Chief Adderley's Side of the Story
I just got off the phone with Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Frank Adderley.
Adderley in happier times
Adderley is agitated. He is known as a smooth character, but not today. The blogs have been merciless. His association with Scott Rothstein threatens to bring him down, and he wants his side of the story out.
I asked Adderley if he missed any clues that Rothstein was a bum, somebody he shouldn't have associated with. "Am I the only guy that got fooled by this guy", he asks, "is Frank Adderley the only one that knew Rothstein?" Adderley is perplexed why he is the only one on the hot seat.
Adderley says the who's who of Fort Lauderdale knew Rothstein, wined and dined with him, helped with Rothstein's charities, got fooled by him. Adderley says that by the time he met Rothstein (July 2008), the mega-rich attorney was already super successful, already deeply ingrained in the community, his firm employing over 150 people.
But how did Frank Adderley, who worked his way up from a street patrolman to become the Police Chief, and who grew up in a modest home in one of the poorest sections of town, end up on a private jet with arguably the most infamous and richest lawyer in Fort Lauderdale's history, the owner of a Cadillac dealership, and other high society types?
Here's how Adderley tells it:
"You gotta realize Tim, I had been married for 17 years, and all the sudden I'm single". [Adderley was estranged from his wife, who had been arrested for firing a gun at Adderley over issues of Adderley's infidelity]. Adderley had initially hired an attorney from the Rothstein firm to represent his wife in the matter, until Adderley's wife's brother moved her case to another firm. He says that was how he began to know Rothstein. ( Ironically, Adderley says he also got ripped off by Rothstein, when the $5000 retainer/estimate he paid for his wife's bond hearing unexpectedly ballooned in the end to $14,000.!)
" I had to eat somewhere". Adderley says. He says he started hanging out at Bova Restaurant ( a Rothstein business venture) with a group of buddies. He says he liked the restaurant "especially for the happy hour". He says he could "get two appetizers for the price of one", and just got kind of comfortable there. Adderley says it was a place to network, to hobnob with the city's professionals. He says "judges, politicians, all kinds of notable names went there regularly" . Rothstein was there often, always the star, bigger than life.
Adderley's friend Moe Sohail, owner of Ultimate Cigars, and Bayview Cadillac owner Ted Morse were part of Adderleys "group of buddies" that hung at the restaurant. On Saturdays, the group would hang at Moe's Cigar shop "to watch college football". He says he believes Morse owned the jet, not Rothstein, and Morse invited him to go along to New York." I looked at it like [an expensive] car ride to the game", Adderley explained. He says he was offered the tickets to the game for free, but declined. "It was understood that I would pay ", he says. " I am not a mooch", Adderley barked.
Then there's the now famous car accident.
Adderley, with Rothstein, at accident scene
Adderley says he was heading out " to ride around the community" ( as he is known to do) in the late afternoon when he got a call from Rothstein about their mutual friend Moe's accident. He say he was just blocks away and went there "just because a friend of mine was seriously hurt". He says he didn't participate in the accident investigation " in any way", other than asking the reporting Officer if he " had everything he needed". He said the investigation will bear that out.
Adderley says the FBI and he have an understanding that he is a witness in Rothstein investigation and that there are some things he should not talk about, but he thinks the story is getting out of hand and he had to try and set some things straight. He says he believes the FBI has all the phone records of his calls with Rothstein.
I asked him, in retrospect, if he should have passed on that jet to New York, maybe passed on the whole relationship with Rothstein. No, he responded quickly, but then added, I guess that's yet to be determined.
Adderley finished by saying he's confident that, "in the long run , people will see that I did nothing wrong".
Adderley in happier times
Adderley is agitated. He is known as a smooth character, but not today. The blogs have been merciless. His association with Scott Rothstein threatens to bring him down, and he wants his side of the story out.
I asked Adderley if he missed any clues that Rothstein was a bum, somebody he shouldn't have associated with. "Am I the only guy that got fooled by this guy", he asks, "is Frank Adderley the only one that knew Rothstein?" Adderley is perplexed why he is the only one on the hot seat.
Adderley says the who's who of Fort Lauderdale knew Rothstein, wined and dined with him, helped with Rothstein's charities, got fooled by him. Adderley says that by the time he met Rothstein (July 2008), the mega-rich attorney was already super successful, already deeply ingrained in the community, his firm employing over 150 people.
But how did Frank Adderley, who worked his way up from a street patrolman to become the Police Chief, and who grew up in a modest home in one of the poorest sections of town, end up on a private jet with arguably the most infamous and richest lawyer in Fort Lauderdale's history, the owner of a Cadillac dealership, and other high society types?
Here's how Adderley tells it:
"You gotta realize Tim, I had been married for 17 years, and all the sudden I'm single". [Adderley was estranged from his wife, who had been arrested for firing a gun at Adderley over issues of Adderley's infidelity]. Adderley had initially hired an attorney from the Rothstein firm to represent his wife in the matter, until Adderley's wife's brother moved her case to another firm. He says that was how he began to know Rothstein. ( Ironically, Adderley says he also got ripped off by Rothstein, when the $5000 retainer/estimate he paid for his wife's bond hearing unexpectedly ballooned in the end to $14,000.!)
" I had to eat somewhere". Adderley says. He says he started hanging out at Bova Restaurant ( a Rothstein business venture) with a group of buddies. He says he liked the restaurant "especially for the happy hour". He says he could "get two appetizers for the price of one", and just got kind of comfortable there. Adderley says it was a place to network, to hobnob with the city's professionals. He says "judges, politicians, all kinds of notable names went there regularly" . Rothstein was there often, always the star, bigger than life.
Adderley's friend Moe Sohail, owner of Ultimate Cigars, and Bayview Cadillac owner Ted Morse were part of Adderleys "group of buddies" that hung at the restaurant. On Saturdays, the group would hang at Moe's Cigar shop "to watch college football". He says he believes Morse owned the jet, not Rothstein, and Morse invited him to go along to New York." I looked at it like [an expensive] car ride to the game", Adderley explained. He says he was offered the tickets to the game for free, but declined. "It was understood that I would pay ", he says. " I am not a mooch", Adderley barked.
Then there's the now famous car accident.
Adderley, with Rothstein, at accident scene
Adderley says he was heading out " to ride around the community" ( as he is known to do) in the late afternoon when he got a call from Rothstein about their mutual friend Moe's accident. He say he was just blocks away and went there "just because a friend of mine was seriously hurt". He says he didn't participate in the accident investigation " in any way", other than asking the reporting Officer if he " had everything he needed". He said the investigation will bear that out.
Adderley says the FBI and he have an understanding that he is a witness in Rothstein investigation and that there are some things he should not talk about, but he thinks the story is getting out of hand and he had to try and set some things straight. He says he believes the FBI has all the phone records of his calls with Rothstein.
I asked him, in retrospect, if he should have passed on that jet to New York, maybe passed on the whole relationship with Rothstein. No, he responded quickly, but then added, I guess that's yet to be determined.
Adderley finished by saying he's confident that, "in the long run , people will see that I did nothing wrong".
Let me say I have known Chief Adderley(Frank) since he was a small boy who was put to work by his hard working father at the Jolly Roger Hotel on the beach. He was a good kid & as far as I'm concerned not changed. I am a retired LEO from FLPD and worked the midnight shift at the Jolly Roger during the Spring Breaks. While other kids were playing on spring break Frank and his brother were busting thier axx helping their father clean up the mess left behind by the Partying college kids. That was a Police Detail that I got paid for by the hotel management. Along with a free room sometimes if I had to work the afternoon shift to catch some ZZZZ's before reporting to work.( Evening shift.) I am a bad, bad cop because I took a free room so I could be awake and alert for the citizens of Fort Lauderdale on my regular shift. I needed the detail to help support my family as we didn't make a lot in those day's. However Frank worked hard to get where he is at. He doesn't deserve the battering by the News Media. As far as I'm concerned Frank has done no wrong. You must also be somewhat of a mover & shaker in the community so as to better serve his Police Dept. That's just part of the job. Chiefs before him did much of the same. You go Frank!!!!!People need to to lay off someone who has served his hometown as a public servant his whole life.
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Let me begin by saying that I have resided in a part of the city that has been plagued by drug dealers,users,prostitutes and the like for the past 20 some years.
It wasn't until after Frank Adderley took the position of Police Chief, and initiated the 40 man team to combat such ills,that we are finally seeing some very noticeable and lasting relief.
I wonder how many individuals presumably beloved and respected by folks attacking the Chief have had dealings with people they KNEW were crooked.
I think those that are writing nasty comments ought to sign their own names on the blogs,and realize that in life,sometimes we all come across people that are not what they appear to be-does that make us all guilty by association???
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Police Chief Adderly is okay in my book...... nobody is perfect, but he is the first Police Chief that I remember that I could talk to and he would listen..... Go get the bad guys Frank.... too bad you couldn't put the cuffs on Rothstien
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I do not believe the "trash" that I am reading about Frankie. (Chief Adderly)
I first met Frank when he was a Raider, & I have always respected him (still do) as one of the best "cops" on the FLPD.
I do not see where a "stupid plane trip" is such a big deal, but I guess to those (Earl) wants to make something of it, to trash our Chief.
Earl do you not have anything better to do? Really you need to get a life....
Maybe you should write some blogs about you Earl, let the community see just how perfect you are....
Tim, thanks for taking the concern & asking Frankie for his side of the story. (as the it should be in the first place, theres always 2 sides of a story) Apparently Earl did not want both sides.
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Thanks Tim for sharing the interview. I have never seen a Police Chief more intune with our City and responsive to the needs of our residents.
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How did Rothstein rate full-time guards at his home????
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Marge......... Rothstein rated full time off duty cops at his house the same way you could....he paid for them!
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the chief has done nothing wrong, he does his job and he does a good job . our community needs him, The chief can realate to our community.The chief is a good man for the Job and the city knows it.Let him do his job. lETS MOVE ON WITH THE MATTER AT HAND THE CITY.
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I don't understand why he is perplexed about being the only one on the hot seat. If he takes that dumb look off his face and realize he is a chief. No he is not perfect, but when you are under a scope you make sure your T's and your I's are perfect. A little research should be done before you have a smoke and a plane ride. The FBI has been investigating Rothstein for a while. It's obvious there are some communication problems some where. Mr. Adderley is all about the politics and himself. Politics are about who you know and who they know, but pleasure and business don't mix well for some people.
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Lets me start off by stating that I am a retired FLPD Sergeant who served the City of Ft. Lauderdale for over 36 years. I moved out of Broward County 7 years and I have no horse in this race. That being said I feel I must contribute to this story. I knew Chief Adderly prior to him becoming an police officer and as a police officer who worked for me at one time when our career paths crossed. Frank rose up through the ranks of the police department because of his merit. Promotions do not come easy within that department. The fact the the Rothstein case has been blown wide open now brings out all the Monday morning quarterbacks many of whom are trying to defame Chief Adderly and others who associated with Rothstein. Once only has to look back a few short months and there was Bernie Madoff, who swindled many of the rich and famous people out of their money much like Rothstein is accused of doing.
The list of Madoff associates and friends includes many notable people, none of whom knew he was a crook.
When Law enforcement agencies undertake an investigation of the magnitude of the Rothstein case they don't go around telling everyone else in Law enforcement what they are doing. This goes for the FBI as well. These investigations are on a need to know basis. The FBI most certainly received confidential information in order to open up such an investigation that local law enforcement agencies would not have been privy to. The FBI has done a fine job. Let the case play out in court where it belongs not on some blog here. As far as Rothstein hiring off duty police officers for his personal security there is nothing wrong with that. The is a common practice as officers are hired for off duty security all the time. These details are fall under department guidelines and are approved by upper level police management prior to an officers working them. Most of the officers working that detail never saw or had any contact with Rothstein as they sat outside his residence in their police cars during their shift. Some bloggers here insinuate that those officers are somehow corrupt because they worked this detail. That's total BS. Chief Adderly has kept silent because this is still an ongoing investigation and he an FBI withness. When the smoke clears Chief Adderly will come out of this as clean as he was when this started and then can get back to doing his job.
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Thank you Bob(Dietrich) for putting in your 2 cents. We both know he did no wrong, but try and tell a public that will never fully understand what it is, being in police work.I think the mayor of NY city was a friend of Madoff why is he not being slammed ? I have a lot of respect for Bob Dietrich he rates up there with one of the best supervisors to have worked for. We need to stand behind Frank as he has always been a fair man no matter your race creed or sex. Again he has worked hard to get to the position he is in now. It would be a mistake to force him out of office.
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Come on !! Frank Aderly is human just like the rest of us. Because he is our Police Chief does not mean that he is required to not make friends with the public. He has to have a life too and trust me his is not as easy at it may appear to most. Most of all he has risen to his position through hard work and dedication which is what America is all about. Just like Allen West, currently running for Congress district 22, Chief Aderly has used American pride and opportunity to allow himself the rise from a less than modest upbringing to elevate himself.Just like Mr. West he has not felt he is entitled to his appointment but deserving of it. Well done Chief and keep up the good work.We need more men and woman to serve our country like you have. And as an ex veteran I say march on and thank you for attending our Wounded Warrior charity, it meant a lot to our soldiers.
Ross Parker
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Oh c'mon..Chief Adderley gets paid damn well to deal with the "not so easy" aspect of being a police officer and his stint in Ft Lauderdale has been plagued with incidents that have left people shaking their heads. With the publicity this Chief has generated we are a laughing stock with police themselves starting to think he is teflon coated. I dont care how long some of you have known him, dont care if he is "genuinely a nice guy" he has made some horrendous exercises in bad judgement with horrendous repercussions of negative publicity and speculations by the very people who pay him..jeez arent any of you tired of this crap yet? I know Police Chief's in other cities who at least had the good sense not to have their dirty laundrey aired to the public every time they get up in the morning..he may be a nice guy, but he isnt Chief material...and so far he hasnt proven himself the brightest bulb in the box..
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