North Lauderdale Commissioner Regina Martin received two Federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans using the address of Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton. These emergency pandemic loans were intended to help business owners pay workers during the COVID-19 lockdown. PPP loans were also available for self-employed business owners. State of Florida records show Regina Martin owns multiple corporations.

According to public databases, Regina Martin was awarded a $20,000 PPP loan on July 16, 2020. Martin’s loan was coded as “Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (Self-Employed Individuals).” Records show the funds were not disbursed.

State records do not show Regina Martin as a licensed insurance broker.

On February 18, 2021, Regina Martin was awarded a $20,000 PPP loan for her “Tax Preparation Services….Existing or more than 2 years old” business. This loan was disbursed to Martin.

For both loans, Regina Martin used apartment on Ann Lee Lane in Tamarac.

Campaign records and even a police report show this same address is the residence of Marlon Bolton.

Marlon Bolton’s official campaign treasurer’s reports from July 2020 and February 2021 list his address as the same Ann Lee Lane unit used by Regina Martin.

State records show Regina Martin owns several businesses located at Ann Lee Lane in Tamarac. These businesses include Regina Martin Enterprise LLC, House of Baby Doll LLC and Millennium Kingdom International Embassy.

CLOSE TIES

REDBROWARD reported on Regina Martin’s close ties to Marlon Bolton.

Happy Feet Advertising, LLC, a political consulting company tied Marlon Bolton, performed extensive campaign work for Regina Martin, records show. Campaign treasurer reports show Martin paid $14,750 to Happy Feet during the 2020 election cycle. In fact, Martin paid Happy Feet nearly $1,000 more than Bolton paid for similar campaign work.

REDBROWARD revealed Marlon Bolton’s ties to The Tamarac Post, a public relations site operated by North Lauderdale deputy clerk Anthony Bonamy. When Bonamy applied for the North Lauderdale late last year, he listed Marlon Bolton as a reference. After being sworn into office on November 19, 2020, Regina Martin’s first official act was making a motion to hire Anthony Bonamy. Her motion was seconded by North Lauderdale Commissioner Samson Boregelin. Marlon Bolton spoke at the meeting. He urged North Lauderdale leaders to hire Bonamy.

REDBROWARD obtained video recorded by Regina Martin on election night as her victory was announced by local media. One man is heard gasping for air as he declares “Oh my God” several times. The man was Marlon Bolton. Later in the video, Martin receives a congratulatory hug from Commissioner Boregelin.

As the excitement dies down, Bolton tells Martin he is going to the election party of Tamarac Commissioner Elvin Villalobos. Martin immediate asks Bolton about “Mayor Dale [Holness], are you going to Mayor Dale’s.”

Regina Martin joined the North Lauderdale City Commission on November 18, 2020. Why was she using Marlon Bolton’s address in February 2021?

Did Regina Martin live on Ann Lee Lane? Did she live with Marlon Bolton and his wife at that address?

Does Regina Martin sell insurance or perform tax preparation?

REDBROWARD asked Regina Martin for comment. The number listed for Martin on the City of North Lauderdale is the City Clerk’s telephone number. Ms. Martin has not responded to our email.