County Clerk of Courts Danny Kolhage told Key West The Newspaper Wednesday the investigation into allegations of double-dipping by a former court employee is still underway. Kolhage opened the investigation in early October, following a special report by KWTN about former County employees who alleged that Chief Court Reporter Lisa Roeser was double-billing, charging for work performed as both a County employee and an independent contractor. Kolhage said his auditors had to review a massive number of records— but he speculated that the final report might be available by the end of the month.
The Outback Steakhouse, now under construction in the Searstown Shopping Center, has sued the City of Key West, asking for a temporary injunction to stay the enforcement of a stop work order issued by the Building Dept. after the developers of the Overseas Market Shopping Center appealed Outback's building permit. The appeal alleged that the Building Dept. had issued Outback's permit illegally because the restaurant's renovations are so extensive that the cost exceeds 50 percent of the building's value— and, therefore, the City's Floodplain Management Codes now apply. The renovations have to either be scaled back, or the building has to be elevated, lawyers for Overseas Market said.
Attorney Jim Hendrick, who represents Outback Steakhouse, is asking the City to allow construction to continue pending final determination of the appeal. Hendrick is arguing that the building permit was legally issued after a proper review by the City. "A real problem here is that the company has hired more than 80 workers— who may now be without jobs through the holiday season," Hendrick said.
Go figure. Theresa Ludwig, who won the award in the amateur division for "the Best Key Lime Pie in Key West" at the Pier House last Saturday is from Key Largo.
Julia Fondriest won second place and Charlotte Samelstein was the third-place winner.
In the professional division, the top three restaurants entering pies were the Blonde Giraffe, Cafe Sole and the Pier House Resort.