BILL SCHERER'S SON-IN-LAW ARRESTED FOR TRAFFICKING
Anthony Mercer got popped last week. He's set before Judge Gates.
Docketrack shows a slew of impending charges:
I. Trafficking Cocaine (+28 grams)
II. Poss Cannabis (+20 grams)
III. Poss Oxycodone
IV. Poss Hydrocodone
V. Poss Clonazapam
VI. Poss Alprazolam
VII. Poss Diazapam
VIII. MM Cannabis
IX. MM Drug Par
Watch the ball on this one. Another sour pickle for Mike Satz, right up there with the Adderley, Huizenga, Ken Jenne Powertrack and Ana Gardiner gherkins.
Will Satz quickly disqualify himself, due to his close personal ties to Bill Scherer and Liz's employment at the SAO? Or will he stay on long enough for the investigation to be completed, so he can keep tabs on the situation? Of course, there could be some heavy min/mans involved, usually reserved for the poor and unconnected.
Also - will the 17th Circuit Judiciary be able to stay on this case? Most of the current judges passed before Bill Scherer at one time or another during his long tenure on the JNC. His name probably graces many judicial applications as well. You just have to read Buddy Nevins to see how tight his influence is on Broward judicial politics.
In any event, we hope Mr. Mercer gets help for what could be a possible heavy addiction. His case could set a new standard for drug offenders in Broward, if this all goes away easily (except, if the charges are filed, the help will come from Miami or Palm Beach). The way the Broward SAO typically treats drug addict/alleged dealers is nothing short of criminal, so we'll all have to keep a close eye on this one.
Sentinel: Broward prosecutor's husband is busted as an accused drug dealer
Sun Sentinel Topix Comments
"A Broward prosecutor's husband has been busted as an accused drug dealer in possession of more than an ounce of cocaine, nearly a pound of marijuana and 21 prescription pills.
The day he bonded out of jail, she filed for divorce...
Last week, Chief Assistant State Attorney Chuck Morton wrote Gov. Charlie Crist asking him to assign a prosecutor from somewhere else in Florida to handle Mercer's case "to avoid any potential conflict or the appearance of impropriety."
*Governor Crist Vetoes 2% Pay Cut for State Workers*
Broward Death Row inmate to get new trial
NYT: Scenes From Judge Sotomayor’s Courtroom
Alvin Entin on Sotomayor
Grady and this clown. Nice choices.
how come bogie isn't listed as the atty?
this is the best damn blog on the net
if liz was hooking up with grady when her marriage to this guy was going bad if she may have popped off about her husbands drug issues and grady gave up this guy to get a sweet deal for himself
His construction business must be really hurting from the recession.
He's a victim!
Didn't Gates get appointed by Scherer/Jeb Bush?
I don't know but look at the clerk's page:
http://www.clerk-17th-flcourts.org/BCCOC2/Pubsearch/case_summary.aspx?hidSearchType=party_case&txtLastName=mercer&txtFirstName=anthony&txtMiddleInitial=&txtBusinessEntity=&chkAdvSearch=0&cboCourtType=&sbmPublicParty=Submit&user_type=&hidCaseNumber=FMCE09006774&FMCE09006774=CIV&07008816TI10A=TRA&07068889TI40A=TRA&08033527TI30A=TRA&98050614TI40A=TRA&92023531CF10A=CRM&09009560CF10A=CRM&hidCourtType=CIV&hidGeneralType=CIV&ctl00$ContentPlaceHolder1$comcs$btnSummary=View%20Selected%20Case&&user_type=
It says Liz filed for divorce around the time Mercer was arrested. Bill Gardiner is her lawyer.
I imagine the Scherer's have had enough of him, so no high powered attorney may be forthcoming (or favors from Satz).
To the authors of such idol chatter and gossip: why should Liz have to bear judgment by any one of you? You, who obviously don’t have anything better to do with your time than write anonymously on this blog. A blog that masquerades as a “truth forum,” but really serves as a soap box for unauthored opinions and catty gossip. Liz does not need to defend herself, her marriage, or her family to any one of you insignificant and childish cowards. I am Tara Horvitz and I am not afraid to give my name.
Trafficking charges - filed 5/22/09
Dissolution of Marriage - filed 5/22/09
Ever have one of those days where you just should've stayed in bed?
To all of our fellow colleagues and professionals: As non-bloggers we are asking that you respect the privacy of Liz, her child, and her family. There is not one of us in this legal community who has not faced a personal trial or obstacle. This forum is hurtful and malicious and you should be ashamed of yourselves. What kind of person preys of the tragedies of others? That person, I tell you, is cowardly and sick. For all of you anonymous bloggers...I dare you to come forward....I dare you to say it to her face or the face of her friends. I am Michelle Boutros and I am not afraid to give my name.
if you were a non-blogger, then how did you find out so fast about this post? it just happened, so, as a non-blogger you decided to suddenly check out what the entire courthouse is always talking about.
WHEW!!!. Thank Heavens, I no longer have a client on death row. Thank you Judge, Thank you prosecutor. I am going to Timpano tonight. Everyone is welcome to attend. All drinks are on me. (oh, what goes on at Timpano stays at Timpano) LOL
I agree. Of all people, we should know that that they deserve the presumption of innocence -- that includes Mr. Mercer as well as his wife.
Satzy will get off. SAO employee family member is automatic recusal.
Sherer has had no juice with Charlie Crist.
Crist booted him from the JNC.
Scherer's judicial appt power was when jebby "religious right" bush was in office and included such notable appts as avalos, stacy ross, greenhawt, dijols, gonzalez, dale cohen, tuter, who am i missing?
sounds like one heck of a memorial weekend party.
YOU work for an office that sends BLACKS to prison for DRUGS with GLEE never showing MERCY
YOU work for an OFFICE that gives SPECIAL TREATMENT to MR. SATZ'S friends and the RICH
The TRUTH is your office STINKS and I CONGRATULATE the bloggers who out your office on the never ending HYPOCRISY
For your information a DRUG TRAFFICKING husband of an ASA who is related to a fat cat REPUBLICAN judgemaker is news that would otherwise be swept under the carpet
I WILL NOT sign my name because I AM AFRAID of RETRIBUTION from mean spirited MR. SATZ and his POWERFUL FRIENDS
Anyone know any facts of the case?
I don't see what is so "hurtful and mailicious" about what anyone has said here. I think you are being a little overly sensitive.
moral hypocrites
4:45 was directed toward Tara and Michelle...it should have read "To Tara Horvitz and Michelle Boutros." I apologize for the typo.
Dear Tara and Michelle,
While I agree that this a sad day for the Scherer's and no one should relish in their tragedy I would like to remind you that the Scherer's have voluntarily thrown their names into the limelight. Just like celebrities they must accept that they will have less privacy then John Q public. So I do not feel that they are being treated unfairly by the blog and eventually the media. When Bill Scherer can voluntarily send press releases about his accomplishments and how he is so powerful that he "shapes the judiciary" (look at his webiste under "media"), he can not now claim privacy rights. He has made himself a local celebrity and Liz has relished in that fact for many years.
Scherer is well known for being very evil and vindictive to his enemies. This is simply Karma for him and Liz. They deserve whatever comes their way for retribution to those they have caused pain (and there is a very long list).
Liz was married to this man. She was a prosecutor, supposedly and intelligent women, then how could she not know what he was doing? Where was all the money coming from? How much did she know and look away from?
Tara and Michelle, I am not impressed that you vouche for Liz. I have known her and know full well what she and her father are capable of doing to people that do things against their wishes. Liz knew about her husband's drug issues and instead of getting him help she brushed it under the rug and hid herself from the issues. And now look where she is.
Tara and Michelle.... I guess you'll get big points from the Scherer's for publically coming to her side. But beware, the days of Scherer's reign is almost over and your loyalty to her will be worthless. Remember what she did to her latest best friend, Mardi Levy Cohen. Ouch. Be careful calling Liz your friend.
Karma.
What is so "hurtful and malicious" or "insignificant and childish" about reporting the arrest of an alleged Drug Trafficer. I saw no personal attacks whatsoever, just discussion of his connection to the Scherer family and how it will LIKELY have an effect on the handling of his case. What's the BFD? Remember Adderly? We only heard so much about that because her husband was the FLPD chief.
mardi levey cohen's husband DALE COHEN was appointed to the bench thanks to Scherer/Jeb Bush. Mardi then ran against another Scherer/Jeb Bush appointment, Pedro Dijols.
Let me just say this. I consider all Scherer/Jeb Bush appointments lame. I hope they all are knocked off the bench. As for Mardi Levey Cohen Jingle Heimer Schmitt Jewey Jewestein, SHE WILL NEVER BE A JUDGE.
I like Liz. I wish her the best during these tough times. As for Liz's soon to be ex-husband, he should be treated like any other defendant. And each shall stand equal.
And of course almighty Liz didn't know anything about her husband's dealings as she prosecutes the underprivileged for much less?
And dear old daddy with his hands in everybody's pie, particularly his judge buddies, now has to do a little digging of his own for one of his own?
Too bad. I can't feel sorry for such hypocrisy continually being expressed by the likes of Scherer.
This is the same media hog that gets his name in the newspapers every chance he gets?
I'll be looking forward to seeing how the newspapers deal with this new revelation hitting so close to home for the slop master himself.
You're a real good judge of character of Liz. Like a chip off the old block. Where did you find this guy and how could you not have known about this? When did you divorce the guy ... guess he doesn't serve any purpose anymore. Who is this psycho Boutros? People get busted every day less fortunate than Liz and I don't hear you whine for them.
Is it just that it involves the daughter of Scherer the Judge Maker and so called political fat cat, or what's your real beef Boutros?
"What kind of person preys on the tragedies of others"
why don't you look at some of your fellow ASA's for the answer to that one? if your office were run with some element of compassion, perhaps this blog woulfn't contain such disdain for you prosecutors.
though i pity the situation liz finds herself in, this is no different than the thousands of cases you asa's prosecute every year where your response to the defendants and their hurting families is, "the law is the law. there's nothing i can do." i just hope mr. mercer doesn't find himself dealing with a prosecutor who refuses to look at the entire worth of the individual rather than one stupid mistake when deciding his fate.
He was just self medicating for one hell of a headache. What's the big deal? Hypocrisy isn't new to this place.
Go ask poppa about it.
Soon to be ex-husband? Give me a break!
Horvits, you sound like an idiot. Do you minister to the lepers on weekends?
Signed: Next desk over.
I have know both Michelle and Tara as long as I worked for the Sao and believe what they are trying to say is respect peoples privacy during a difficult time instead of taking cheap shots under the guise of anonymity
Sort of like they respect people's rights you mean?
Who cares if it's Scherer's son in law or the guy cuts his lawn. Get the guy some help, but don't treat him any different than anyone else.
Scherer did his best to stack the judiciary with less than stellar judges and then took all the credit for it to anyone that would would listen to him and never let them forget it.
This is what happens.
What's the old saying, the bigger they are the harder they fall? Sad really.
LIFE ISN'T FOR EVERYBODY
What a bunch of anoymous p**y's
New office policy effective immediately.
All spouses and significant others of prospective ASAs will undergo a lie detector test and blood test.
Hey Karma! You are Mardi!
so why are YOU reading and posting on it?????
"I guess you'll get big points from the Scherer's for publically coming to her side"
unfortunately, dipietro already got the job at the firm. hopefully, something will be coming up for you two in the very near future.
what happened to "I am Peter Sapak and I am not afraid to use my name?" Is it really Peter Sapak or is it an imposter? Will the real Peter Sapak please stand up, please stand up, please stand up!
Don't you want your brownie points, too, Peter Sapak????
"unfortunately, dipietro already got the job at the firm. hopefully, something will be coming up for you two in the very near future."
I doubt it. Without Kenny Felon Jenne in power business must be slow.
So, who are you? What is your connection to Liz?
Actually she does need to defend herself. Someone who has been given her responsibility should know better. She investigates and prosecutes for a living. This man was in a warehouse putting goody bags together. I mean this didn't evolve in just the last few months. When you are married to someone and sharing a home, a life, and a child wouldnt you have an idea that something was up!!! Well, at least it takes the heat off Ana.