Palm Beach Pops ex-staffer: Maestro Bob Lappin took me to sex clubs
Tags: Bob Lappin, Club Trapeze, Jill Kaplan, Jose Lambiet's Page2Live, maestro, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Pops, swingers, West Palm Beach
| Thursday 11 February 2010 11:57 am
Lappin
Bob Lappin, the founder, president and maestro of the popular Palm Beach Pops, is being sued in federal court by former Pops General Manager Jill Kaplan. She claims Lappin, her boss, forced her into a long-term affair that led them, at times, to swingers clubs.
Kaplan, who suffered from thyroid problems and breast cancer after she was hired in 2004, claims Lappin dangled the Pops’ health benefits and steady employment as an incentive for sex.
At one point, Kaplan explains in the filing, Lappin, 70, drove her to Club Trapeze in Fort Lauderdale. Trapeze is one of the area’s largest sex clubs. It features hot tubs and beds large enough for 15 to 20 people. When Kaplan refused to do the wild thing with strangers while Lappin watched, according to the paperwork, she ran out. Lappin drove her back to West Palm Beach, yelling at her that she “embarrassed” him.
Kaplan says the episode convinced her to quit her job. She walked in May.
Now, she wants $20 million in damages — something that could bankrupt the orchestra founded by Lappin in 1991. According to Pops documents obtained by Page2Live, the non-profit is insured up to $1 million for this sort of legal entanglement.
And the lawsuit provides a glimpse at the sleaze that may be behind the classy music, something that could do incalculable harm to the Pops’ reputation.
Read the complaint (pdf)
For more, look below or click
Kaplan
Another Pops employee, CFO Robert Aronson, resigned last week over the fact that Lappin failed to tell the board that Kaplan filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission more than six months ago. Such a filing is usually a prelude to a full-fledged lawsuit but gives the parties a chance to settle before court action.
Even though Lappin secretly hired an attorney to deal with Kaplan’s EEOC complaint, and paid him more than $59,000 from the Pops accounts, nothing was resolved, according to Aronson’s letter.
Aronson further alleged that Lappin prevented him from calling an emergency meeting of the board of directors to discuss Kaplan’s complaint.
Palm Beach philanthropist and radio personality Dick Robinson, who’s on the board, said Aronson’s letter hit the group “right through the middle of the forehead.”
“We had no idea,” Robinson said. “In that place (the Pops’ office on Australian in West Palm Beach), it seems that everyone’s always whistling along. There’ll be a board meeting next week and we’ll discuss this.”
Kaplan declined comment and referred me to her lawyer, Craig Zobel. The maestro, who is single but has a steady girlfriend, didn’t return calls.
Zobel said Lappin preyed on the 48-year-old Kaplan’s desperation for his own sexual gratification.
“He abused his relationship as an employer,” Zobel said. “This was a forced sexual relationship. She was afraid to lose her livelihood and benefits. She was scared.”
The Pops is in the middle of its season and is playing with Vegas entertainer Clint Holmes this week in various area auditoriums. Tonight the orchestra and Holmes play FAU in Boca Raton. The budget of the organization, according to federal filings, is about $4 million a year. The Pops reported about $7 million in assets last year. In addition to ticket sales and fund-raiser, the Pops also receives about $100,000 a year from Palm Beach County.
Locate Lappin on our map of celebrities here.
Must I really take the time to write all this down and finally write my tell-all about life among the little consumptuous piglets in Palm Beach? And; there are inclusions among those you would not expect. Let’s just say the two main churches on the island have enough confessions to make a major motion picture. CHEERS!
Perhaps Lambiet will want to finish the last sentence in the seventh paragraph. What did Aronson further allege? How hard is it for The Post to find people who can write a complete story?
Now the sentence has been fixed — thanks.
You should probably also fix the word “enought” in the third paragraph.
Sounds like a typical money grab from a person in desperate need of cash. It is the easiest thing in the world to accuse someone of inappropriate behavior and then slam them with a lawsuit. There are plenty of scum bag attorneys out there willing to take on a case that has a (relatively) high profile accused or accuser. The whole thing stinks of an extortion attempt.
seems like he was a Pop that cucci Maestro
Ms. Kaplan’s desperate attempt to keep her health insurance is another example of why Obama’s health care bill should be passed, in spite of the opposition of the Party of No.
Guy looks creepy enough to do it. His kid used to work there too so maybe widen the probe (remember Willie Gary likes to “party” with his son too!).
The guy wouldn’t have hired a lawyer on the sly if he wasn’t guilty!
Isn’t Zobel the same lawyer who filed the class action against Pratt & Whitney alleging their faults in the cancer cluster issue? Sheesh. This guy’s looking to make a fortune!
Bob may be the Tiger Woods of the music world. Sounds like he was Lappin it up!
Lappin is authorized to hire a personal attorney without anyone else signing off on it? I’ll be happy to get no resolution for him and I’ll only charge $20,000.
This situation was a matter of discussion at two Palm Beach Gardens
City Counsel meetings, regarding long time
City Manager Ron Ferris. He too is said to be presently having an affair with a subordinate , and was asked to divulge the city employee. Infact the only Counsel woman at the City , who is an attorney felt it was very dangerous for exactly the facts
stated in this article.
Is the Palm Beach Gardens City Employee also being manipulted with pay increases or if she decides to break off the office romance will she be FIRED?
And later SUE THE CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS?
at the City.
thats one ugly @#$#$
Never crap where you work, it always leads to disaster.
…..but she might have had a great time at Club Trapeze had she given it a chance. It’s all her fault if she isn’t even willing to try anything new.
did she really think they were going to a swingers club so Lappin could conduct their house band
Goes to show you, people with money think they can do anything with you, when you object, they get rid of you, I learned that from personal experience, don`t give in Kaplan, take this all the way, good luck.
Okay, so when is Lappin going to resign? Or how long until he gets canned? You think they can still get donations and sell tickets with his alleged reputation?
That’s a dude. I’d do a berry check first.
I think it’s important to note that this is the same attorney that is suing Pratt & Whitney over the Acreage cancer cluster. Seems like a shark to me.
So, how did Bob know about this dame’s health problems? Did he coerce it out of her?
Maestro, Careful where you wiggle your Baton!!!
This woman should be happy she got any play at all.
“I think it’s important to note that this is the same attorney that is suing Pratt & Whitney over the Acreage cancer cluster. Seems like a shark to me.”
…and thank goodnes for lawyers like him. Trial lawyers have been villainized and attacked in a very methodical and pre-planned manner. These efforts have usually been orchestrated by insurance companies and large manufacturers who are held accountable by trial lawyers when they or their inureds have caused harm to blameless individuals.
The truth of the matter is that trial lawyers help people. Trial lawyers help society. Trial lawyers are good, compassionate people who care about the rights and well-being of their clients and of society as a whole. Our civil justice system was designed to allow EVERYONE, big or small, the opportunity to have disagreements resolved in an orderly and fair manner. Trial lawyers are the champions of that system. They protect the rights of everyone.
If not for trial lawyers most individuals would not stand a chance against large corporate giants, insurance companies and greedy manufacturers of dangerous products. Trial and consumer lawyers enforce the rights of individuals who may have been wronged by another person or business entity. They also help our society stay safer. If not for their efforts asbestos would still be in our schools, Ford Pintos would still be on the road, Phen Fen would still be on Pharmacy shelves.
In short, the litigation brought by trial lawyers on behalf of their clients forces changes for the better, and the threat of litigation creates a chilling effect that prompts more safety consideration and creates more fairness between company and consumer.
Some lawyers charge hundreds of dollars per hour for their services. Unlike other lawyers, trial lawyers and consumer lawyers typically work for their clients under a contingent fee arrangement. That means that they are not paid unless they obtain a money recovery on behalf of their client. If they do obtain a money recovery their fee is paid as a percentage of the amount recovered. This arrangement allows anyone, rich or poor, to be able to hire a lawyer when they have been wronged and harmed by someone else.
Be proud to live in a country where, under the law, you are equal to the largest of corporate giants. Be proud to live in a country that has a civil justice system that allows individuals proper compensation when they have been wronged by someone else. Be proud to live in country where there are still trial lawyers and consumer lawyers willing to fight for the little guy, willing to work with no guarantee that they will be compensated unless they win for you.
This is an extortion story like all the others, much ado about a GOLD DIGGING OPPORTUNIST and a CELEBRITY who’s body parts just have a mind of their own.
Threee sides to every story, HIS, HERS and the TRUTH.
20 Million??, now that’s a SCREWING and a half!!!
Please people, get real.
I worked for a very brief time several years ago as Mr. Lappin’s assistant. He was as cheap as the day is long - I would have to call varus residential service people for repairs around his home and he NEVER wanted to pay the bills!!! My co-workers at the Pops all seemed to be kind of “desparate”, for lack of a better word, and he REALLY took advantage of them for that. It was not a nice place to work and he was not a very nice man. I left when I found something better. This doesn’t surprise me at all…
Proud American is right, of course. And his comment is better written than most. But how did he beat the 500 character max? Break ups are ugly, but if you aren’t married they don’t have to be expensive. Unless of course you break up with your employee. Then the discomfort that comes with seeing or being around an ex-lover starts to look and feel like harassment to the disappointed underling and a lawsuit follows every time.
I’ve seen him in the nail salon several times. He really likes to get his hands massaged. He’s creepy.
Buuurrrp; Dick Robinson will get to the bottom of this as soon as he gets to the bottom of his bottle.
WHO CARES…INFINITY !!!!!!
Quite some time ago I, too, worked for Bob Lappin. Oh, the stories I could tell. This man is cheap and nasty, not to mention dishonest to the core. How dare he use POPS money to pay for an attorney? But what can you expect of an ogre who uses the donations of trusting patrons to buy his meals, his clothes, his private plane flights, and this when he is a millionaire in his own right at least 300 times over. That’s right, B.L. owns at least $300,000,000 and uses POPS money to fund his extravagant lifestyle. We used to get checks from little old ladies for $15 dollars. They probably had to give up something they needed or would have enjoyed to contribute to what they thought was a worthy cause. If they only knew what he does with their money. That the Board of Directors can pretend that they didn’t know what B.L. has been up to is a case study in self-deception. B.L. is a sad, sad, sad excuse for a human being who deserves to be pitied, not celebrated. He has A LOT to atone for.
Talk to his past staff…they will tell you the true…he lies to his board…he lies to his staff…he uses legal retained lawers to scare his staff…he takes money form the “not for profit” to pay for his personnel life needs…the books are have always been fixed …He lies to his donors…he his no Mastro…that is why the nine orchestra’s he conducted
for never want him back…even his agents walk away from him…ask his long time lover Gloria Briggs why she has been waiting so long (15 plus years)ask Mr. Passy for the true …he can get for you!!! This man should go to jail for his stealing…I work for him several years
it is well known in palm beach that lappin is a sadist, abuser of women, and a SOB. PB POPs should call for his resignation. More women will come forward, Kaplan is not alone. He has abused his family for many years most of them don’t speak to him.
Jumping to Lappin’s defense, here are several very plausible legal responses to the lawsuit.
A Swinger’s Club - I thought I was going to see Count Basie’s Band.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - I treated everyone equally and always asked all the women to go with us.
Club Trapeze - I thought we were going to see Cirque de Solei
Trapeze is Ft. Lauderdales most popular club - I went for the great buffet - did not pay attention to the other dinner patrons
Features Hot Tubs and Beds for 15 people - I wanted to see what it was like to have more than 12 people in the audience.
Now I am wondering if I should have gone to the company picnics…..
Proud American poster is obviously an out of work attny. Too much time on his hands…yikes… get a job and stop the barrister vomit. Ambulance chasers are contingency lawyers.
Pop goes the POPS. It’s over.
Wasn’t he concerned about his reputation going to these sex clubs? That is so weird.
Her story is easy to believe, especiallly in light of the people who used to work for him posting here with there stories. It sounds like he pressured her with threats of job loss and insurance loss, she gave in, had sex, he pressured her to go to swingers club, her figuring maybe she would only have sex with him there or just watch, he being a sicko treated her like property there ordering her to have sex with strangers, she refused and could not stand it any longer, even at potential loss of life if cancer returned. Very believable, he sounds like a pig.
The marstro says there are absolutely no houses to rent in Tuscany. (seinfeld reference)
whoops, maestro, not marstro
Looks like an exaggerated story to get some $$$ out of Bob Lappin. He has always treated his musicians well,
I have been to many of their concerts, know musicians who work for him personally and met him personally . He is humble and very respectful to his employees and is VERY good to them making sure they are given free meals during rehearsals and concerts and that they get paid well. I have also met Jill Kaplan. This is a love gone wrong lawsuit where someone saw it as an easy way to make millions. I am very sorry that Kaplan has her medical problems but medical coverage is no excuse to sleep with someone for benefits and then file a lawsuit later when it does not go the way you want it to. People will only give you the respect you give yourself, Jill Kaplan. I wish Bob Lappin and the Palm Beach Pops much success . I also wish the Palm Beach Pops a LONG LIFE. I can`t even believe this lawsuit !
It is a very sad and unfortunate case of a habitual abuser and control freak who would not even let his prior wife see her own daughters from a previous marriage. Mr. Lambiet did a great service for providing greater insight into the Maestro’s character, which will hopefully lead to choosing more suitable cultural representatives of our community.
p
Comment by Parker
You don’t to many musicians at all …He does not pay union scale for playing…or pension..he never has the same concertmaster for more than one season.Free meals because the rehersals go into overtime which lappin does not pay…it is CHEAPER to feed the orchesta. He talks so much on stage because he will not learn new music for the shows.Piano he is not, all the musicians know he only plays in the Key of C…and he can not read conductor scores.Let us play “Old Man River” again or “I Be Seeing You” again…there better piano players at the school of the arts and thatis a fact.
seems like he just likes to conduct both on and off the stage
Bob Lappin is one of the most charitable individuals in the Palm Beaches. Where else will you find a man giving enough to share a bed with up to 15 total strangers
I knew this day would come.. YAY!!! I use to work for Bob Lappin as his assisant then went on to working on the children’s program for the orchestra. Yes… BOB and JILL fired me for NO REASON AT ALL!!! Even made me pay them back all of the unemployment I had received. So Bob, I guess since you didn’t want to pay my unemployment of only 3K, NOW you need to cough up 20 MILION. LOL.. I guess it’s true “what goes around does come right back around and bites you”… Jill don’t act like the victim we all knew what you and Bob were doing all along and you were loving every minute of it.
Time to celebrate
My G-d , everyone is jumping to concussions. Suddenly you all have inside info. There is another side to this story,
You remember, his side, her side and the truth!
20 million? She sound money hungry to me.
Yes former employees have the inside info. and it’s disgusting!!!
Who cares? Are you people morons? Follow what is happeing with the Euor- the crisis- you fools, that is more imporatant than this stupid story
Who really cares? You perverts like this stuff, dont you?!
JEF, are you sure he is like that? I have never worked for him. I have always heard that he treated the musicians really well.
As a former resident of PB I am not surprised. A no. of these types have a sense of entitlement and are quite abusive to females, household staff and of course their wives. It seems several former employees have weighed in perhaps there may be a class action suit?
Give the guy a break! At his age he was just too tired to perform and wanted to see a show.
everything JEF has said is true. sorry, Parker.
Alright this feels like a Pops reunion!! What’s up Mabel, this is wild!! You are SO RIGHT, what happened with you and the POPS is outrageous, however that being said, Miss Kaplan you are no angel! You came into the POPS with your guns blazin and legs wide open. I was employed with the POPS for almost 5 years and Bob Lappin is still a friend and was good to all of us, the only problem was Jill. You don’t have a chance in HELL TO RUIN THIS AMAZING ORCHESTRA. I will see to that.
P.S. IS THE BOARD ASLEEP STILL? My love and my prayers go out to Bob and the orchestra, Jill, no one ever had to force you into sex, we both know you always went willingly. Love Moe in NJ thinging of you.
She is one ugly bitch! She would be lucky to have anybody fuck her. Just kidding. Maybe..
My prayers are with the Pops . I would like to see them performing always .Great musicians . A real pity about the lawsuit.
My prayers are with the Pops . I would like to see them performing always .Great orchestra musicians . A real pity about the lawsuit .
It appears Mr. Lappin does not even have the decency to at least publicly apologize to donors, fans, board members, the band, the city of Palm Beach, a fiance, and whatever family members still speak to him for the embarrasment he caused.
No more donations from us.
I think Bob Lappin is a great pianist, he plays from his heart . I have always admired his performances.
What?!
My take is that a man who does not prefer to cavort with a girl friend but is stimulated by being in close proximity of numerous naked men cavorting with her is indicative of latent homosexuality.
Anyone can file a lawsuit - does not mean it is true. A friend in the orchestra told me that she was one of the most hateful people. Bob Lappin will win thi one for sure. The girl is a drunk and a drug addict. Her allegations will be proven wrong.
I do not believe a word of this. I have met him, and cannot believe that he would ever throw a glass at a woman nor abuse his family. I have met his only 2 children and they are a loving family.
You people should stop believing comments from employees who think they deserve more pay. It is all about money.
Jill , how could you have the heart to fool around with Bob knowing that he had a girlfriend , knowing that you would hurt the feelings of his longtime girlfriend ???
Do you have a conscience or did you get blinded by the $$$$$ ???
This money hungry woman `s actions is going to put a whole bunch of really good musicians out of a job and they had nothing to do with this. Whatever happened between Kaplan and Lappin , this case is not worth a whole orchestra going down and definitely not worth 20 million!!! Did the lawyer convince you, Kaplan, that it is easier to sue Lappin than to play the Florida Lotto ? All I have always heard is that Kaplan was willingly ‘doing’ Bob.
Hey Maureen… this does feel like a Pops reunion!!! I hope you’re doing well.. I’m on facebook.. look me up!
I’m very happy we’re no longer working for the Pops.. there was so much negativity towards the ends. The air was so heavy in that office.
Attention Palm Beach Joe: Mr. Lappin is the biological father of four children, not two. Perhaps there are more?
Is Jill Kaplan guilty herself of ’sexual harassment’?
I’ve been the timpanist/percussionist with the Palm Beach Pops since the 1st Season: 18 years now. Bob Lapin & Jill Kaplan were both my employers and are friends of mine. I haven’t spoken to Jill since she ‘parted ways’ with the Pops, but I imagine that when she thinks of me it is as a friend. I, like all the musicians in the orchestra, are very upset that Jill would try to harm Bob Lappin, the Pops, and the Pops audience like she is attempting to do. Now let me relate a unique story for the public’s and lawyer’s evaluation.
Jill and I have flirted since she first came on board as an assistant at the Pops. I had no girlfriend at that time. This kinda continued after she became Director and after I began seeing someone very special whom Jill has met several times. About two years ago, there was a concert series where I played very little in the 2nd Half. As I was sneaking off stage at FAU to take a break, I was met by Sarah the Pops staffer and told, “Jill wants you to give her a back rub!” “Uh, what?” I replied as we walked towards the dressing rooms and Green Room. “Jill has a really sore back, she’s taken a couple pain pills, but she asked me to get you to give her a back rub”. I’ve never given Jill a back rub before, I don’t like giving back rubs and I found this request to be very awkward!
Sarah and I were now at the dressing room door and Jill was lying on a small couch face down and apparently in some pain. “Brad, could you give me a back rub, Sarah’s hands aren’t strong enough”. I didn’t want to be put into this situation for a number of reasons, however, Jill did seem to really be in pain and I wanted to help. I consented to rub her back and neck for a few minutes and then said, “Oh, I’ve got to go back on stage”. I remember saying that even though the orchestra still had a couple numbers before I was to play the last song with them.
I had forgotten about this little awkward episode until this outrageous lawsuit surfaced and I pondered what I might contribute. Jill, consider this, if I was fired right after that episode, would I have grounds to file sexual harassment charges against you?!
- Brad Watson, Miami, FL - Timpanist/Percussionist w/ Palm Beach Pops
In reading the comments above, it seems that the larger story here is whether the after-hours behavior of a local celebrity is relevant to his ability to successfully lead an important community institution such as the Pops. Clearly, we all have our suspicions as to what actually happened between the two parties. As outsiders, however, we cannot possibly know the truth behind what happened between Mr. Lappin and Ms. Kaplan. As a not-for-profit institution, the Pops has a responsibility to provide entertainment and youth outreach to Palm Beach County in a dignified manner. If Mr. Lappin is indeed frequenting establishments such as Club Trapeze, shamelessly and publicly disloyal to his wife and/or partner (whatever gender he/she may be), and flagrantly abusing his power by threatening employees, it seems that the Palm Beach Pops Board needs to make a swift decision to change leadership in order to protect their institution’s status. Additionally, it seems incredibly undignified for orchestra members and office staff to involve themselves in such a pathetic (albeit enticing) drama.
How about using “The Sexual Harassement Panda” from South Park for the school programs?
As long as the Panda performs in the key of C, I am sure the Board would approve.
The reason Bob did not pay Ms. Kaplan a great severance package was probably because he told her that it was unethical for the Pops to do so. Then he told her, heck, I shouldn’t even be banging you…
I did alot of Interior Design work and Architectural consultation for and with Bob Lappin in Palm Beach, Connecticut, and Lake Winnepausauki in New Hampshire.I
always found him to be a Gentleman and easy to work with,and also very creative.I never had a problem with him.
‘Classy music’ as the article stated? What in the world is this supposed to infer? Is this the same as hearing one of several world class symphony orchestras you would find in Berlin, London, Munich or Moscow? Or a chamber orchestra from Austria or Italy? Or in the USA one of the orchestras of, say for instance, NY, Chicago, Los Angeles, etc? It is nothing more than a ‘pops’ orchestra….. taken for a cultural entity in a place devoid of the real thing. But hey, it’s Florida, so this is as good as it gets!