Another daughter of Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness received a COVID-19 pandemic relief loan, records show. Richelle Dahlia Holness of Wellington received a nearly $20,000 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan in May 2021. Earlier this week, Holness’ other daughter, Damara Holness was arrested for conspiracy to commit wire fraud to fraudulently obtain a $300,000 PPP loan.

Public records show Richelle Holness received a $19,920 loan as an independent contractor. The May 17, 2021 loan was paid by Prestamos CDFI, LLC, a division of an Arizona entity tied to the progressive political group La Raza. Records show the PPP loan paid to Richelle Holness was intended to save one job.

Following her arrest, Dale Holness attempted to distance himself from Damara Holness. He claimed he had been estranged from his daughter for years. Damara Holness used his real estate office address for her consulting business. Dale Holness claimed she never received permission to do so.

A published report naming Dale Holness the 2019 Person of the Year states Richelle Holness runs his real estate business. State real estate license records confirms Richelle Holness’ ties to All Broward Realty. Damara Holness’ real estate license also uses the All Broward Realty office address.

Did Richelle Holness permit Damara Holness to operate Holness Consulting Inc out of the All Broward Realty offices?

Like Damara Holness, Richelle Holness appears to be involved in local politics.

STRONGER TOGETHER?

In September 2020, REDBROWARD exposed Richelle Holness’s ties to a mysterious political committee. On July 20, 2020, Kayla Butler filed paperwork forming the Stronger Together Florida political with the Division of Elections in Tallahassee. According to the documents, the political committee is located at home on Barnstead Circle in Lake Worth, Florida. The telephone number for the committee is (754) 444-6117.

Campaign reports from the 2016 Broward election show Kayla Butler was a paid intern on the Dale Holness campaign even though she was living in Palm Beach. According to recent social media posts, Butler is a yoga instructor still living in Palm Beach county.

The telephone number for Stronger Together Florida is also found in State records regarding third party groups conducting voter registrations. The number is listed for “All Consulting And Marketing, Inc.” which conducted voter registration drives at 4325 W. Sunrise Blvd in Plantation since May, 2019.

This is the same address for All Broward Realty, Inc, a real estate company owned by Broward Mayor Dale Holness.

According to the State third party voter registration records and State corporate records, All Consulting And Marketing Inc. is owned by Richelle Holness. State corporate records indicate the corporation was dissolved in September 2019 after failing to file its required corporate report.

Broward election records list Richelle Holness as the treasurer for Broward Mayor Dale Holness’ 2020 campaign.

“I DON’T KNOW WHY YOU’RE CALLING ME”

REDBROWARD called Richelle Holness to ask about her involvement in voter registration drives and the Stronger Together Florida political committee.

After confirming she was Richelle Holness, she said, “You know you’re calling Richelle. I don’t know why you’re calling me.” After advising Holness that her telephone number was listed in the documents filed with the Florida Division of Elections, we asked what was the purpose of the PAC. Holness said, “You can look it up on FEC [Federal Elections Committee] or whatever.”

When asked if she knew Kayla Butler, Holness said, “Thank you for your time, goodbye” and hung up.

If she operates Dale Holness’ successful real estate business, why did Richelle Holness apply for a PPP loan?

Perhaps she was inspired by her father’s relentless promotion of the PPP program.

Did any other Holness family members or allies receive PPP loans?

Broward voters deserve answers.