RECENT NEWS

July 11, 2017


Family suing over deputy-involved fatal shooting

Family suing over deputy-involved fatal shooting



July 11, 2017


Loxahatchee man’s family sues PBSO over his December shooting death

“This case involves another in a long line of unjustified police shootings by officers of PBSO, in which Justin Rigney acted consistently with PBSO practices, policies, procedures, and customs of condoning aggressive police tactics, failing to identify, train, discipline, or otherwise properly supervise officers who have engaged in excessive and unjustified use of force,” Kaplan wrote, accusing Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and Rigney of violating Whidden’s constitutional rights.



July 6, 2017


Former Martin County deputy at center of potential record breaking lawsuit against

Kaplan says three of the shootings were involving animals. “Certainly that’s a lot of shootings and a lot of red flags,” Kaplan said. “I can’t find one even closely justified.” Kaplan says the Martin County Sheriff’s Office only documented one of those shootings. The rest came to light, Kaplan says, in a deposition interview in 2004 with Warren after he was involved in a shooting that injured Glenn Tuhey. In the interview, Kaplan says Warren admitted to the seven shootings.



June 30, 2017


Deputy remains behind bars on child porn charges

“Every time we log onto the internet, we’re leaving a foot print," said Stuart Kaplan, a former FBI agent, who's now an attorney based in Palm Beach Gardens. “In reviewing the probable cause affidavit, it seems like this is going to be a very difficult, if not impossible, case for a defendant to get out from underneath," said the lawyer. Kaplan added he’s surprised his former agency, the FBI, is not involved with the Godbey investigation.



June 28, 2017


Department of Homeland Security announces new aviation security measures

We’re trying to combine technology and human intelligence to combat any type of threat, with less disruption to the general public,” said security expert Stuart Kaplan with Kaplan & Sconzo Global Risk Management Group.



June 15, 2017


Possible security breach at event with Vice-President

Former FBI Agent Stuart Kaplan said the document we found could have compromised the event. “Clearly there has been a breach of the security protocol,” Kaplan said. Kaplan said the fact that the seating chart was found in a public place should be a large concern to the Secret Service. “The seating chart itself would be a very closely guarded confidential document that would only be disseminated from the secret service down to any individual on a need to know basis,” Kaplan said. “It would not be a document that would be published for the public, and it would only be given to those individuals who would need to know where these individuals are seated."



June 5, 2017


Former FBI agent discusses London terror attack

Former FBI agent Stuart Kaplan talks about the recent terror attack in London.



June 5, 2017


Former FBI agent reacts to Orlando shooting

Former FBI agent reacts to Orlando shooting.



May 25, 2017


FBI, Coast Guard investigating Delray Beach woman missing at sea

The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed to WPTV Thursday afternoon that the agency is working with the FBI investigating the disappearance of Isabella Hellmann of Delray Beach. Former FBI Special Agent Stuart Kaplan Weighs in.



May 24, 2017


CNN Tonight with Don Lemon 5/24/17 | CNN News Today May 24, 2017



May 23, 2017


Preparing your family for the worst case scenario

Former FBI Special Agent, Stuart Kaplan, said talking to loved ones about situational awareness and having a plan of escape at a concert or sporting arena is crucial. When an attack hits, don’t run to the main exit, since that’s where everyone will go, and make sure your exit is not a dead end. “We know bathrooms have only one way in, and one way out, so that is a situation that I would try to avoid,” said Kaplan.



May 23, 2017


How safe are South Florida concert venues?

“It’s almost impossible to be a hundred percent secure,” Kaplan said. But there are still things you can do. Kaplan said the most important thing is to know your exit strategy. “Try to always visualize your plan and kind of walk yourself mentally through, if God forbid something would happen, what would I do? How would I extricate myself?” Kaplan said. “That time that you may safe because you have a plan in place may be the difference between life or death.”



May 18, 2017


Former FBI agent Stuart Kaplan weighs in on Trump investigation



May 16, 2017


Attorney Stuart Kaplan on Former FBI Director James Comey

Attorney Stuart Kaplan on Former FBI Director James Comey



May 10, 2017

Kaplan Sconzo & Parker, P.A. receives Multi-Million Dollar Verdict in Palm Beach County Jury Trial in Homeowners’ Association Negligence Case

Kaplan Sconzo & Parker, P.A. Attorneys Joseph Fields and Gregory Sconzo secured a $3.7 Million dollar verdict for their clients in a Homeowners’ Association Negligence Case following a rear end collision that occurred within the development. The case involved a rear end accident that occurred at night within the Association. Mr. Fields and Mr. Sconzo presented evidence supporting that the Association allowed street parking despite the Association’s recorded documents prohibiting such street parking. This decision to allow street parking resulted in a longstanding parking problem with cars parking on both sides of the street creating a gauntlet or bottleneck wherein only one car could pass at a time.



Apr 25, 2017


Family pleads for state to drop criminal charges against disabled son

Alvarez’s attorney, Stuart Kaplan, strongly denies the deputy’s version of events pointing he says to physical evidence collected at the scene including bullet casings and bullet holes. “Every single bullet, other than the ones that struck Aldo Alvarez were inside the house of Joshua McGehee which completely contradicts his story,” Kaplan said. “It’s inconceivable that at this point the state attorney’s office continues to want to prosecute Aldo Alvarez.”



Apr 14, 2017

Fomer FBI Special Agent Stuart Kaplan Discusses Manhunt for Facebook Murder Suspect



Apr 7, 2017


Security during presidential visits

Fomer FBI Special Agent Stuart Kaplan Discusses increased security during presidential visits



Mar 26, 2017


State of law enforcement and community relations

John Kazanjian with the Police Benevolent Association and former FBI agent Stuart Kaplan speak on the state of law enforcement and community relations.



March 22, 2017

Investigation: Defending aggressive police conduct in Martin comes at a cost

Palm Beach Gardens attorney Stuart Kaplan said Richard Haston's family is suing the Martin Sheriff’s Office for wrongful death to hold the agency accountable for his 2013 shooting death. "Ninty-nine percent of the men and women who get up every day do a heroic job to protect us and keep us safe. However, there is that 1 percent that either should never have been hired in the first place, or when they do get hired, there's certain classic indicators that indicate their behavior is not acceptable,” he said. “I think there has to be consequences for making those grave mistakes.” Stuart resident James Crocker, who’s also suing the Martin Sheriff’s Office, would likely agree.



Feb 10, 2017


Man living in home where 3 people were killed in Jupiter dealt drugs, affidavit says

Former FBI agent Stuart Kaplan says it's unusual that a convicted felon would agree to an interview with police. "It would seem that most people in that type of situation would exercise their right to remain silent," said Kaplan. Kaplan says based on experience, it's possible Vorpagel talked because he might realize own safety might be on the line.



Feb 6, 2017


Family of Ricky Whidden, Loxahatchee man killed by deputy: Video differs from PBSO version of events

Former FBI Agent Stuart Kaplan is representing the Whidden family. He says the videos don't match the narrative. "There is nothing that would suggest there was any imminent danger to that deputy. Certainly nothing to suggest he lunged at anybody," said Stuart. Kaplan says there are also questions about the use of force used after Whidden was shot and lying on the ground. He shared a picture with Contact 5, showing bite marks all over Ricky Whidden's face.



Feb 6, 2017


New video brings questioning into fatal deputy involved shooting of Ricky Widden

The family believes new video shows Whidden running away from deputies when he was being shot. “it is absolutely inconsistent and not at all indicative of the storyline that’s been put out by the sheriff’s office,” attorney Stuart Kaplan said.



Feb 2, 2017

Deputy shooting draws new scrutiny after lawyer obtains video of encounter

Whidden likely was in the grip of a mental health crisis, and deputies failed to defuse the situation, Kaplan said, citing information from Whidden’s mother, who said she witnessed the encounter. “Mental illness is not a crime,” Kaplan said. Whidden, a father of three, never ran directly toward the deputies, Kaplan said. The video shows him running diagonally across his neighbor’s yard, away from the deputies in the front yard, he said.



Feb 2, 2017

Exclusive: Family of man killed by deputy speaks out

"The video certainly speaks volumes for the lack of attempting to try and negotiate or try to engage him. It's an all out assault, you see the police arrive on scene and basically converge with the guns, dogs and flashlights," says attorney Stuart Kaplan. According to the Sheriff's Office, they claim, "The videos...show Whidden running towards the K9 deputy with knife in hand. The K9 deputy, in fear for his life and the life of his K9 partner, discharged his firearm striking Whidden in the torso area." But Kaplan disagrees, he believes Whidden was shot in the back. "There is absolutely no effort made whatsoever to de-escalate a serious situation where someone has threatened to commit suicide," says Kaplan.



Feb 2, 2017


Kaplan Sconzo and Parker represents the Whidden family in connection with another unjustified shooting involving the PBSO



Jan 31, 2017


Traffic Stop gets attention of Dept. of Homeland Security

Stuart Kaplan, an attorney in Palm Beach Gardens and a former FBI agent, says the feds will no doubt be looking at every possibility. “Is this someone who is aiding and abetting some sort of terrorist organization? In the day and age we are living, we have to always be connecting the dots,” Kaplan said.



Jan 27, 2017

Former School Board member Michael Murgio gets probation in bribery case

"We are relieved. We are happy," Murgio's attorney Stuart Kaplan said. "This has really had a tremendous emotional toll on him." Murgio, 66, in October pleaded guilty to making a false statement to the National Credit Union Administration on behalf of his son, Anthony Murgio.



Jan 27, 2017

Ex-PBC school board member Mike Murgio avoids prison in bitcoin case

Prosecutors called for Murgio to receive a prison sentence of between 10 and 16 months. But attorney Joe Sconzo said that a federal judge gave the former principal a reduced sentence based on his lack of a criminal past and his long career as an educator. “His past history of community service, his active role in the community, his lifetime of being an educator and a public servant, all lean toward Mr. Murgio never coming back before a court for anything ever again,” Sconzo said.



Jan 25, 2017

Ex-school board member Mike Murgio hopes to avoid prison time

Murgio’s attorneys are asking a judge to give him a year of probation instead, saying that the longtime educator had never been in legal trouble before and has already paid a heavy price by resigning from the county school board. “Those consequences in and of themselves certainly speak volumes,” attorney Stuart Kaplan said. “We think that he’s been punished enough.” In a sentencing request filed earlier this month, his attorneys called his crime “an absolute deviation from the character and integrity he has been known for over the course of his life.” “He has absolutely no prior criminal history and has been, and continues to be, a man who puts the love of his family, friends and the community before his need for financial gain or recognition,” attorneys Kaplan and Joseph Sconzo wrote.



Jan 18, 2017

Ex-Palm Beach School Board member Murgio seeks leniency in sentencing

Murgio, 66, faces 10 to 16 months in prison, and a fine of $3,000 to $30,000, said his lawyer, Joe Sconzo. Sentencing is scheduled for noon Jan. 27 in New York. Sconzo is asking U.S. District Court Alison J. Nathan to give Murgio probation instead of prison time and no fine. "In stark contrast to the life he led before this aberration, and the sterling reputation he has earned and enjoyed throughout his life, Mr. Murgio will present himself as a disgraced and humiliated man who could have never envisioned the situation in which he now finds himself," Sconzo wrote in a sentencing memorandum filed Wednesday.



Jan 17, 2017


Donald Trump and Palm Beach County

"This is a unique situation,” said former FBI agent Stuart Kaplan. He takes one look at Mar-a-Lago and sees several risks. Former FBI agent Stuart Kaplan. "Generally wide open to the general public. You have this access which is this beach, the water access which gives direct view, visual site into the property itself,” he said. “Then of course you have properties across from Mar-a-Lago itself so there are strategic issues that are going to need to be addressed."



Jan 17, 2017


Former FBI agent weighs in on arrest of Noor Salman

A former FBI agent said the arrest of the wife of the man responsible for the massacre at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando shows federal authorities plan to charge who may be connected to the shootings. Advertisement Stuart Kaplan is now an attorney in Palm Beach County. He said the arrest of Noor Salman on Monday means prosecutors believe Salman knew what her husband, Omar Mateen, planned to do. “When he texted her in the middle of carrying out this massacre, it was to no surprise,” Kaplan said. “And the text messages corroborate that.”



Jan 15, 2017


Widow of Pulse Nightclub gunman charged in connection to crime

Kaplan said it’s clear federal authorities do not believe that’s true. “The U.S. Attorney's Office is well satisfied that the evidence suggests that she's not an innocent spouse, that she was a knowing, willing participant,” he said. Salman is expected to appear before a judge in California on Tuesday morning.



Jan 11, 2017


Dontrell Stephens' attorney gets approval from federal judge to auction PBSO sergeant's property

"This case cries out for compassion. There's no doubt Dontrell Stephens, for the rest of his life will spend the rest of his life in a wheel chair," said Stuart Kaplan, former FBI special agent. Kaplan says the move by a federal judge, even when the 22.4 million dollar jury verdict is up for appeal, speaks to the need to start getting money to Stephens. "The judge has been satisfied and realizes the urgency that it is more important to try to get this young man some money so that he can offset some of these, I can only imagine what his medical bills are to date," added Kaplan.



Jan 9, 2017


Former FBI agent shares thoughts on Fort Lauderdale airport shooting

"As the evidence has indicated to date, this is a young man who clearly was suffering from a mental illness," said former FBI agent Stuart Kaplan. Kaplan believes the FBI did the appropriate thing when Esteban Santiago came to their Anchorage, Alaska, office in November saying his mind was being controlled by U.S. intelligence agents.



Jan 6, 2017


A former member of the FBI discusses the shooting Friday at FLL.



Jan 4, 2017


Family slams sentence, plea agreement, in DUI manslaughter case

"There was never a plea conference, I was told after the plea was already made," Van Orden's mother Lorraine Prescott said. "(They) left me out. I mean for crying out loud, my son's body was left in the road in three pieces, how many pieces did he get it in to get justice?" The state maintains there was no real witness to the incident and says this was the best plea they could negotiate. A spokesman says the family was always included during plea negotiations and says they can not comment further since this is an active case.



Dec 22, 2016


PBSO deputy charged with identity theft

"There is so much information contained within those databases," said former FBI agent Stuart Kaplan, who's now an attorney based in Palm Beach Gardens. Kaplan said a law enforcement officer has access to the driver and vehicle information system, as well as the FBI's crime database. "And if that information gets into the wrong hands, unfortunately it could have devastating consequences," said Kaplan.



Dec 14, 2016


Dalia Dippolito’s ex-husband Michael: All she had to do was divorce me

Michael Dippolito said Wednesday he doesn’t have any ill feelings toward his ex-wife, Dalia Dippolito even though police say she attempted to hire someone to kill him only six months after the two were married in 2009.



Dec 14, 2016


As third trial looms, Dalia Dippolito's lawyers plan to stick with condemn-the-cops defense

Elizabeth Parker and Stuart Kaplan, Palm Beach County defense lawyers representing Michael Dippolito, said one factor that could have played in the deadlocked jury is public scrutiny of officers is heightened across the country. The public is less likely to rubber-stamp everything done by police, said Kaplan, a former FBI agent. "The integrity of any criminal investigation is always at issue," he said. "I think six years ago, you could get around it, and that law enforcement would certainly get the benefit of the doubt, if in fact there were some mistakes." But "we're in 2016 going into 2017. Law enforcement across the board is not going to get any breaks."



Dec 14, 2016


Judge Declares Mistrial in Dalia Dippolito's Murder for Hire Retrial

A judge has declared a mistrial today in the murder-for-hire case against Dalia Dippolito, the south Florida woman accused of hiring an undercover police officer posing as a hitman to kill her husband of six months, saying jurors were deadlocked. "We the jury, after further deliberation, still cannot reach a unanimous verdict," said Judge Glenn D. Kelley today in court, reading the jury's statement. "I must declare a mistrial," Kelley said.



Nov 28, 2016


New study raises questions over the effectiveness of police body cameras

WPTV's Law Enforcement Expert Stuart Kaplan is not surprised by the Milwaukee and Spokane studies. “After a few days, you become completely unaware of the fact that all of your actions are actually being captured on video,” he says. Kaplan believes the real issue is not the cameras - it's training. “If you should not have been a law enforcement officer in the first place, that video camera is not going to be necessarily a deterrent,” he says. Kaplan says the camera debate distracts from that issue.



Nov 23, 2016


President-elect's visit costs local law enforcement agencies

"It's a tremendous effort," said Stuart Kaplan, a former FBI agent. The Secret Service is the lead organization but federal agents can't do it all on their own. "Local law enforcement is really a very critical component to work with the Secret Service," Kaplan said. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deployed several deputies to work on traffic, perimeter and crowd control. "More visible police uniform presence is very import and very integral in protecting the president," Kaplan said.



Nov 22, 2016


Trump pasará Thanksgiving en su mansión de Florida

"Va a ser un examen de equilibrio para el Servicio Secreto, tendrán que equilibrar los protocolos a los que están acostumbrados para proteger al presidente sin molestar en demasía a los otros miembros que seguramente estarán ahí para disfrutar de esta festividad", dijo Stuart Kaplan, ex agente del FBI. El Aeropuerto Internacional de Palm Beach también se verá afectado cuando el presidente electo aterrice o despegue. "Todas las aeronaves en tierra deben detenerse y las que estén en vuelo deberán alterar su ruta por al menos 45 minutos para permitir que el avión que transporta al presidente electo, aterrice, Y hasta que ingrese o a un carro o a un helicóptero para llevarlo a Mar-a-lago", agregó Kaplan.



Nov 10, 2016


Trump presidency likely to impact local traffic, air travel, boating, security expert says

According to security expert Stuart Kaplan, the Secret Service will likely enforce a secure perimeter around the president-elect wherever he goes, including his Mar-a-Lago club on Palm Beach's Intracoastal Waterway. "There is going to be a perimeter of security to preclude boats from coming in and if anyone is planning to leave any activities in that immediate area would be suspended," said Kaplan, a Palm Beach Gardens-based attorney and former FBI special agent.



Nov 4, 2016


Concern over cyber security

“Obviously the biggest concern is that this will impact and dissuade people from going out and casting their vote because people will be concerned for their safety,” said Former FBI agent Stuart Kaplan. Kaplan says while Florida wasn’t the focus of those threats, people need to remain vigilant . “They need to pay attention to their surroundings. It could happen at any time in any place," said Kaplan.



Nov 3, 2016


Pulse nightclub shooter's passing law enforcement test raises questions

Former FBI Agent Stuart Kaplan says the test is not strong enough and bad applicants can fall through the cracks. "The fact that you 're entrusted with a certain amount of power, really requires someone to have a level of maturity, to understand the position that they've been entrusted in," Kaplan said.



Nov 1, 2016


Former FBI agent says Austin Harrouff’s drug test should be complete by now

Former FBI agent Stuart Kaplan says the test should in fact be done by now. Kaplan says the test typically takes about 30 days. “In most routine matters, and I can assure you, since this crime happened more than 30 days ago.. that the results have already come to light,” Kaplan said.



Oct 31, 2016


Former FBI Special Agent Stuart Kaplan on Clinton emails review

Kaplan believes Comey wrestled with how to handle the discovery for days if not weeks as agents can't instantaneously discover emails. "Jim Comey did not wake up on Friday morning deciding to write this letter. This has been something that he has probably been vacillating with for a very long time since the conclusion of the Congressional hearings going on back in July," says Kaplan. Kaplan says its nearly impossible to complete the review before Election Day.



Oct 31, 2016


Former FBI Special Agent on Clinton emails

Former FBI special agent Stuart Kaplan reacts to the latest on the Clinton email investigation



Oct 19, 2016


Settlement reached in deputy shooting of autistic teen

Lawyers for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the family of a Boynton Beach teen shot and killed by a deputy four years ago have reached a settlement for more than $1 million.



Sept 26, 2016


Killer Clown Case In Wellington Remains A Mystery

"Because of the advancement of science they may be able to recover DNA evidence which could not have been extracted 20 years ago and that ultimately could be cross referenced with somebody who's already been identified in the system," Stuart Kaplan, former FBI agent said.



Sept 20, 2016


The Lineup with Nurit Zunger i24 News Tel Aviv



Sept 19, 2016


Bombing suspect captured

Former FBI Agent Stuart Kaplan spoke with WPBF to help us understand how the NYC bombing suspect was caught and what's happening now. Tiffany Kenney reports.



Sept 18, 2016


NY, NJ bombings on the minds of local travelers

“If someone seems like they’re off the beat and path and they’re espousing anti-American sentiment, please bring it to the attention of law enforcement,” said Kaplan. Kaplan says it’s important to remember an attack like this could happen anywhere.



Sept 15, 2016

mosque arsonistAccused mosque arsonist had history of posting anti-Islam internet rants

The man now accused of setting a mosque on fire shared numerous anti-Islam articles, including one titled, “Only a demented fool believes Islam is not a problem. Former FBI Agent Stuart Kaplan says he fits the profile. “When someone articulates that type of anti-religious statement it is somewhat concerning and certainly would draw the attention to someone that would under investigation for this type of crime,” said Kaplan.



Sept 14, 2016


Profiling arsonist after Fort Pierce mosque fire

"I can tell you that this film could easily be sent to the FBI laboratory in Quantico," said former FBI agent and defense attorney Stuart Kaplan. CBS 12 showed the surveillance video to Kaplan to help profile the suspect. He believes this person was aware that cameras were around the mosque, recording his every move. "Is it someone who is known in the community who lives close by to this mosque?" Kaplan also believes there's enough physical characteristics of the suspect on video that should help someone say, "Hey, that looks like so and so."



Sept 12, 2016


Have the murders of a mother and daughter shopping at a Boca mall gone cold?



Sept 1, 2016


Deputy under investigation after pulling gun on motorcyclist

We showed the video to our law enforcement consultant-- a former FBI agent turned lawyer, Stuart Kaplan, his assessment was that the deputy violating multiple protocols. “It seems to be unprofessional, it seems to be unwarranted,” Kaplan said. “A vehicle pursuit or actually taking enforcement action-- by an off-duty deputy-- should only be done under the most extraordinary circumstances, basically, to save the life of someone else. By my looking at the video, I think, certainly, this is a deputy who allowed his emotions to get the better of him,” Kaplan said.



August 15, 2016

Civil Rights ViolationsCivil Rights Violations

The Constitution of the United States offers protection and liberties to all Americans for certain rights and privileges that are called our civil rights. While most of us have heard the term—and probably have a vague notion about what our civil rights actually are, many Americans don’t know exactly what rights are covered when referring to our civil rights or when our civil rights have been violated.

So let’s start at the beginning. What exactly is a civil right?
Read More >>

 

August 9, 2016

DUI Basics in Florida

DUI Basics in FloridaIt starts out like any other Friday night. You’re in full-out TGIF mode and ready to kick off the weekend with a bang. You decide to head out to happy hour with some work friends. When you get to the local hot spot, you see they’re offering 2-for- 1 drinks. It’s hard to resist a good BOGO, so you drink more than you usually would. At this point, it’s getting late, so you head out to your car, not realizing quite how tipsy you are, until those flashing red lights appear in your rearview mirror. Your head’s spinning, you’re feeling panicked and a bit nauseous. What are the DUI basics you need to know in Florida? Read More >>


Aug 4, 2016


FBI mob bust nets 46 arrests, including acting boss in Boca Raton

Stuart Kaplan, a former FBI agent who worked organized crime cases in New York, says these indictments are significant but they may not cripple the mob very much. “For every individual that may go to jail, there may be two, three, four or five waiting in the wings to replace them,” Kaplan said.



Aug 4, 2016


CBS12 Investigates: “Buprenorphine” Clinics, the new pill mill?

Former FBI agent Stuart Kaplan told us those same limits have created a moneymaking culture where doctors, dealers and patients are cashing in. "Most of the time when I've seen doctors or facilities accept cash, it's because they've been driven by greed. They realize and they know that they're breaking the law, and they hope that they go undetected," said Kaplan.




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March 9th, 2016

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Contact us today at (561) 296-7900 for a FREE consultation and to learn more about how we can help you. We are available 24/7.

 


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