Witness: No anti-Semitic remark said

An official says Tarpon's purchasing director acted professionally in dealing with a contractor over a billing dispute.

By KELLEY BENHAM, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 21, 2002

TARPON SPRINGS -- A witness to a dispute between a city official and a contractor this week says purchasing director Randall Dault did not provoke a leg-breaking threat by making an anti-Semitic remark.

Dault and Public Services Administrator Paul Smith met with Howard Schultz of All Tree Service on Monday to discuss the city's suspicions of overbilling for work Schultz performed in June.

After the meeting, both Dault and Schultz called police. Officers arrested Schultz and charged him with grand theft in the double-billing and with threatening to break both officials' legs. Schultz accused Dault of saying, "All Jews are the same."

"I can assure you Randy never uttered such a statement or anything even similar to that," Smith said Friday.

Schultz, 66, made the accusation to police Monday and to the Times Wednesday. Dault denies the remark in Friday's story.

Smith declined to comment for that story but said Friday morning he hadn't realized Schultz was making public accusations about Dault or he would have clarified the matter.

"My role in that meeting was as a witness, and I paid close and careful attention to what was said by all parties," Smith said. Dault acted professionally throughout the meeting, he said.

"He stuck to the facts and was even polite when this man became verbally abusive," Smith said.

"It's just not fair that somebody would make something up that's totally untrue and could possibly damage the reputation of a fine city employee."

Schultz of 1117 Marina Ave. spent 30 hours in jail before posting $10,000 bail Tuesday. He was charged with grand theft and threatening a public official.

He said he made a simple billing error that caused him to be paid three times for two jobs, and that he lost his temper in the meeting at City Hall after being accused of stealing.

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