Jerome Berlin and Michael Pecora, pioneer developers of palatial banquet halls in Broward and Miami-Dade, died Tuesday of gunshot wounds in a murder-suicide behind the locked doors of a second-floor office while hundreds of students lunched downstairs. The death of Berlin, a nationally known Democratic fundraiser, shocked politicians and activists in Washington, South Florida and around the country. Pecora, an author, entrepreneur and catering
guru, was widely mourned.
WERE PARTNERS: Michael Pecora and
Jerry Berlin in the chapel of the Signature
Grand in Davie. 1998 HERALD FILE

A receptionist at Signature Grand in Davie reported hearing a loud argument, then three gunshots behind closed doors around 11:15 a.m. Tuesday. Officers forced their way into an executive office and found the two bodies inside.

The fatal shooting came during an African Heritage Forum at the 100,000-square-foot hall with about 800 eighth-graders in attendance. The children, eating at the time, were not immediately evacuated. Later, leaving on yellow school buses, the students didn't appear to know that a shooting had occurred at the hall. They cheered and waved at the crowd of news media covering the mayhem.

THEORIES OFFERED

Co-workers offered a theory: A memo tacked onto the time clock at the Signature Grand Monday evening stated that Arlene Pecora, wife of Michael, should not be allowed on the premises and that her position was terminated. The memo and subsequent firing could have sparked the argument. Or, police said, it could have come over spiraling financial problems.

This much is known: Pecora entered the office Tuesday morning, angry. Sometime during a heated exchange with Berlin, he pulled out a handgun, according to Davie Police Lt. Bill Bamford. Three shots rang out. Berlin was shot twice in the chest, Pecora once in the mouth. Employees called police.

''I can't believe Michael would do something like this,'' said Alex Alba, a subcontractor with Signature Grand who has known the two men for 14 years. ``He was so low-key, soft-spoken.''

Employees and associates said they did not know why Berlin would have fired Arlene Pecora, who was director of catering and booked the banquets. Said Alba: ``I guess he wasn't happy with her work.''

Downstairs in a banquet room, students picked through boxed lunches of ham and turkey sandwiches, punch and chocolate chip cookies. Later, officials discreetly ushered them out of the building. They were not told of the shooting.

Police stopped traffic on State Road 84 near 70th Avenue and blocked off the entrance to the hall, only allowing family members and close associates inside. Shortly after the shooting, a rabbi and family members arrived at the scene and were ushered in.

POWERFUL FUNDRAISER

Berlin, 60, was a lawyer, a man once described as one of the nation's most powerful Democratic fundraisers. He had raised millions of dollars for political candidates over the years at black-tie affairs in his Miami home.

''Jerry was an intense political player on the local and national scene,'' said lobbyist Ron Book, who attended several fundraisers at his home.

Pecora, 51, was a catering guru who had just completed Behind the Scenes: The Insider's Guide to Planning Your Wedding, a book one associate called ``the most comprehensive thing I've ever seen anybody write about the wedding business.''

'People thought, `What is a CPA and a lawyer doing with a food guy?' '' said Anthony Juska, a friend of Pecora's for more than 20 years and former general manager of both banquet halls. ``But they did complement each other. Both of them together is what made them successful.''

Pecora was a graduate of Miami Killian Senior High and Florida International University who entered the catering business in the mid-1970s, specializing in kosher foods. During those early years, Pecora served as catering director at Temple Emanu-el in Miami Beach.

Then Pecora approached Berlin, an attorney and one of his best clients, about opening a snazzy banquet hall aimed at the middle class. Berlin had the connections and could help raise the money.

NEW HALL

Signature Gardens, a 58,000-square-foot hall, opened near Florida's Turnpike in Kendall in 1985.

Ten years later, the partners broke ground on the 100,000-square foot Signature Grand in Broward, hoping it would be the prototype for a national chain. But those plans never panned out, apparently because of the high cost of land. At least one investor said he never received any return on his investment.

Still, Pecora and Berlin dreamed of other ventures. They wanted to build Celebration Pavilions, a smaller version of the Signature mansions that they could franchise nationwide.

Several associates said Berlin and Pecora always seemed amicable and never fought. At least, not in public. The pair were ''most respectful of one another when I was involved,'' said Jay Steinman, a real estate lawyer for Berlin. ``I never saw the two of them at odds.''

Alba, the business associate, said he was with the two men last weekend for a bridal show held at the Grand.

''Everything was fine; they were getting along, it was business like usual,'' Alba said.

But other sources said Berlin had mounting financial obligations. His contentious divorce from Gwen, his wife of 25 years, recently became final, and the parting was costly. The divorce came amid an affair between Berlin and Marna Ross. He planned to marry Ross in May and was working on a prenuptial agreement.

The banquet business took a hit after Sept. 11, with scores of companies canceling holiday parties and other events.

''He was used to living beyond his means. As his means got smaller, he had to adjust,'' said a close friend of Berlin's. ``The tight economy had hurt his business. He had a lot of financial commitments.''

About two years ago, Berlin had become more spiritual and was traveling to Israel to study at a yeshiva. He had to stop those trips recently, because of financial strains but was eager to resume them. Bottom line: He needed money. He recently asked to take a payout from the Signature Grand partnership. He got Pecora to agree, reluctantly, and Pecora took a payout as well, sources said.

Employees said scheduled events at the Signature Grand would not be canceled. An event was held Tuesday night, with police standing sentry at the entrance to ensure arriving guests would not be hounded by the media.

Herald staff writers Patrick Danner, Dale DuPont, Hector Florin, Cindy Krischer Goodman, Shannon Pease, Beth Reinhard and Hannah Sampson contributed to this report.

Vips Pay Last Respects to Berlin
Politicians Eulogize Slain Fundraiser

By Wanda J. Demarzo
Miami Herald
May 03, 2003

Jerome ''Jerry'' Berlin -- who vacationed with Al Gore, witnessed the historic handshake between Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, and raised millions of dollars for Democratic candidates at black-tie banquets -- was laid to rest on Friday.

More than 200 friends, business associates and employees from the Signature Grand in Davie, which he co-owned, attended a somber service. Among the mourners from the political realm: Tom Daschle, the Senate minority leader from South Dakota; Sen. Kent Conrad, D-North Dakota; Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts Harvey Ruvin; and former Florida Attorney General Bob Butterworth.

''He knew every senator, Republican or Democrat,'' said Butterworth. ``He never asked anybody for anything. He was a giving person. He cared about people and really, this is a true loss, not only for everyone that is here today, but to everyone in this state and in this country. We grieve his loss.''

Berlin, 60, shot to death in a murder-suicide Tuesday by business partner Michael Pecora, was buried at Lakeside Memorial Park in West Miami-Dade, following a 10 a.m. service at Levitt Weinstein Memorial Chapel in North Miami Beach.

Nine pallbearers carried the wooden casket out of the chapel.

Daschle, one of Berlin's pallbearers, spoke to those sitting in the filled-to-capacity chapel:

''In spite of the fact that he raised more money for me than anyone else, not once did he ever come to me and ask me for a favor legislatively,'' said Daschle, who fought back tears during the eulogy.

''He had a passion for life that was evident from the first moment you met him,'' Daschle said. ``When my father died six years ago, Gwen [Berlin's ex-wife] and Jerry were the first to arrive and stayed helping my mother and family for about a week. They were so generous.''

Conrad, a longtime friend of Berlin and another of his pallbearers, said Berlin ``was somebody who was full of life.''

''You couldn't find a more vibrant person,'' Conrad said. ``He cared deeply about his country, about Israel, about his family and his relationships. When he was in a room you knew it. We are going to miss him very much.''

Berlin's adult children, Bret, Sharon and Ashley, addressed the mourners and then hosted an early-evening Shiva in Miami Lakes.

A Mass will be said for Pecora at noon Monday at St. David Catholic Church, 3900 S. University Dr., Davie.

Following the funeral, family and guests will be received at the Signature Grand, 6900 W. State Road 84, in Davie.

Herald staff writers Beth Reinhard and Hector Florin and CBS-4 contributed to this report.

Catering Clans to Keep Joint Control
Murder Suicide Wont's Cause Rift, Successors Say

Last month's murder-suicide deaths of two catering hall operators will not prevent their relatives from running the business together, the son of the murder victim said Monday.

Michael Pecora shot and killed Jerome ''Jerry'' Berlin on April 29 before shooting himself in an office at their Signature Grand in Davie, a murder-suicide that revealed a vicious rift in an 18-year business partnership. Berlin had tried to fire Pecora's wife, Arlene, the day before and ordered employees to keep her off the premises -- a public ouster Pecora cited in an apparent suicide note.

But if a bitter falling out led to the partners' deaths, their successors will remain on good terms, said Bret Berlin, Jerry's 33-year-old son.

''We're both experiencing a lot of grief right now,'' he told The Herald. ``But know that Arlene and I have always enjoyed an excellent working relationship. Up to last month, we shared an office together. And I don't see why that relationship won't continue.''

In the weeks following the deaths, Signature representatives said Arlene Pecora would take over her husband's role in running two cavernous reception halls: the Signature Grand in Davie and Kendall's Signature Gardens, which opened in 1985. This appears to be the first time Bret Berlin has ruled out challenging her promotion.

''Both Jerry Berlin and Michael Pecora left a clear succession plan,'' he said. ``And it's going to pass to the responsibility of Arlene and I.''

In his will, Berlin, 60, put his son in charge of his estate, but that plan has been stalled by his fiancée, Marna Winter. Her lawyer has filed papers asking a Miami-Dade circuit judge to delay naming a personal representative to administer the estate until Winter can be heard at a hearing later this month.

The court filing, known as a caveat, did not elaborate on why Winter wanted the delay. Bret Berlin had sought a quick appointment as personal representative to further stabilize the business after his father's death, but the caveat entitled Winter to a 20-day delay in the process, said Norman Benford, an estate lawyer for Bret Berlin.

Benford said the caveat came as a surprise and that Winter's lawyer, Paul Cowan, has not said what concerns she might have about the estate plan or about Bret's role as administrator.

Cowan was not available for an interview Monday afternoon.

Berlin was a prominent fundraiser for national Democrats, bringing him invitations to the White House and vacations with Al Gore. Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle delivered one of Berlin's eulogies.

Berlin's will leaves most of his property -- including cars, furniture and a Williams Island condominium -- to Winter. But the will, on file in Circuit Court, does not outline who will inherit his shares in the Signature business or the rest of his financial holdings. Those details are laid out in a trust document that has not been made public.

But the will does lay bare an apparently bitter rift with someone else close to Berlin -- one of his two grown daughters.

The will, which Berlin signed on July 23, 2002, specifically excludes Sharon Berlin, 32, from inheriting anything.

''For reasons best known to my daughter,'' the will says, ''and as a result of her refusal to communicate with or have a loving relationship with me, and for which I have suffered immeasurably, it is my intent that Sharon and her issue are specifically excluded from consideration'' of sharing in the estate.

Sharon, a mother of two, could not be reached Monday.

In a letter to his wife the day before he shot Berlin, Pecora seemed to portray the murder as a way to preserve her role in the business. He said he did not want to endure a court fight with Berlin over control of the business.

The next day, he posted a note to employees telling them to ignore Berlin's dismissal of Arlene.

He also wrote a memo appointing her president ''in my absence'' of Grand Partners and Deux Michel, the companies that owned the two catering halls.

Twenty days after the deaths, Bret Berlin said the murder-suicide had not had an impact on the business besides the emotional toll on the people working there. May is a busy month for the spacious halls, as graduation and prom parties beef up the normal schedule of weddings, corporate events and parties.

''For this month, we're going to go through 1,108 cakes,'' Bret said, adding he had just tallied May's totals for beef tenderloin (1,085 pounds) and daiquiri mix (400 gallons).

''Business is strong,'' he said. ``There are no financial problems here.''

Bret Berlin and a lawyer for the business dismissed reports by two investors of financial problems there.

Stuart A. Rosenfeldt, a Fort Lauderdale lawyer representing Signature Grand and Signature Gardens, said the facilities reported record profits last year, and that revenue topped $12 million.

''The entire hospitality industry in Florida suffered a slowdown,'' Bret Berlin said. ``But in the last year, our revenues have increased. . . . I will tell you, we're doing very well.''

Herald staff writer Patrick Danner contributed to this report.
 

Feud on Menu for Hall's Heirs

By Douglas Hanks Iii
Miami Herald
August. 20, 2003

Less than four months after the partners died in a murder-suicide, the heirs of the Signature catering halls' slain owners are fighting over the business, according to court documents and interviews with people familiar with the dispute.

Bret Berlin, son of Jerome Berlin, has asked a judge to block Arlene Pecora from taking charge of her late husband's estate, which owns half of the two Signature catering halls. Michael Pecora fatally shot Jerome Berlin on April 29 at the Signature Grand in Davie, then turned the gun on himself, all in an apparent bid to install Arlene Pecora as a partner in the business.

On the day of the murder-suicide, Michael Pecora, 51, wrote a letter transferring his stock to Arlene, and she recently asked a Broward Circuit Court judge to ratify that transaction.

Bret Berlin's lawyers have said they will oppose the request, according to Michael Moskowitz, a lawyer for Arlene Pecora.

The legal maneuverings have been the first public signs of a rift between Bret Berlin and Arlene Pecora, who have said they would run the popular catering halls as partners despite the horrible circumstances that put them in charge.

But Moskowitz suggested that the recent court disputes have put the future of the Signature Grand and its sister facility, Kendall's Signature Gardens, in jeopardy.

''Everybody's got to get their acts together quickly if there's going to be a business,'' he said in a phone interview.

A bitter falling-out between Jerome Berlin and Arlene Pecora apparently spurred Michael Pecora to murder his longtime business partner. Jerome Berlin fired Arlene on April 28, but Michael issued a memo to staff rescinding the order the next day. In a suicide note to Arlene, Michael wrote, ``Berlin told me he hated you and wanted to humiliate you -- which I couldn't let happen.''

Pecora wrote that he didn't see an alternative and that ``a long, drawn-out lawsuit with an animal like Berlin would only ruin us.''

In asking a judge to appoint an independent custodian to manage Pecora's estate, Bret Berlin accused Arlene of mishandling the estate's assets and trying to take some for herself. He also cited lawsuits she has filed against Berlin companies, an apparent reference to her bid for the stock in the Signature companies.

Bret Berlin declined to comment Tuesday night.

Michael Pecora's 1984 will leaves everything to Arlene and puts her in charge of his estate as Michael's personal representative. Gwen Berlin, Bret's mother and Jerome's ex-wife, has joined her son in trying to block Arlene from becoming personal representative, saying Arlene's mishandling of the estate could affect her divorce settlement.

A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Oct. 8 in Broward Circuit Court.

The dispute over the Pecora will comes on the heels of similar fighting over the Berlin will. Jerome Berlin's fiancéée, Marna Winter, tried to block the 33-year-old Bret's appointment as personal representative of his father's estate, saying he shouldn't be running the business and the estate at the same time.

This month, a judge rejected Winter's argument and named Bret to manage the estate. Jerome Berlin, a prominent Democratic fundraiser, named his son to replace him in the business should he die, though his will splits his share of the business into thirds, leaving one each to Winter, Bret Berlin and a trust fund for a daughter, Ashley Berlin, 24.

Winter has complained in court documents that she can't access Jerome Berlin's mail or pay bills for the condominium they shared in Aventura. Last week, Chase Manhattan Mortgage filed foreclosure proceedings against the condo, saying that the payments stopped on May 1 and that almost $730,000 was due on the loan.

Herald staff writer Jay Weaver contributed to this report.

New Suit in Catering-Hall Feud

the Wife of the Man Who Shot His Business Partner,
Then Killed Himself Now Wants to Oust
the Murder Victim's Son from the Catering Halls' Operations.

By Patrick Danner and Douglas Hanks III
The Miami Herald
December 6, 2003

The tension between the heirs of a South Florida catering-hall operation continued to escalate Friday in the wake of the April murder-suicide of the businesses' two principals.

The latest salvo: Arlene Pecora, whose husband, Michael, fatally shot his partner, Jerome Berlin, before killing himself on April 29 at the Signature Grand in Davie, has sued to oust Berlin's son, Bret, from the business.

Arlene Pecora and Bret Berlin assumed the duties of Michael Pecora and Jerry Berlin, respectively, following the shootings. But Alice Pecora claims in a lawsuit filed in Broward Circuit Court that Bret Berlin has exerted complete control and damaged the business by meddling with managers' decisions and demoralizing staff.

''Bret has totally disrupted the business operations,'' said Michael W. Moskowitz, Arlene Pecora's Fort Lauderdale lawyer. ``His actions have gotten worse on a daily basis.''

The suit and Moskowitz's comments are the strongest suggestion yet from either side that day-to-day operations at the two catering halls, the Signature Grand and the Signature Gardens in Kendall, have suffered from their founders' violent deaths. In the weeks following the shootings, Arlene and Bret said they planned to work together as partners, but their antagonism soon surfaced in court documents.

In an interview Friday, Bret, saying he had not seen the suit, declined to comment on the allegations. He said managers run day-to-day operations at the halls, shielding the business from his dispute with Arlene.

''I continue to try to work with Arlene and would like to develop a good working relationship with her,'' he said. ``Fortunately, we have a strong professional team in place running the business.''

Arlene's lawsuit was filed nine days after Bret filed a wrongful-death suit against Michael Pecora's estate. Pecora and Jerome Berlin, partners for 18 years, apparently feuded over Pecora's bid to install his wife as partner.

In August, Bret Berlin sued to block Arlene Pecora from taking charge of her late husband's estate, which owns half of the shares in the halls. The two sides agreed to the appointment of a lawyer to oversee the stake.

In an interview, Moskowitz said Bret Berlin had removed the halls' accountants and taken possession of the checkbooks.

''As a result, vendor bills are not getting paid, vendor bills are getting paid late and some vendors are putting the company on'' a cash-on-delivery status, Moskowitz said.

Bret Berlin's actions have caused disharmony among employees, Moskowitz said, adding that it seemed like only a matter of time before some would start looking for new jobs.

''If Arlene was not there on a daily basis, I suspect some of these people would have already left,'' Moskowitz said.

Bret should be ''reined in and controlled,'' he added.

The suit asks that a judge order Bret to share authority with Arlene, as called for in succession agreements signed by Jerome Berlin and Michael Pecora. But it also asks that Bret be dismissed from the business for violating those agreements.

Signature Grand and Signature Gardens play host to business conferences, charitable functions, bridal shows, weddings, bar mitzvahs and birthday parties. The Kendall facility was built in 1985. The Davie hall opened in 1996.