Blog of law articles

Oh South Florida! Why do you bless us with so many endlessly entertaining state court judges?

Is it the water? The mold? It must be something, but please baby don't ever let it stop.

In our latest installment, the Herald takes a close look at former crybaby Anna Nichole Smith Judge Larry Seidlin:

From 2003 to 2008, Kasler gave the Seidlins more than $400,000. She also gave $54,260 to the exclusive Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale for the education of Seidlin's daughter, Dax, according to an investigation last year by the Miami-Dade state attorney's office.

The probe found no criminal wrongdoing. But the ''close-out'' memo pointed out that Kasler gave money to multiple members of the Seidlin family except for Larry Seidlin -- who, as a sitting circuit court judge, would have had to publicly disclose the gifts. Seidlin left the bench in 2007.

The story of Seidlin and Kasler goes back to 2003, when Kasler made the first payment to the family, according to the Miami-Dade investigation. It was a check for $10,000 to Seidlin's young daughter, Dax.

Kasler had an estimated worth of $6 million, the Miami-Dade report stated.

In 2005, Monica Izquierdo Vial, now 57, started cleaning Kasler's home. Later, she added more hours as a caretaker helping with Kasler's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which makes it difficult for her to breathe.

Izquierdo, in an interview, described Kasler as ``brainwashed.''

She said she saw Seidlin lie in bed with Kasler, telling Kasler he was her son. She also said that several times she saw Seidlin remove Kasler's oxygen nosepiece while Kasler slept, saying, ``I don't want her to get used to it.''

Izquierdo contended that Seidlin coached Kasler about what to say to Miami-Dade investigators looking into the allegations.

''Ridiculous,'' Shohat said. ``I can assert to you with great confidence that there is no evidence medically that Larry or Belinda Seidlin did anything to cause Barbara Kasler's health to deteriorate.''

Hmm, interesting Ed. "Great confidence" in denying the taking off of the nosepiece. What about the rest of the allegations?

Actually, Ed may not even be denying the nosepiece allegation, just perhaps that taking it off on occasion did not cause Ms. Kasler's health to deteriorate?

The Sun-Sentinel's coverage is here.

Judge Seidlin, your desire to help others truly knows no bounds.

BTW, I'm pretty sure I am the son of Adrienne Arsht. Entirely unrelated -- my kids go to Ransom.

Just thought "Mom" should know.