Democratic Activist Repeatedly Ducks Subpoena
BY BUDDY NEVINS
A politician who doesn’t want to talk. Wow!
Freda Stevens was vice president of the Broward Black Democratic Caucus until earlier this year and is currently a Broward Democratic Party committeewoman. She has been a frequent candidate for office.
Stevens also has been fighting a subpoena from the Florida Elections Commission for months.
It stems from her 2008 run for state House. She later ran for Davie commission.
The elections division found, according to a notice of probable cause:
“Respondent (Stevens) was a candidate in the August 26, 2008 primary election for the House of Representatives, District 100. Respondent purchased television airtime from WPLG to run political advertisements. On or about August 6, 2008, Respondent gave a check for $13,812.50 and a check for 680.00 to WPLG-TV from Green Apple Association of Christian Schools that was returned for non-sufficient funds. Respondent falsely reported or deliberately failed to report the in-kind contributions from Green Apple Association of Christian Schools on her original 2008 F3 report and five amended 2008 F3 reports Additionally, Respondent falsely reported or deliberately failed to report the two transactions with WPLG-TV as in-kind contributions from herself to her campaign. Respondent also reported the purpose of the in-kind contribution as “media” without specifying the type of media.”
Commission investigators said their was probable cause to believe Stevens committed 12 counts of election law violations. The complaint now moved to the Election Commission, who will make the final determination on the case.
In the meantime, Stevens has refused to talk to the Elections Division about these alleged mistakes for months.
After a call from Browardbeat.com last week, Stevens now said she will talk.
“I’m going in (to talk to investigators),” Stevens said. “This is not a big deal.”
She blames her legal troubles since the 2008 House race on a disgruntled Davie activist “who is obsessed with me…I don’t know why. I’m not a candidate for anything now.”
Her original subpoena was set for July 20. She asked that it be rescheduled and it was reset to July 25.
On July 25 when Stevens was 55 minutes late, a commission staffer sent her a text message. Stevens responded that she was on her way, state commission documents.
Thirty five minutes later in a series of text messages with the commission staff and attorney, Stevens said she couldn’t breathe and was going to the emergency room. She was advised she needed medical documentation to the commission when she regained her health.
Commission documents state she “failed to provide staff with any medical documentation” and failed to “assert a legal reason” why she couldn’t appear for a deposition.
A hearing last week turned down her request to quash the subpoena.
There is another hearing on the case scheduled for later this month.
October 3rd, 2011 at 7:51 am
She’s been hanging in Davie for years. The people rejected her and the reason why is clear now.
October 3rd, 2011 at 7:52 am
She has talked about running for school Board. With the kind of math she does, she’ll make a good member. LOL
October 3rd, 2011 at 8:11 am
I wonder if Red Broward will post this headline on his site considering he and Ferda were such buds in their failed attempt to oust Ann Murray?
October 3rd, 2011 at 8:44 am
Another member of Mitch Ceasar’s African American “outreach.”
October 3rd, 2011 at 10:50 am
Should I get Frieda appointed to the school board or wait til this mess is over? it’s good to be the king(maker)!
October 3rd, 2011 at 10:59 am
“I’m going in (to talk to investigators),” Stevens said. “This is not a big deal.”
This IS a big deal. Green Apple Association of Christian Schools is a fictitious name for Prodigal S & D, a 501 c 3 non profit organization that should not be involved in politics and none of its earnings used for political campaigns. IRS where have you been?
To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.
October 3rd, 2011 at 11:49 am
@Where’s Red Broward- wonder no more. link to this story appears on RB Facebook page. Now back to “failed” attempts to keep folks like Ann Murray away from our kids.
October 3rd, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Freda Stevens is a thief who steals from her employees and others. I openly say this and use my own name when I do this because I have proof and witnesses, some of who are the victims of her illegal acts.
Freda and her minions are aware that I am chasing her making sure everyone knows she is a crook. I go to meetings where she is announced to appear and when she sees me she runs and hides.
The Democratic Party is aware of the fact that Freda is a thief and thanks to Buddy, now Independants and Republicans are aware as well. Please do not trust anything this woman says.
She is a blight on the political scene, educational scene and the business community and I hope that soon she goes to jail for one or more of her crimes.
October 3rd, 2011 at 3:17 pm
I seems like Stevens has been using Green Apple as her personal piggy bank…..
October 4th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
This will keep happening until Mitch Ceasar is removed and discipline is enforced to remove bad apples. Democrats need New Leadership Now.
October 11th, 2011 at 10:54 pm
http://www.fec.state.fl.us/FECWebFi.nsf/0/F572360FAB4199B18525791B0046CA58/$File/NOTICE+OF+CANCELLATION.pdf
Freda! Got cold feet!!!!!!