Miami judge issues temporary restraining order against political activist

Posted on August 07, 2009 3:00 AM EST

Miami Judge Flora Seff entered a temporary injunction for protection against domestic violence against Patrick A. Pascuzzo, a political activist, barring him from having any contact with Homestead Councilwoman Judy Waldman. The judge entered the temporary injunction against Pascuzzo for posting a controversial video on a You Tube clip that showed a blonde woman holding a gun to her head. After the clip was shown, the video criticized Waldman for being involved in an election fraud conspiracy. Waldman took the video as a death threat and petitioned the court to issue the temporary injunction.

Anyone served with a notice to appear in court to respond to a temporary injunction for protection against domestic violence or against repeat violence should hire a Miami criminal lawyer to defend the injunction in civil court. If an injunction is granted by a judge, it will become part of your permanent record.

Under the temporary injunction issued by Judge, Seff, Pascuzzo cannot come within 500 feet of Waldman's home, office or Homestead City Hall. He is also prohibited from sending e-mails, sending text messages, calling or posting any videos about Waldman. He is also required to undergo mental health counseling and treatment if needed. The injunction will remain in place until January 7, 2010 when Waldman can petition the court for an extension of the temporary injunction.

The Miami-Dade County State Attorneys' Office investigated the allegations against Pascuzzo, but have not filed any criminal charges to date. After Pascuzzo released the video, he sent an e-mail to law enforcement, the Miami-Dade County States Attorney's Office, the FBI, the U.S. Justice Department and the media claiming that Waldman was involved in an election fraud conspiracy in Homestead, Florida. The accusations made by Pascuzzo against Waldman stem from an ongoing dispute over the appearance of a confederate flag at the Veteran's Day parade last year.

As a result of flag's appearance, tensions rose after the city council decided to create a new community relations board and disband the old one. Pascuzzo has proclaimed that Waldman and other Homestead politicians used the flag dispute against incumbents in the past November election. Waldman has denied involvement in any election fraud conspiracy.

Man Ordered to Stop Harassing Homestead Councilwoman, Miami Herald, August 5, 2009