EMERGE PAC founder Khurrum Wahid was troubled by Charlie Crist’s silence on the last day of Ramadan, a holy month in the Islamic faith. RED BROWARD obtained emails between Wahid and David A. Geller, a Hollywood, Florida lawyer on “#TEAMCHARLIE.” On July 28, 2014 at 12:43PM, Wahid emailed Geller, “Can you have an EID Greeting sent out today from crist.” Eid-al-fitr is the feast celebrating the last day of Ramdan.

At 1:59PM, David A. Geller replied, “I am looking into it.” Six minutes later, with a hint of sarcasm, Wahid responded Crist owed the Muslim community. Wahid wrote, “I am surprised it did not happen. Disconcerting we are asked to raise funds and the most monumental month and holiday of the Muslim calendar is ignored. I suspect this would not happen with other communities.”

Four minutes later Geller replies, “I will make sure to pass this along as well. I was told that it was already in the works–which I am assuming means they do know about it and are/have been working on it. Can I call you later today to discuss? I want to make sure the campaign really understands this.” At 2:14Pm Wahid writes, “Sure happy to talk anytime. But simple really rather just ask it get sent out.”

Nine minutes later, at 2:23pm, the official Charlie Crist Twitter account complied with Wahid’s demand for a statement. The campaign tweeted, “Eid mubarak and God bless to all those celebrating the end of Ramadan today!” Wahid and several other EMERGE officials retweeted the Crist statement.

Three days later, Wahid repaid Crist for his prompt action. He hosted a breakfast reception for Crist at the Law Offices of Barzee Flores in Miami. The suggested contribution was $250 per person.

EMERGE PAC DEEP TIES TO DEMOCRATS

According to its website, EMERGE USA is a “non-partisan, Florida based the political action committee that endorses and  raises money for state and federal candidates based on their support for civil rights, minority rights and a diverse America where underrepresented communities are seen as a part of the social fabric of our nation.”  On its Facebook page, EMERGE PAC claims it “works with candidates that support issues that are of importance to underrepresented communities, with a specific focus on Muslim, Arab, and South Asian Americans throughout the United States.” But RED BROWARD has undecovered EMERGE PAC’s ties to the highest levels of the Democrat party.

Farooq Mitha, another EMERGE official, works with David A. Geller. The Geller Law firm websiteincludes Mitha’s political biography:

Farooq has consulted for several political campaigns and candidates running for political office at the local, state, and federal levels. Most recently he served on the National Finance Committee of President Barack Obama’s Presidential campaign and currently works with campaigns on issues, strategy, and fundraising.

After completing his Fulbright Fellowship funded by the U.S. Department of State in Amman, Jordan in 2009, Farooq participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program, also sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, where he co-led a discussion on election reform in Lebanon.

Another EMERGE PAC leader, Imran Siddiqui recently accepted a job with the Democratic National Committee. Siddiqui will be in charge of voter expansion efforts in south Florida.

BROWARD ENDORSEMENTS

On Sunday, RED BROWARD reported EMERGE PAC issued endorsements in several key Broward races.

On its “2014 Broward County Voter Card,” EMERGE endorsed Charlie Crist, Broward Mayor Barbara Sharief, Judge Steven B. Feren, and School Board candidate Nick Sakhnovsky. EMERGE endorsed judicial candidates Andrea Ruth Gundersen, Julie Shapiro Harris and Jonathan Kasen. Several candidates told RED BROWARD they were unaware of the group and never asked for their endorsement.

Broward Mayor Barbara Sharief must be familiar with EMERGE. In 2009, EMERGE gave her $250 for her first County Commission campaign. Last month, EMERGE gave Sharief  a $750 contribution.

In 2008, EMERGE gave $250 to Judge Steven B. Feren, the former Mayor of Sunrise. Last week, RED BROWARD exposed Feren’s enormous Indonesian Muslim following on Twitter. Feren claimed to be the victim of illegal hacking.

In 2012, EMERGE teamed up with other controversial Muslim groups to promote early voting in Broward county. RED BROWARD obtained a flier from United Voices, CAIR and EMERGE urging people to take part in “FLORIDA MUSLIM EARLY VOTE DAY.”

Michael Moskowitz, a Democrat attorney and lobbyist, has been a long-time supporter of Broward County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs. Recently, Moskowitz has made headlines by representing Florida House District 96 write-in candidate Ronald Bray. Moskowitz convinced a Leon County Circuit Judge that Bray should not be removed from the race even though he admits he violated Florida election law. The law requires a write-in candidate to live in the district at the time of qualifying. Bray admits he does not live in district 96. If Bray had been removed, non-Democrats would have been allowed to vote in the August 26th Democratic primary. The two candidates in the primary are Steve Perman and Kristin Jacobs.

In June, RED BROWARD revealed Bray was Kristin Jacobs’ “campaign aide extraordinaire” during her ill-fated 2012 Congressional campaign. Under “work and education” on his Facebook profile, Bray lists “campaign field organizer, May 2012 to Jul 2012.” Federal financial reports show Bray was a paid member of Kristin Jacobs’ 2012  U.S. Congressional campaign. Jacobs paid Bray $506.10 on June 29, 2012.  Bray posted several pictures on Facebook of himself canvassing for voters with Jacobs. One of his Facebook friends called him Jacobs’ “campaign aide extraordinaire.” Bray even asked Facebook friends to help make phone calls. He said, “i will buy the pizza and sodas.”

Political insiders believe Jacobs benefits from a closed primary. She has been a staunch supporter of extreme environmental ideas and other liberal issues. Jacobs spearheaded the County Commission’s efforts to defy State officials by allowing Obamacare navigators into State-owned facilities. In a open primary, Republican and Independent voters may punish Jacobs for her extreme liberal views.

WRITE-IN CANDIDATE WITH ZERO NET WORTH HIRES HIGH-PRICED LAWYER

In official campaign records, Bray lists his net worth as zero. He is currently a graduate student at the University of Miami. So how can Bray afford a high-priced attorney like Michael Moskowitz?

The Sun-Sentinel tried to ask Moskowitz this very question.”Moskowitz said he can’t reveal who’s paying him, but he isn’t doing the job as a favor to Jacobs or at her request.” He claims Democrats asked him to get involved to stop Republicans. “I was requested by a bunch of leading Democrats in this county and in this state to get involved in the matter,” he said. “People may want to assume this was Kristin-engineered. I can tell you that’s not what led to my involvement.”

Moskowitz lobbies for several clients before the Jacobs and the Broward County Commission. He represents Sheltair, Metropica and the entities behind the Florida Panthers hockey club. But Moskowitz said “one thing has nothing to do with the other.”

JACOBS RECEIVES BIG BUCKS FROM FLORIDA PANTHERS

Last April, an investigation showed Kristin Jacobs often accepts money from special interests tied to the Florida Panthers. Since 2012, Jacobs has received at least $38,000 from Florida Panthers officials and lobbyists. Since September of 2013, Florida Panthers officials, subsidiaries, and lobbyists have contributed $6,000 to Jacobs’ House race.  In March, another investigation detailed how Jacobs received campaign contributions from an individual who attempted to hide his connection to the Florida Panthers.

On June 30, 2012, Jacobs received a $250 contribution from Joseph Ferrio, a financial advisor living at 1219 Tequesta Street in Fort Lauderdale. One day earlier, Jacobs received a $1,000 contribution from Matthew Sacco, the Florida Panthers Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs. Broward County property records show Sacco owns the home at 1219 Tequesta Street that Ferrio and Sacco both list as their address. Between June of 2009 and November of 2010, Ferrio held a corporate marketing and sales position with the Florida Panthers. Nevertheless, Ferrio and Sacco have attempted to keep Ferrio’s connection to the Florida Panthers a secret.

In February, Media Trackers Florida revealed both men were playing similar games with contributions to Commissioner Chip LaMarca. Media Trackers Florida reported that associates of Matthew Sacco, including Ferrio, made four $1,000 contributions to the re-election campaign of Broward County Commissioner Chip LaMarca. Sacco denied knowing the donors, but Media Trackers Florida discovered Sacco appears to know Ferrio and the donors quite well. Media Trackers Florida obtained documents showing Sacco and Joseph Ferrio were teammates on the “Goats” team in the Florida Panthers Adult Hockey League.

(Moskowitz represents the bank suing Commissioner Chip LaMarca in his foreclosure case.)

While Jacobs supports the $80 million taxpayer bailout for the Florida Panthers, she denied the contributions played any role.

“When someone gives to the campaign of Kristin Jacobs do they get a favor in return? The answer is no,” said Jacobs, referring to herself in the third person

MOSKOWITZ AND JACOBS TOGETHER AT POLITICAL RALLY

On April 19, 2014, Charlie Crist opened a campaign office in Plantation. While Crist addressed supporters in the parking lot, Moskowitz and Jacobs spent the time chatting. RED BROWARD obtained several photographs of them.  Isn’t nice that our politicians get along with the local lobbyists?