Author Archives: Tom Lauder

About Tom Lauder

Covering South Florida Politics Since 2010...As Seen On: POLITICO, The Huffington Post, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel, The Miami Herald, WPLG LOCAL 10 (ABC MIAMI), The New Times

Pompano Beach Candidate Delvin King Removed From November Ballot

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Delvin King

Broward Judge Hunter Davis ruled candidate Delvin King violated the Pompano Beach charter by failing to live in District Five for a consecutive year. The ruling followed a seven hour hearing on Friday night. Davis called King’s different addresses on driver’s licenses and voter registrations “fatal.”

Judge Davis said King asked the court to believe statements he once swore to be true were now false.

Judge Davis ruled nearly all the evidence favored the plaintiff, current Commissioner Darlene Smith.

King will not appear on the November ballot.

Delvin King with his pal Commissioner Audrey Fesik
Delvin King no longer “slated” to appear on the November ballot with Commissioners Audrey Fesik, Beverly Perkins and Alison Fournier.

Francis Petrocelli Removed From November Ballot For Failing To Use Legal Name

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Francis J. Petrocelli

A Broward judge granted an emergency injunction Thursday morning which removes Plantation City Council candidate Francis J. Petrocelli from the November ballot. The case, brought by candidate H.Wayne Clark, alleged Petrocelli violated State law by failing to use his legal name on his qualifying paperwork. The emergency meeting was held due to ballots being printed next week.

Francis J. Petrocelli filed his qualifying paperwork earlier this year.When asked to provide his legal name, Petrocelli wrote “Rico Petrocelli.” State law allows nicknames under certain circumstances, but a candidate must sign an affidavit stating it is a nickname. Petrocelli did not fill out the affidavit. He even signed the paperwork as “Rico Petrocelli” with an accompanying smiley face.

Not legal signature of Francis J. Petrocelli

During a Thursday morning Zoom hearing, Petrocelli admitted to the judge that his legal name is not “Rico Petrocelli” and he improperly filled his candidate paperwork. Petrocelli admitted he made no attempt to cure his mistakes.

When asked why he did not bring the case earlier, Wayne Clark said a social media post by Petrocelli proved Rico is not his real name.

In an August Facebook post, Petrocelli offered back to school notary public services. Petrocelli included a photograph of his offical State of Florida notary public certificate. The name on the certificate is Francis J. Petrocelli.