, most effective representation possible.
United we can set and accomplish even greater goals!
Contributions Query Results About the Campaign Finance Data Base If all contributions for a reporting period are less than 1 dollar they may not be displayed. |
- Search Criteria:
- Detail of Committees
- Election Year: All
- Committee Type: All
- With Payee Last Name Starts With: kauffman
- Contributor Starting Date: 01/01/2000
- Contributor Ending Date: 09/02/2016
Candidate/Committee Date Amount Typ Contributor Name Address City State Zip Occupation Inkind Desc
-------------------------------------------------- ---------- ---------------- --- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- -------------------- --------------------
Fla PBA Law & Order PAC (PAC) 05/29/2012 0.25 CHE KAUFFMAN ALAN 300 EAST BREVARD STREET TALLAHASSEE, FL 32301
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Total: 0.25
Individual Contributions Arranged By Type, Giver, Then Recipient
Contributions to All Other Political Committees Except Joint Fundraising Committees |
| Contributor Name | City | State | ZIP Code | Employer | Occupation | Committee Name | Transaction Date | Amount | Image Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KAUFFMAN, ALAN | BOCA RATON | FL | 33431 | SELF | ATTORNEY | SPECTER, ARLEN VIA CITIZENS FOR ARLEN SPECTER | 10/25/2007 | 500.00 | 28020324148 |
| KAUFFMAN, ALAN | BOCA RATON | FL | 33486 | SELF/ATTORNEY | SHAW, E CLAY JR VIA FRIENDS OF CLAY SHAW | 10/30/2002 | 300.00 | 23990101571 | |
| KAUFFMAN, ALAN C | BOCA RATON | FL | 33486 | ALAN C KAUFFMAN & ASSOC | NELSON, BILL VIA BILL NELSON FOR U S SENATE | 10/08/2002 | 250.00 | 23020072789 | |
| KAUFFMAN, ALAN C | BOCA RATON | FL | 33486 | ATTORNEY | MARGOLIES-MEZVINSKY, MARJORIE VIA MMM FOR SENATE (MARJORIE MARGOLIES-MEZVINSKY) | 10/18/1999 | 500.00 | 20020090744 | |
| KAUFFMAN, ALAN C | BOCA RATON | FL | 33486 | ATTORNEY | WEXLER, ROBERT VIA ROBERT WEXLER FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE | 11/17/1997 | 250.00 | 98032714562 | |
| KAUFFMAN, ALAN C | BOCA RATON | FL | 33486 | ATTORNEY | WEXLER, ROBERT VIA ROBERT WEXLER FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE | 12/28/1999 | 500.00 | 20035204309 | |
| KAUFFMAN, ALAN C | BOCA RATON | FL | 33486 | ATTORNEY | WEXLER, ROBERT VIA ROBERT WEXLER FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE | 11/06/2000 | 250.00 | 20036631995 | |
| KAUFFMAN, ALAN C | BOCA RATON | FL | 33486 | KAUFFMAN & SCHWARTZ | MACK, CONNIE VIA FRIENDS OF CONNIE MACK | 11/24/1998 | 500.00 | 99020021205 | |
| KAUFFMAN, ALAN C ESQ | BOCA RATON | FL | 33487 | ATTORNEY | SPECTER, ARLEN VIA CITIZENS FOR ARLEN SPECTER | 02/11/2004 | 500.00 | 24020220271 | |
| KAUFFMAN, ALAN C MR. | BOCA RATON | FL | 33486 | ALAN C KAUFFMAN | OWNER | NRCC | 03/03/2003 | 300.00 | 24991201864 |
| KAUFFMAN, ALAN C. | BOCA RATON | FL | 33486 | SELF | ATTORNEY | WEXLER, ROBERT VIA ROBERT WEXLER FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE | 05/09/2007 | 500.00 | 10990600290 |
| KAUFFMAN, ALAN C. | BOCA RATON | FL | 33486 | SELF | ATTORNEY | WEXLER, ROBERT VIA ROBERT WEXLER FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE | 05/20/2007 | 500.00 | 10990600291 |
| KAUFFMAN, ALAN C. | BOCA RATON | FL | 33486 | SELF/ATTORNEY | WEXLER, ROBERT VIA ROBERT WEXLER FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE | 05/09/2001 | 500.00 | 21990351287 | |
| KAUFFMAN, ALAN C. MR. | BOCA RATON | FL | 33431 | BECKER & POLIAKOFF | ATTORNEY | GIULIANI, RUDOLPH W VIA RUDY GIULIANI PRESIDENTIAL COMMITTEE INC | 05/15/2007 | 1000.00 | 28990962130 |
| KAUFFMAN, ALAN C. MR. | BOCA RATON | FL | 33432 | SELF-EMPLOYED | ATTORNEY | MCCAIN, JOHN S. VIA JOHN MCCAIN 2008 INC. | 05/12/2008 | 1000.00 | 13941029919 |
| KAUFFMAN, C ALAN ESQUIRE | BOCA RATON | FL | 33486 | ALAN C KAUFFMAN & ASSOC | NELSON, BILL VIA BILL NELSON FOR U S SENATE | 12/15/1999 | 500.00 | 20020070591 | |
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Information wanted on the Death of E. Lakie Miller: Ladies beware Alan Charles Kauffman is on Match. C...
Information wanted on the Death of E. Lakie Miller: Ladies beware Alan Charles Kauffman is on Match. C...: Ladies beware Alan Charles Kauffman is on Match. Com looking for his next wife victim. His first wife ran for her life to Chicago. He has ha...
Information wanted on the Death of E. Lakie Miller: ALAN CHARLES KAUFFMAN USES POLITICIANS SUCH AS CHA...
Information wanted on the Death of E. Lakie Miller: ALAN CHARLES KAUFFMAN USES POLITICIANS SUCH AS CHA...: After many years of connecting the dots we know Elizabeth Lakie Miller was murdered The Sheriff department of Palm Beach has too many hole...
Ladies beware Alan Charles Kauffman is on Match. Com looking for his next wife victim.
Ladies beware Alan Charles Kauffman is on Match. Com looking for his next wife victim. His first wife ran for her life to Chicago. He has had 4 wives 3 divorces and one annulment that we know of.
- About
- Photos 4
- Our History
His Details
Loving, loyal and conciliatory
Relationship:
Divorced
Have kids:
Yes, and they live away from home ( 3 )
Want kids:
No, but it's OK if my partner has kids
Ethnicity:
White / Caucasian
Body type:
Athletic and toned
Height:
5' 10" (177.8cms)
Faith:
Jewish
Smoke:
No Way
Drink:
Social Drinker
In his own words
Attractive, loyal & considerate. She can relax in bed or on the go. I am a trial atty & still active.
His Interests
Business networking, Coffee and conversation, Fishing/ Hunting, Movies/ Videos, Museums and art,Music and concerts, Travel/ Sightseeing, Watching sports
Sports & Exercise
Football, Golf, Hockey, Inline skating, Swimming, Tennis / Racquet sports, Weights / Machines
Exercise 3-4 times per week
Political views
Middle of the Road
More about him
| Him | What he is looking for | |
| Appearance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Height: | 5' 10" (177.8cms) | 5' 0" (152.4cms) to 5' 7" (170.18cms) |
| Body type: | Athletic and toned | About average, Athletic and toned, Curvy |
| Eyes: | Blue | No preference |
| Hair: | Salt and pepper | No preference |
| Lifestyle | ||
| Smoke: | No Way | No Way |
| Drink: | Social Drinker | Social Drinker |
| Occupation: | Legal | No preference |
| Income: | $150,001+ | $35,001 to $50,000 |
| Relationship: | Divorced | Widow / Widower, Divorced |
| Have kids: | Yes, and they live away from home | Yes, and they live away from home |
| Want kids: | No, but it's OK if my partner has kids | No |
| Background | ||
| Ethnicity: | White / Caucasian | White / Caucasian |
| Faith: | Jewish | Spiritual but not religious |
| Languages: | English | English |
| Education: | PhD / Post Doctoral | Bachelors degree |
ALAN CHARLES KAUFFMAN USES POLITICIANS SUCH AS CHARLIE CRIST TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER
After many years of connecting the dots we know Elizabeth Lakie Miller was murdered
The Sheriff department of Palm Beach has too many holes in their own story
1. We know Elizabeth Miller was placed into the Homewood Residence of Boca Raton
2. We know from the Home they do not have a Hospice
3. We know from the Home she was removed by a "Daughter" when she only had one child Jordan M. Miller
4. We know that all the attorneys were lying and pointing the fingers to her daughter in law who did not know know the whereabouts of her mother in law
5 We know her "daughter, son, and her daughters children " removed all the furniture that was paid for with Estate checks of her late Husband
6.We know her body was taken directly to the funeral home since the Homes procedure in a death is to call the sheriff department and have a coroner to check the body Which wasn't done OR the body is taken to the local hospital to be pronounced dead and again checked for fowl play The doctor they claimed signed the death certificate office has no record of her as a patient dead or alive.
7. We know from neighbors at the residence of the Schlangers Elizabeth Lakie Miller was seen there days before she died. And the Schlangers children proclaimed they were "not happy with Lakie " living there and were forced to call her "GRANNY" for the money.
The Sheriff department of Palm Beach has too many holes in their own story
1. We know Elizabeth Miller was placed into the Homewood Residence of Boca Raton
2. We know from the Home they do not have a Hospice
3. We know from the Home she was removed by a "Daughter" when she only had one child Jordan M. Miller
4. We know that all the attorneys were lying and pointing the fingers to her daughter in law who did not know know the whereabouts of her mother in law
5 We know her "daughter, son, and her daughters children " removed all the furniture that was paid for with Estate checks of her late Husband
6.We know her body was taken directly to the funeral home since the Homes procedure in a death is to call the sheriff department and have a coroner to check the body Which wasn't done OR the body is taken to the local hospital to be pronounced dead and again checked for fowl play The doctor they claimed signed the death certificate office has no record of her as a patient dead or alive.
7. We know from neighbors at the residence of the Schlangers Elizabeth Lakie Miller was seen there days before she died. And the Schlangers children proclaimed they were "not happy with Lakie " living there and were forced to call her "GRANNY" for the money.
BUT ALAN CHARLES KAUFFMAN USES POLITICIANS SUCH AS CHARLIE CRIST TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER LIKE HILLARY CLINTON DOES.
Friday, September 2, 2016
Information wanted on the Death of E. Lakie Miller: Alan C Kauffman helps Muslims sheikdown a Florida ...
Information wanted on the Death of E. Lakie Miller: Alan C Kauffman helps Muslims sheikdown a Florida ...: Alan C Kauffman helps Muslims Sheikdown a Florida Denny's in 2005 Sheikdown: FL Denny's calls Muslim men's $28 ml claim...
Alan C Kauffman helps Muslims sheikdown a Florida Denny's in 2005
Alan C Kauffman helps Muslims Sheikdown a Florida Denny's in 2005
Sheikdown: FL Denny's calls Muslim men's $28 ml claim over Bin Laden remarks "baseless" - Both sides issue press releases
Muslim accuser demanding millions declares - "we're a group of very responsible guys"
May 2, 2005
May 2, 2005
MIM: Lawyer Alan Kauffman called this case : "A terrible act against Arab Americans". The plaintiffs (notably a Ehab Albarabi ), cited the responses to his inquiry as to why he and his friends order was taking so long (which caused them $28 million dollars worth of worth of "emotional distress, humiliation, and loss of dignity") as:
"Bin Laden is manager of the kitchen"
"Bin Laden is in charge"
"You don't get it - Bin Laden is in charge of the kitchen too"
According to the complaint " Albarabi, further informed the rest of the plaintiffs what had happened and that he had lost his appetite..."
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April 27, 2005 09:15 AM US Eastern Timezone
Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. Announces Discrimination Suit Filed Against Local Denny's Restaurant
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 27, 2005--
Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. Announces Discrimination Suit Filed Against Local Denny's Restaurant
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 27, 2005--
| Seven Arab-Americans Were Refused Service and Ordered Out of Florida City Restaurant by Manager |
Attorneys Alan Kauffman and Rod Hannah of the Ft. Lauderdale-based law firm Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. filed a Public Accommodation discrimination lawsuit on Friday, April 22nd, against a Miami-Dade franchisee of the Denny's Restaurant chain on behalf of seven Egyptian Americans who said they were harassed, humiliated and refused service at a Denny's restaurant in January 2004.
The complaint, filed in Miami Dade County Circuit Court, describes the acts of discrimination against seven Egyptian Americans who were refused service, humiliated and ordered to leave a Denny's restaurant in Florida City after ordering their food.
The legal action for equitable relief and damages is for unlawful race, religious and national origin discrimination in violation of the Florida Civil Rights Act. In addition, there is an action for negligent retention/supervision against the franchisee, Restaurant Collection Inc. (RCI) d/b/a Denny's, for its alleged prior knowledge of the restaurant manager's alleged documented record of treating customers rudely and in a discriminatory manner.
The January 2004 incident cited in the complaint began when one plaintiff asked about their food order after a one hour wait. Restaurant manager, Eduardo Ascano allegedly replied, "Bin Laden is in charge of the kitchen," obviously referring to the notorious Arab terrorist Osama Bin Laden. The complaint further asserts that Ascano made additional inflammatory statements, including "We don't serve Bin Ladens here." He is said to have ordered the plaintiffs to leave the restaurant, saying "You're not welcome here any more."
"Our clients are American citizens who deserve to receive their constitutionally and statutorily protected rights and to be treated with respect," said attorney Alan Kauffman. "This type of discriminatory action against minorities is not only an attack on Arab Americans but an attack on America's core values and principles that every person, no matter what their race, color or religion have certain inalienable rights."
"These actions need to be addressed," added co-counsel Rod Hannah, "and the perpetrators must be held accountable to prevent any more incidents from occurring."
The plaintiffs are seeking damages in excess of $2 million for compensatory damages, including damages for emotional distress, humiliation and loss of dignity and punitive damages in excess of $2 million for the restaurant owner's willful, malicious and reckless misconduct.
About Becker & Poliakoff
Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. is a diverse commercial law firm with more than one hundred attorneys in offices throughout Florida and the world. For more information, visit: http://www.becker-poliakoff.com
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| April 29, 2005 03:53 PM US Eastern Timezone Statement from Nelson J. Marchioli, Chief Executive Officer and President, Denny's, Inc. SPARTANBURG, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 29, 2005--Denny's (OTCBB:DNYY): The following statement is in response to a lawsuit claiming racial
discrimination filed against the Denny's franchise restaurant at 401
SE 1st Ave. in Florida City, Florida, stemming from a January 11, 2004
visit
"We take claims of discrimination very seriously at Denny's. We long ago adopted a Zero Tolerance approach to such incidents. If we find that any allegation of discrimination has merit, we take swift and forceful action. We are equally forceful in our approach to discrimination policies, procedures and employee training. Denny's commitment to the advancement of cultural and racial diversity and inclusion is well established. Our Chief Diversity Officer, Ray Hood, who has guided our procedures for more than a decade, has helped Denny's achieve wide recognition by civil rights leaders and national news media as a leader and role model, a place where diversity is embraced and celebrated. We often are consulted by businesses seeking to improve the way they address discrimination issues. For that reason it is especially painful when persons make accusations against Denny's that have no basis in fact. Just as we have been forceful in the creation and implementation of our approach to this issue, we are doubly vigorous in our defense against such spurious claims that injure the reputation not only of our company, but the people who work hard every day to make Denny's one of America's favorite family restaurant chains. In the case of the lawsuit brought against our franchisee in Florida, the allegations have been found to be baseless. In accordance with our strict approach to claims of this type, we commissioned an immediate and thorough investigation by an independent, outside agency with experience investigating such allegations for the United States Department of Justice. That investigation found no evidence whatsoever to support these allegations. The facts proved no deterrent to plaintiffs who perceived an opportunity for financial gain. As a result, we intend to aggressively challenge the accusations. We are confident when all of the facts are presented that Denny's will be vindicated. We have great confidence in the programs we have developed and installed over the past decade. We are certain their value and effectiveness will be borne out when the facts in this case are presented in court." Nelson J. Marchioli
Chief Executive Officer and President
Denny's, Inc.
Denny's is America's largest full-service family restaurant chain with more than 1,600 locations in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Guam, Mexico, New Zealand and Puerto Rico. The company's stock is traded under the ticker "DNYY," and additional information is available on Denny's Web site at www.dennys.com. | |
|
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MIM: Although CAIR was not mentioned in the initial article which came out about the lawsuit, or any items since, MIM is checking into their reported statements on was broadcast news. CAIR's MO is all over this 'sheikdown' which the men's lawyer, has ludicriously declared to be, "the worst case of anti Muslim discrimination I have ever seen". The case has even made it into the international press and become the subject of spoof and satire.
Denny's investigation shows that "there is no evidence" to support the Muslims claims. The person who was alleged to have made remarks to them has 'disappeared'. The police who were supposedly present and asked by the Muslims to intervene are 'being sought'. Most revealing the Florida Commission on Human Rights which was nowhere near the scene, yet they proclaimed that "there was reasonable cause" to believe the men were discriminated against. Which begs two questions:
Why 7 professional Muslim men decided to eat in a Denny's in the first place, and how much the Florida Human Rights Commission is asking for their part in what appears to be a CAIR sheikdown .
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Men sue Denny's for discrimination
By Chrystian Tejedor
Miami Bureau
Miami Bureau
Seven men of Middle Eastern descent have sued a Denny's restaurant in Florida City, claiming the restaurant refused to serve them.
Ehab Albarabi, Nabil Arafat, Usama El-A-Baidy, Esam Hessein, Mohammad Natour, Usama Mohamed and Ehab Mohamed, all of Boca Raton, filed the civil rights suit April 22 in Miami-Dade Circuit Court. They seek $4 million each from the owner and a former manager of the restaurant.
The suit alleges that last year the restaurant discriminated against the men and humiliated them.
"We certainly are very hurt by all of this," 31-year-old Ehab Mohamed said Wednesday. "We are in fear of being discriminated everywhere we go."
The men decided to stop for food at the Denny's in Florida City shortly after 2 a.m. on Jan. 11, 2004, attorney Alan Kauffman said.
According to the suit, the discrimination started when the waitress who took their drink orders took "an unusually long time" to bring their drinks and take their food order.
After waiting more than one hour, Albarabi asked manager Eduardo Ascano about the delay. According to the suit, Ascano called the men "Bin Ladens," referring to al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.
After waiting another 30 minutes, El-A-Baidy questioned the manager about the remark and delay.
According to the suit, Ascano said, "We don't serve Bin Laden's here ... You're not welcome here anymore."
Ascano's comments caught the men off-guard and prompted their departure, Natour said.
"We're a group of very responsible guys," said Natour, a 39-year-old Syrian native who owns a restaurant in Plantation. "We were very surprised when we heard the manager screaming as Bin Ladens."
Two officers from the Miami-Dade and Homestead police departments eating at the Denny's asked the seven men to leave the restaurant, and said they would arrest them if they didn't, the lawsuit said.
The officers, who could not be reached for comment, are not named in the suit.
Owner Alfonso Fernandez said in a statement Wednesday that the men's allegations are false.
"We are truly committed to treating all of our guests with respect, and we take every guest concern seriously," Fernandez wrote. "These allegations of discrimination were immediately and thoroughly investigated by an independent, outside agency that found no evidence whatsoever to support the guests' claims."
Fernandez did not identify the agency. However, an investigation by the Florida Commission on Human Rights said "reasonable cause does exist" to support the discrimination claim.
Denny's restaurants have long been the targets of discrimination lawsuits across the country. Denny's settled a 1994 lawsuit for $54.4 million that accused the chain of asking blacks to prepay for meals. Since then, it has faced at least six more discrimination lawsuits filed by African-Americans and Hispanics and has been investigated in at least two cases involving discrimination against people of Middle Eastern descent.
Staff writer Elizabeth Baier and researcher Bill Lucey contributed to this report.
Ehab Albarabi, Nabil Arafat, Usama El-A-Baidy, Esam Hessein, Mohammad Natour, Usama Mohamed and Ehab Mohamed, all of Boca Raton, filed the civil rights suit April 22 in Miami-Dade Circuit Court. They seek $4 million each from the owner and a former manager of the restaurant.
The suit alleges that last year the restaurant discriminated against the men and humiliated them.
"We certainly are very hurt by all of this," 31-year-old Ehab Mohamed said Wednesday. "We are in fear of being discriminated everywhere we go."
The men decided to stop for food at the Denny's in Florida City shortly after 2 a.m. on Jan. 11, 2004, attorney Alan Kauffman said.
According to the suit, the discrimination started when the waitress who took their drink orders took "an unusually long time" to bring their drinks and take their food order.
After waiting more than one hour, Albarabi asked manager Eduardo Ascano about the delay. According to the suit, Ascano called the men "Bin Ladens," referring to al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.
After waiting another 30 minutes, El-A-Baidy questioned the manager about the remark and delay.
According to the suit, Ascano said, "We don't serve Bin Laden's here ... You're not welcome here anymore."
Ascano's comments caught the men off-guard and prompted their departure, Natour said.
"We're a group of very responsible guys," said Natour, a 39-year-old Syrian native who owns a restaurant in Plantation. "We were very surprised when we heard the manager screaming as Bin Ladens."
Two officers from the Miami-Dade and Homestead police departments eating at the Denny's asked the seven men to leave the restaurant, and said they would arrest them if they didn't, the lawsuit said.
The officers, who could not be reached for comment, are not named in the suit.
Owner Alfonso Fernandez said in a statement Wednesday that the men's allegations are false.
"We are truly committed to treating all of our guests with respect, and we take every guest concern seriously," Fernandez wrote. "These allegations of discrimination were immediately and thoroughly investigated by an independent, outside agency that found no evidence whatsoever to support the guests' claims."
Fernandez did not identify the agency. However, an investigation by the Florida Commission on Human Rights said "reasonable cause does exist" to support the discrimination claim.
Denny's restaurants have long been the targets of discrimination lawsuits across the country. Denny's settled a 1994 lawsuit for $54.4 million that accused the chain of asking blacks to prepay for meals. Since then, it has faced at least six more discrimination lawsuits filed by African-Americans and Hispanics and has been investigated in at least two cases involving discrimination against people of Middle Eastern descent.
Staff writer Elizabeth Baier and researcher Bill Lucey contributed to this report.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Denny's customers sue claiming discrimination
Seven men of Middle Eastern descent who say they were kicked out of a South Florida Denny's and compared to terrorist Osama bin Laden have filed a discrimination lawsuit against the diner seeking $28 million in damages.
"This was a terrible act against Arab Americans," said Alan C. Kauffman, one of the attorneys for the group, which includes a doctor, a real estate agent, insurance broker and a restaurant owner.
The seven men are of Egyptian, Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian descent. They are U.S. citizens and live in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Their suit against the Denny's franchise at 401 SE First Ave., Florida City, has been filed in Miami-Dade County; no date for a jury trial has been set. The diner is run by Restaurant Collection, Inc. of Miami-Dade.
Filing suit are: Mohammad Natour, of Plantation; Ehab Mohammed, of Boca Raton; Ehab Albaradi, of Hallandale; Nabil Arafat, of Pompano Beach; Usama El-A-Baidy, of Hallandale; Esam Hessein, of Hollywood and Usama Mohamed, of Dania. Each man seeks $4 million in damages.
The alleged incident stems from the group's early morning visit Jan. 11, 2004. "They were seated by the hostess, given menus, and their drink order was taken and served," Kauffman said.
According to the 10-page complaint, the men waited more than an hour for their food. Frustrated, one of the men -- Ehab Albaradi -- approached shift manager Eduardo Ascano and inquired about the group's order.
Ascano allegedly said: "Bin Laden is the manager of the kitchen" and "Bin Laden is in charge," referring to the Arab terrorist Osama bin Laden.
Albaradi and a second plaintiff, El-A-Baidy, decided to speak to Ascano again about their order.
Angered, Ascano told the short order cooks in the kitchen to cancel the group's order, the suit claims.
El-A-Baidy then asked Ascano why he had used the name bin Laden.
"We don't serve bin Ladens here! You guys, out!" Ascano allegedly said.
Also in the diner at that hour: a group of police officers from an unidentified agency.
But when one of the plaintiffs requested a police report of the incident, a female officer refused and pulled out her handcuffs.
She then ordered the men to "Get out, get out!" the men claim.
The men paid for their drinks and left.
Kauffman said he is trying to identify the officers.
For now, the lawsuit names Restaurant Collection Inc. and Ascano.
Ascano is no longer with the company, Kauffman said. Attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.
In a statement, Restaurant Collection said that the 'allegations of discrimination were immediately and thoroughly investigated by an independent, outside agency that found no evidence whatsoever to support the guests' claims."
In January, the Florida Commission on Human Relations said there was "reasonable cause"' to believe the group had been discriminated against.
Herald news partner CBS4 and researcher
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LATEST NEWS
April 29, 2005
Denny's bites back at discrimination claim
The chief executive officer and president of Denny's has responded to the racial discrimination suit filed against a franchise restaurant in Florida City, calling it baseless.
"We take claims of discrimination very seriously at Denny's," Nelson J. Marchioli said. "We long ago adopted a zero-tolerance approach to such incidents. If we find that any allegation of discrimination has merit, we take swift and forceful action."
Part of the reason for that action: In 1993, staff at a Denny's refused service for more than an hour to six African-American on-duty officers in the U.S. Secret Service. Their white fellow officers at a nearby table were served without incident.
After the six officers filed suit, thousands of other customers reported they had experienced similar discriminatory incidents at Denny's restaurants nationwide. Eventually, the suit involved class members in 49 states and the restaurant chain settled for $17.72 million.
In addition, Denny's signed a consent decree, which placed the corporation under a court order to provide nondiscrimination training to its employees and to monitor and report future instances of discrimination.
The latest possible site of discrimination is at 401 S.E. First Ave., in Florida City. Plaintiffs say they visited the restaurant Jan. 11.
Seven Egyptian-Americans said they were harassed, humiliated and refused service. Represented by the Fort Lauderdale office of Becker & Poliakoff, the plaintiffs filed public accommodation discrimination lawsuit last week in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court.
Attorneys Alan Kauffman and Rod Hannah said their legal action for equitable relief and damages is for unlawful race, religious and national origin discrimination in violation of the Florida Civil Rights Act.
In addition, there is an action for negligent retention/supervision against the franchisee, Restaurant Collection, for alleged prior knowledge of the restaurant manager's alleged documented record of treating customers rudely and in a discriminatory manner.
The January incident cited in the complaint allegedly began when one plaintiff asked about their food order after a one-hour wait.
The restaurant manager allegedly replied: "Bin Laden is in charge of the kitchen," potentially referring to terrorist Osama Bin Laden. The complaint further asserts the manager made additional inflammatory statements, including: "We don't serve Bin Ladens here."
Attorneys said he ordered the plaintiffs to leave the restaurant, saying: "You're not welcome here anymore."
Kauffman said his clients are American citizens who deserve to receive their constitutionally and statutorily protected rights and to be treated with respect.
"This type of discriminatory action against minorities is not only an attack on Arab-Americans, but an attack on America's core values and principles that every person, no matter what their race, color or religion, have certain inalienable rights," he said.
The plaintiffs are seeking more than $2 million for compensatory damages, including damages for emotional distress, humiliation and loss of dignity, and punitive damages in excess of $2 million for what they said is the restaurant owner's willful, malicious and reckless misconduct.
Spartanburg, S.C.-based Denny's replied that its commitment to the advancement of cultural and racial diversity and inclusion is well established. A chief diversity officer, Ray Hood, has guided its procedures for more than a decade, the company said, adding he has helped Denny's achieve wide recognition by civil rights leaders and national news media as a leader and role model, a place where diversity is embraced and celebrated.
"We often are consulted by businesses seeking to improve the way they address discrimination issues," CEO Marchioli added.
However, just as his company has been forceful in creating and implementing its approach to racial issues, Marchioli said it is doubly vigorous in its defense against "such spurious claims that injure the reputation not only of our company, but the people who work hard every day to make Denny's one of America's favorite family restaurant chains."
Marchioli said Denny's commissioned an immediate and thorough investigation by an independent, outside agency with experience investigating such allegations for the United States Department of Justice.
"That investigation found no evidence whatsoever to support these allegations," the officer said. "The facts proved no deterrent to plaintiffs who perceived an opportunity for financial gain."
Denny's CEO Marchioli intends to aggressively challenge the accusations.
"We are confident," he said, "when all of the facts are presented, that Denny's will be vindicated."
-------------------------------------------------------------
Restaurant Chain Sued over Bin Laden Jibe
By Victoria Ward, PA, in New York
A US restaurant chain is being sued after a manager allegedly turned away seven Arab Americans, claiming they "did not serve bin Ladens."
The men are seeking £2 million (4 million dollars) each from the former manager of Denny's in South Florida and the Restaurant Collection company which owns the Denny's franchise.
They claim there were discriminated against and humiliated when compared to the al Qaida terror chief.
The lawsuit, filed in Miami, states that they visited the restaurant in January and were seated and served drinks.
When their food did not arrive they inquired about the order but were allegedly told by manager, Eduardo Ascano that "Bin Laden is in charge of the kitchen".
On further questioning 30 minutes later, Ascano allegedly swore and said "we don't serve bin Ladens here" before ordering them to leave.
One of the group's lawyers, Alan Kauffman, said: "This was a terrible act against Arab Americans."
Restaurant Collection owner Alfonso Fernandez issued a statement denying the allegations.
"We are truly committed to treating all of our guests with respect, and we take every guest concern seriously," he said.
"These allegations of discrimination were immediately and thoroughly investigated by an independent, outside agency that found no evidence whatsoever to support the guests' claims."
No trial date has been set.
--------------------------
| Denny's ignored anti-Muslim complaint, says Boca plaintiff |
| Published Thursday, May 5, 2005 1:00 am |
The Denny's Corporation refused to take responsibility for a racial discrimination complaint against one of its South Florida franchises, ignoring the seven alleged Muslim victims for 11 months, a Boca Raton plaintiff said Wednesday.
Ehab Mohamed, an Egyptian-born Muslim and insurance broker who lives in Boca with his American wife, said he and his six friends in their $28 million lawsuit would fiercely dispute last week's statement by Denny's president Nelson Marchioli that the corporation immediately investigated and discounted their January 2004 complaint to the Florida Commission on Human Relations – a state agency that recently found probable cause for discrimination in its own yearlong investigation.
"The president of Denny's is lying to the entire world," said Mohamed, 31. "I'm disgusted because it was a full 11 months before Robert Morris, a private investigator hired by Denny's, contacted us to begin his investigation."
Alan C. Kauffman, the Boca lawyer representing Mohamed's group in the suit filed last week, said a June 1, 2004 letter from Denny's litigation coordinator Angela Pressley was the first and only correspondence his clients received from the Denny's corporate office about the incident at a Florida City restaurant.
Pressley's letter simply stated that the Florida City franchise owner would handle the complaint and that Kauffman's clients should direct "all future correspondence or questions regarding this matter" there instead of to the corporate office.
"When you talk about denial of civil rights, and the way Denny's refused to take responsibility for this complaint, our case definitely goes to a threshold issue," Kauffman said Wednesday. "Looking at past litigation in Texas, I think it's fair of us to ask for $28 million. It's consistent with past jury decisions."
Debbie Atkins, Denny's public relations director, said the company would not respond to Mohamed's allegation outside of court.
"We're not going to get into a back-and-forth discussion," she said. "We're in litigation now, so the courtroom is the proper place for these issues."
In the statement issued last Friday, company president Marchioli said Denny's commissioned "an immediate and thorough investigation by an independent, outside agency with experience investigating such allegations for the United States Department of Justice" to evaluate the Muslims' claim.
"That investigation found no evidence whatsoever to support these allegations," Marchioli said. "The facts proved no deterrent to plaintiffs who perceived an opportunity for financial gain."
Mohamed and six friends of Middle Eastern descent from Broward County – Nabil Arafat, Ehab Albaradi, Usama El-A Baidy, Esam Hesein, Mohammad Natour and Usama Mohamed – allege in their complaint that the manager of the Denny's called them "bin Ladens" and refused to serve them during a 2 a.m. food run on Jan. 11, 2004.
The seven friends are all married professionals, including a physician and a real estate agent. They said they were nicely dressed and polite at the Denny's restaurant, asking a waiter not to serve them any pork or alcohol because of their Islamic beliefs.
When their food did not arrive an hour later, El-A-Baidy confronted manager Eduardo Ascano, who allegedly told him, "Bin Laden is in charge of the kitchen."
The group confronted Ascano again and he allegedly told them, "We don't serve bin Ladens here! You guys, out!"
As Ascano threatened to wait outside and beat them up if they didn't leave, two off-duty police officers intervened.
Mohamed said one of the officers, a female Metro Dade cop, "pulled out her handcuffs and started banging them on the wrist" of one of the men.
She allegedly refused to give them her name and badge number, threatening to write a police report if they didn't leave.
"Initially, we had a false sense of security because of the police presence and the fact that there's nothing extremist about our group," Mohamed said. "We were totally wrong."
Mohamed, whose Christian wife is a third-generation Floridian, said he could not understand why the incident happened.
"I was shocked," Mohamed said. "I never imagined that this sort of thing could happen in this day and age. The whole thing is pure discrimination."
Although the Anti-Defamation League is not involved in the lawsuit, southeast regional director Art Teitelbaum said the group's allegations could be true.
"Virtually all large companies have policies against discriminatory behavior in the consumer marketplace. It wouldn't make financial sense not to have them," Teitelbaum said. "However, policies are always dependent on the employees on the ground. This is not the first case where Arab-American Muslims have complained of being discriminated against."
Kaufmann, the Boca lawyer, said his plaintiffs would seek to make Denny's implement a policy revoking franchise ownership in a case of reported racial or religious discrimination.
A lawsuit is also pending against the two off-duty police officers, who were interviewed by a Florida Commission on Human Relations investigator.
According to the Commission's investigative report, witnesses confirmed that the off-duty female cop threatened to arrest the men if they did not leave.
Witnesses also said the seven Muslims were noisy and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
However, employees who served the Muslims also confirmed the anti-Muslim remarks made by manager Ascano, whom they said had a reputation for being "rude and unprofessional."
Sean Salai can be reached at ssalai@bocanews.com or 561-893-6427.
Ehab Mohamed, an Egyptian-born Muslim and insurance broker who lives in Boca with his American wife, said he and his six friends in their $28 million lawsuit would fiercely dispute last week's statement by Denny's president Nelson Marchioli that the corporation immediately investigated and discounted their January 2004 complaint to the Florida Commission on Human Relations – a state agency that recently found probable cause for discrimination in its own yearlong investigation.
"The president of Denny's is lying to the entire world," said Mohamed, 31. "I'm disgusted because it was a full 11 months before Robert Morris, a private investigator hired by Denny's, contacted us to begin his investigation."
Alan C. Kauffman, the Boca lawyer representing Mohamed's group in the suit filed last week, said a June 1, 2004 letter from Denny's litigation coordinator Angela Pressley was the first and only correspondence his clients received from the Denny's corporate office about the incident at a Florida City restaurant.
Pressley's letter simply stated that the Florida City franchise owner would handle the complaint and that Kauffman's clients should direct "all future correspondence or questions regarding this matter" there instead of to the corporate office.
"When you talk about denial of civil rights, and the way Denny's refused to take responsibility for this complaint, our case definitely goes to a threshold issue," Kauffman said Wednesday. "Looking at past litigation in Texas, I think it's fair of us to ask for $28 million. It's consistent with past jury decisions."
Debbie Atkins, Denny's public relations director, said the company would not respond to Mohamed's allegation outside of court.
"We're not going to get into a back-and-forth discussion," she said. "We're in litigation now, so the courtroom is the proper place for these issues."
In the statement issued last Friday, company president Marchioli said Denny's commissioned "an immediate and thorough investigation by an independent, outside agency with experience investigating such allegations for the United States Department of Justice" to evaluate the Muslims' claim.
"That investigation found no evidence whatsoever to support these allegations," Marchioli said. "The facts proved no deterrent to plaintiffs who perceived an opportunity for financial gain."
Mohamed and six friends of Middle Eastern descent from Broward County – Nabil Arafat, Ehab Albaradi, Usama El-A Baidy, Esam Hesein, Mohammad Natour and Usama Mohamed – allege in their complaint that the manager of the Denny's called them "bin Ladens" and refused to serve them during a 2 a.m. food run on Jan. 11, 2004.
The seven friends are all married professionals, including a physician and a real estate agent. They said they were nicely dressed and polite at the Denny's restaurant, asking a waiter not to serve them any pork or alcohol because of their Islamic beliefs.
When their food did not arrive an hour later, El-A-Baidy confronted manager Eduardo Ascano, who allegedly told him, "Bin Laden is in charge of the kitchen."
The group confronted Ascano again and he allegedly told them, "We don't serve bin Ladens here! You guys, out!"
As Ascano threatened to wait outside and beat them up if they didn't leave, two off-duty police officers intervened.
Mohamed said one of the officers, a female Metro Dade cop, "pulled out her handcuffs and started banging them on the wrist" of one of the men.
She allegedly refused to give them her name and badge number, threatening to write a police report if they didn't leave.
"Initially, we had a false sense of security because of the police presence and the fact that there's nothing extremist about our group," Mohamed said. "We were totally wrong."
Mohamed, whose Christian wife is a third-generation Floridian, said he could not understand why the incident happened.
"I was shocked," Mohamed said. "I never imagined that this sort of thing could happen in this day and age. The whole thing is pure discrimination."
Although the Anti-Defamation League is not involved in the lawsuit, southeast regional director Art Teitelbaum said the group's allegations could be true.
"Virtually all large companies have policies against discriminatory behavior in the consumer marketplace. It wouldn't make financial sense not to have them," Teitelbaum said. "However, policies are always dependent on the employees on the ground. This is not the first case where Arab-American Muslims have complained of being discriminated against."
Kaufmann, the Boca lawyer, said his plaintiffs would seek to make Denny's implement a policy revoking franchise ownership in a case of reported racial or religious discrimination.
A lawsuit is also pending against the two off-duty police officers, who were interviewed by a Florida Commission on Human Relations investigator.
According to the Commission's investigative report, witnesses confirmed that the off-duty female cop threatened to arrest the men if they did not leave.
Witnesses also said the seven Muslims were noisy and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
However, employees who served the Muslims also confirmed the anti-Muslim remarks made by manager Ascano, whom they said had a reputation for being "rude and unprofessional."
Sean Salai can be reached at ssalai@bocanews.com or 561-893-6427.
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