LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA
– A South Florida attorney found himself needing an attorney
ahead of Broward County deputies arresting him on an
extortion charge Thursday.
That’s because authorities allege he used inside information
he had on a neighbor’s legal woes in an ill-fated attempt to
get her to resign from the board of his
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea condominium building, promising to
tarnish her reputation if she didn’t.
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Broward attorney David A. Weintraub (left) was accused of extortion after deputies allege he tried to spread information about a neighbor's past legal troubles to force her out at the board of the Hampton Beach Club condominiums (right) |
“When this did not work, he circulated
the video and report to several other residents in order to
get them to vote against her in a (recall) petition,” BSO
Deputy Benya Koos wrote in the report. “She has never
resigned and a (recall petition) was never submitted by (Weintraub).”Multiple
witnesses reported seeing either the arrest report or video
distributed by Weintraub, the affidavit states.
Koos wrote in July that Weintraub declined to speak with
investigators retained an attorney.
Weintraub was released on a $5,000 bond Friday. His
attorney, in a statement to Local 10 News Friday afternoon,
promised to fight what he described as “unjust” charges.
“David Weintraub is a pillar in South Florida. He embodies an unwavering commitment to our community by giving back to the legal needs of children and against the exploitation and abuse of the elderly. David has worked countless hours as an attorney for 39 Years with an impeccable record. We look forward to representing him on these charges which clearly are unjust!" Dave Kubiliun, Weintraub's attorney |
Local 10 News contacted the Florida Bar seeking comment
Friday morning.
A representative from the Florida Bar said the association
was looking in to our inquiry about Weintraub’s status as a
licensed attorney and any potential professional
ramifications that may stem from his arrest.