Posted By: Tom Hustler
Wed Nov 8, 6:55 PM ET
A criminal investigation of political consultant Doug Guetzloe featured in Local 6 investigations has revealed a money trail leading through one of Orlando's most prominent law firms, Local 6 News has learned. However, the firm is refusing to say why it paid Guetzloe about $500,000.
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Real estate attorney Hal Kantor, of the law firm Lowndes, Drosdic, Doster, Kantor and Reed, is a wizard when it comes to answering questions that help turn empty land into massive developments for his clients, according to Problem Solver Tony Pipitone.
"Kantor's clients pay dearly for answers to tough questions on their behalf," Pipitone said. "But, don't ask why he paid Doug Guetzloe near $50,000 a month for more than 10 months from his law firm's accounts.
"($471,000) to Doug Guetzloe? Pipitone asked. "What was that money for?" "Sir, what was that money for? Tell me, what was that money for?"
"Sir, I am not talking to you, as I indicated to you," Kantor said.
Pipitone said Kantor is not the only person vowing silence.
The report featured Steve Walsh, the head of a partnership Kantor represented as it sunk $5 million into a stalled development called The Carlise in Winter Park, Fla.
"(I) wonder, if you approved of any of those payments to Doug Guetzloe?" Pipitone asked. "Were you involved in that, sir? Can you tell me, Mr. Walsh? Do you approve of those payments to Doug Guetzloe through that law firm?"
"Be serious," Walsh said.
Pipitone reported that the questions asked of Walsh were serious enough to intrigue criminal investigators who tried to connect the payments to anonymous fliers Guetzloe sent, trashing a Winter Park candidate who opposed The Carlise.
"Guetzloe faces misdemeanor charges for the mailings and denies any of the Lowdnes, Drosdick payments -- which ended just after that election -- had anything to do with the election fliers," Pipitone said.
Walsh said he had nothing to say about the payments.
"Or, ask Kantor (about the payments), and you get no answers about the mystery money," Pipitone said.
"Can you tell the public why you did it, sir?" Pipitone asked. "You funneled $471,000 to Doug Guetzloe through your firm. Tell me why."
There was also no response about the money from one of Walsh's partners in The Carlise, Allan Keen. Keen is the chairman of the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority.
"Keen ordered the Authority to pay Guetzloe what amounted to more than $107,000 -- some of it during the time Guetzloe was mailing out the anonymous flier attacking the mayoral candidate who opposed The Carlise that Keen, Walsh and Kantor were pushing," Pipitone said.
Keen denies the Expressway Authority money had anything to do with his private interests.
Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
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