Roger Bernstein's Response

With pressure mounting to explain his having engaged a violent convicted felon to gather intelligence on those who spoke at public meetings in opposition to his development plans, Roger Bernstein says it's OK because, technically, he didn't 'employ' the ex-con.


Since he didn't "employ" the felon - only granted him special access to the now exclusive Wisteria Island - Bernstein wasn't under any obligation to spend the five minutes it takes to discover the violent nature of the man he specifically asked to spy on people.


Bernstein, an attorney, explains it all away as his having simply been approached by a man who just wanted to walk his dog on Wisteria, and who was  concerned about illegal activities allegedly occurring on the island. 


According to Bernstein's May 20, 2011 statement, Dennis Walsh first asked for permission to walk his dog on Wisteria Island, then later came forward with supposed knowledge of illegal activities.


One problem with this story, Bernstein had already directed Walsh to spy on those who'd opposed his development plans, before granting Walsh access to the island.


Seems Bernstein doesn’t want to discuss his letter to Walsh dated September 29, 2010, in which he specifically questions Walsh about the activities of the Girards and Cliff Hartman.  Bernstein specifically points to the Girards' as being part of a wall of opposition to his development and requests more information on them from Walsh.

Cliff Hartman also spoke in opposition to Bernstein's development proposal.  He too is singled-out by Bernstein's request for specific personal information.

Bernstein's letter asking Walsh to gather intelligence on these three opponents was dated September 29, 2010. However, Bernstein didn't grant Walsh privileged access to the island until a month later via his letter of October 28, 2010.

This is the one letter he wrote that wasn’t on F.E.B. letterhead, but we have the post-marked envelope from Roger Bernstein mailed from his from Coral Gables PO Box used by his law office, the same date as noted on the accompanying letter. 

Same return address and Coral Gables postmark for Sept. 29 and Oct. 28 letters