LoBaido’s Floral Fight Turns Legal as DA McMahon Protects His and His Wife’s Pension Pipelines
By Richard Luthmann
When is planting flowers a crime? When it threatens the cash cow feeding Staten Island’s most powerful couple.
Scott LoBaido, Staten Island’s firebrand artist and activist, wasn’t vandalizing or rioting. His crime? Sticking fake flowers on NYC’s notorious speed cameras—a move that had District Attorney Michael McMahon launching a full-scale, subpoena-powered investigation.
But many wonder if McMahon’s Staten Island speed camera crusade wasn’t about justice at all—was it about protecting the pension gravy train for him and his Supreme Court judge wife, Judith McMahon?
LoBaido’s Crime: Beautifying Staten Island
LoBaido, 59, confessed with no regret: “I’m the Beautification Squad.”
His floral protests targeted speed cameras at Richmond Avenue and Oakdale Street and Van Duzer Street and Maxie Court. His aim? To call out what many Staten Islanders see as blatant revenue traps, draining hard-earned dollars under the guise of “safety.”
“I had to admit that I was putting up these flowers as a beautification public arts statement—what I am famous for—because these ugly things on these poles were apparently cameras and I was putting these flowers up to beautify the community,” LoBaido told reporters.
In a fiery statement outside the courthouse, LoBaido declared, “This isn’t just about flowers—it’s about fighting for Staten Islanders who are getting robbed by a greedy system. They want to call this a crime? The real crime is the money being sucked out of hardworking families’ pockets.”
The DA charged him with second-degree obstructing governmental administration and third-degree criminal tampering—both misdemeanors. A flower protest turned into a courtroom circus.
McMahon’s Motive: Protect the Paycheck?
Why would DA McMahon go nuclear over plastic flowers? Maybe because his and his wife’s financial fortunes rely on keeping Staten Island’s speed trap running full throttle.
McMahon, despite “retiring,” pulls in a sweet pension worth over $130,000 on top of his $200K-plus DA salary.
His wife, Judge Judith McMahon, isn’t far behind, collecting both a six-figure pension and a $210,900 salary.
Combined, the power couple rakes in over $600,000 annually from taxpayer-funded salaries and pensions.
Their personal financial stake raises serious questions about McMahon’s true motivation for going after LoBaido so aggressively.
Follow the Money: Staten Island Speed Camera’ Cash Grab
In 2016, NYC collected nearly $1 billion from fines, with speed cameras alone hauling in $96 million. These cameras aren’t about safety—they’re about squeezing every last dollar from drivers.
Staten Island, known for having more than its fair share of these machines, seems to be McMahon’s personal gold mine.
Radio Host Frank Morano didn’t hold back in his support of LoBaido, standing outside Tottenville’s NYPD 123 Precinct in freezing cold to back his friend.
“These cameras aren’t about stopping speeding—they’re about revenue collection,” Morano said. “If they cared about safety, they’d allow speed bumps. But they don’t because speed bumps don’t make money.”
Equal Time
Morano is one of three candidates set to compete in a non-partisan special election on April 29, 2025, for Staten Island’s South Shore City Council seat, vacated by Joseph Borelli. He will appear on the “SI Patriotism” line.
In the interests of equal time, we’ll discuss the other two.
Griffin Fossella, son of Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, is running on the “We the People” line.
Clifford Hagen, a retired special education teacher, is on the “Common Ground” line.
The winner will serve through the end of 2025 and must run again in the June primary and November general elections to retain the seat.
Fossella plans to run as a Republican in the general election. Hagen is a Democrat.
Some locals don’t know much about the race. One Island resident actually had radio, television, and elections all crossed up.
“I heard Vito’s kid is running against a guy on the radio and another guy named Cliff Clavin,” said Lou from Huegenot.
When asked if “Candidate Clavin” was a retired bartender or postal employee, Lou knew more.
“Yeah, he’s one of those two. But Vito’s kid is gonna win. His last name is Fossella,” he said.
But Lou did extol the virtues of having a well-known last name.
“The Fossellas will get the people out for him. But the ones who show up will still vote for him. Most will think they are voting for the dad. Some might even think they are voting for his Uncle Frank.”
Frank Fossella died in 2014. But Lou is not wrong about Staten Island. He also had a solution for the Staten Island speed camera controversy.
“Fill a couple of rubbers with paint and get them up there. Problem solved.”
LoBaido’s Fight for Staten Islanders
Neither is Scott LoBaido.
He has never been one to shy away from controversial activism.
From painting live at a Trump rally in Madison Square Garden, to hanging “Trump Crossing” signs across Manhattan, to protesting NYC’s war on coal-fired pizza ovens, LoBaido wears his patriotism—and defiance—on his sleeve.
But his speed camera protest struck a nerve.
In his interview with John Tobacco, LoBaido didn’t mince words about government overreach.
“These cameras have nothing to do with safety. It’s about money. That’s all it’s ever been,” he said.
He took responsibility for every bouquet, proudly admitting his role in covering the “ugly boxes” littering Staten Island’s streets.
“I put those flowers up with pride,” LoBaido said. “Every bouquet was a message to this greedy government: We’re done being bled dry.”
The Real Crime: Government Greed
McMahon’s hypocrisy reeks. The DA claims to “loathe” speed cameras—yet pursued LoBaido with full legal force. Why? Could it be because every ticket issued by those cameras helps fund the pensions lining his and his wife’s pockets?
In defending his actions, Democrat DA McMahon stated, “While protests are a fundamental right, no one has the authority to obstruct government operations. Blocking traffic enforcement mechanisms undermines public safety and the rule of law.”
The Rule of Law?
Try again, Jack.
“Like most Staten Islanders, I loathe the omnipresence of speed cameras, of which we seem to have way more than our fair share of compared to the other boroughs,” McMahon said.
Loathe? McMahon doesn’t even drive himself. For years, he has had officers chauffeur him around in government vehicles that don’t get ticketed.
The third time’s the charm, Jack?
“Placing flowerpots in a manner that blocks traffic cameras … prevents the enforcement of traffic safety laws,” McMahon said.
Staten Islanders weren’t buying it.
“Public safety? If McMahon cared about safety, he’d be out there fighting for speed bumps instead of defending a broken system that fattens his wallet. What an asshole,” said an Annadale resident who did not want to be mentioned.
A Call to Action: Staten Island Speed Cameras
LoBaido’s fight isn’t just about flowers—it’s about freedom from a system rigged against everyday people.
His town hall plans aim to rally Staten Islanders against this cash-grabbing scam.
New Jersey fought and won the battle against speed cameras. Why can’t Staten Island? The cameras aren’t about safety. They’re about filling city coffers—and feeding the McMahons’ fat pensions.
As LoBaido’s battle grows, one thing’s clear: this fight isn’t over. And Staten Islanders are ready to take back their streets—one bouquet at a time.
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