Lawsuits filed in Broward and Palm Beach counties challenging the results in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Congress CD 20 elections were notarized by the Dale Holness aide tied to a the controversial “Tamarac Post” website. Despite being the heavy favorite to replace the late Alcee Hastings in Congress, Dale Holness lost to political novice Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick by five measly votes. Instead of walking away with his tail between his legs, the Broward County Commissioner filed lawsuits in Broward and Palm Beach in the hopes a judge overturns the will of the voters.

In Broward, the lawsuit laughably claims Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick “bribed” voters with her proposal to pass legislation giving residents $1,000 a month. The lawsuit claims military ballots were unlawfully disqualified by the Democrat Supervisor of Elections and the Democrat canvassing board. The lawsuit was filed by attorneys Don James of Miami and Roshawn Banks of Fort Lauderdale.

In Palm Beach County, longtime Team Holness supporter Burnadette Norris Weeks is representing Dale Holness. The Palm Beach suit repeats the laughable “bribery” claim but there is no issue with military ballots. Instead, it repeats a claim from the Broward suit alleging Cherfilus-McCormick’s failure to submit financial disclosure documents disqualifies her victory. Legal experts tell REDBROWARD case law would appear to show the financial disclosure argument will fail.

TEAM HOLNESS RIDES AGAIN

Both lawsuits contain documents signed by Dale Holness. Both documents were notarized by Holness commission aide Anthony Bonamy. In April, Bonamy was fired from his position as deputy clerk for the City of North Lauderdale after REDBROWARD exposed his ties to the Tamarac Post website. REDBROWARD revealed Bonamy created “Tamarac Post Media LLC” in July 2020. Weeks later The Tamarac Post website was launched as “your source for local news, politics, entertainment, music, and fashion. We provide you with the latest breaking news and updates.” In reality, when the Tamarac Post isn’t posting news releases from the City of Tamarac public information department, it’s offering anonymous puff pieces about Dale Holness and Commissioner Marlon Bolton.

REDBROWARD asked Anthony Bonamy why his company was behind a website shilling for a Tamarac politicians. While Bonamy claimed he did not “run” the website, he did admit he owned the website domain. Bonamy claimed he did not know who posted articles on the website. He said his wife was set to take over posting duties in April.

In addition to the website, Anthony Bonamy has been involved in political action committees. State election records show Michael Garcia and Anthony Bonamy formed the Small Business Alliance PAC in January 2019. Bonamy was named as treasurer. On February 28, 2019, Bonamy’s wife made a $100 to this political committee. For the rest of 2019, the State attempted to get Bonamy to file the required documents showing money raised and spent. After receiving numerous “fail to file” letters, Michael Garcia finally responded to the Division of Elections. On December 30, 2019, Garcia told the State neither he nor Bonamy had the “time to properly maintain” the political committee. It is unclear if the committee raised or spent any funds before disbanding.

Michael Garcia, a longtime leader of the Hispanic Vote PAC, is a Fort Lauderdale attorney with the Austin Pamies Norris Weeks Powell firm. Burnadette Norris Weeks is founding member of the firm. Earlier this year, Garcia attempted to procure the City Of Tamarac attorney job.

Less than one month after being fired by the City of North Lauderdale, Dale Holness hired Anthony Bonamy. Bonamy was fired on April 13, 2021. According to Broward County Commission visitor logs, Dale Holness met with Anthony Bonamy on May 5th to “discuss office details.” Two days later, Holness and Bonamy met again. At the second meeting, Holness and Bonamy discussed “future items.” On May 14, 2021 Bonamy met with Holness chief of staff Heidi Richards. The log indicated Bonamy provided “documents” to Richards.

According to Florida notary public documents, Anthony Bonamy used North Lauderdale City Hall as his address.

TAMARAC

Two weeks ago, REDBROWARD exposed the Tamarac Post’s anti-Semitic attacks on Tamarac Mayor Michelle Gomez.

The November 7, 2021 story in the “Tamarac Post” claims “Tamarac Mayor Michelle Gomez Under Heat For Receiving PPP Money.” The story is the fifth Tamarac Post smear against Gomez since August 2021. All five stories were allegedly written by “Maria Colson.”

On August 31st, REDBROWARD revealed how Tamarac Post reporter Maria Colson was not a Tamarac resident.

According to her social media accounts, Maria Colson is a twentysomething woman living in Sidcup, England. According to her LinkedIn page, Colson works for TJ MAXX and a public policy firm. Both jobs are located in England, NOT Tamarac.

Colson’s Tamarac Post bio gives a vanity website, mariacolson.com, which appears to be a dead link. Links to her Facebook and Twitter accounts are also provided.

According to her Twitter account, Maria Colson is deeply interested in British animal rights causes and climate change initiatives. She makes no mention of Tamarac, or Broward, or Florida or even the U.S.A.

REDBROWARD attempted to contact Maria Colson via her Facebook page.

She never responded to questions about her reporting.

Also in August, REDBROWARD reported a link provided by the Tamarac Post revealed “MBOLTON” and not “Maria Colson,” authored recent stories attacking Michelle Gomez and other City of Tamarac politicians. Many Broward political insiders believe “MBOLTON” likely refers to Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton.

Since it first went online, the Tamarac Post repeatedly posted stories praising Marlon Bolton and his Commission co-hort Elberg Mike Gelin. In March 2021, REDBROWARD revealed Marlon Bolton’s deep ties to “The Tamarac Post” and his close ally Anthony Bonamy.

When REDBROWARD spoke to Bonamy in March, he said his wife, Violene Vil, would assume control of the day-to-day operations of the Tamarac Post. 

According to Federal elections records filed last month, Dale Holness’ failed congressional campaign paid $2,000 to One Millenial Media LLC, a Tamarac company owned by Violene Vil Bonamy. State corporation records show Tamarac Post Media LLC is owned by Anthony Bonamy and Violene Vil.

Both companies owned by the Bonamys used the same Tamarac address as their official place of business.

Michelle Gomez is the mayor of a city in U.S. Congressional District 20. She did not support Dale Holness in the CD 20 race.

MIRAMAR

Another city in U.S. Congressional District 20 is Miramar. On November 11th REDBROWARD reported on Burnadette Norris-Weeks’ role in the attempted removal of Miramar City Commissioner Winston Barnes.

Due to health issues, Winston Barnes spent most of the COVID-19 pandemic working from home. Barnes, a longtime City of Miramar commissioner, attended all required government meetings via a webcam hookup.

Not wanting to run afoul of the law, Winston Barnes relied upon a legal document prepared by Miramar City Attorney Burnadette Norris-Weeks. According to Barnes, a November 11, 2020 memorandum written by Norris-Weeks states city commissioners are not required to physically attend meetings. Barnes claimed he relied upon Norris-Weeks’ legal opinion when he attended Miramar Commission meetings remotely from May 2020 to September 2021.

Barnes states official meeting minutes from that time period show he as present and participated in the meetings.

But on October 25, 2021 Barnes claims Burnadette Norris-Weeks “suddenly and surprisingly completely reversed course and now opined that participation is not the same as attendance, and that Commissioner Barnes could be relieved of his office by a majority vote of the City Commission.”

Miramar Commissioner Maxwell Chambers, a staunch Dale Holness supporter, submitted a resolution calling for the removal of Commissioner Winston Barnes.

Unsurprisingly, Winston Barnes did not support Dale Holness’ campaign for U.S. Congress.

Chambers backed down at the November 15, 2021 commission meeting after Barnes allies filled the Commission chambers.

Also at the November 15th meeting, Winston Barnes called for the termination of City Attorney Burnadette Norris-Weeks. Barnes’ resolution included a letter from his attorney Keith Poliakoff of Government Law Group. In that letter, Poliakoff shredded Norris-Weeks’ legal arguments and her interpretation of the law and Florida Attorney General opinions.

Why are taxpayer funded government employees notarizing political lawsuits?

Why are Dale Holness allies targeting politicians who did not support his failed Congressional campaign?

Is Dale Holness is biggest sore loser in the history of Broward politics?

Is anyone going to say “enough is enough?”