Category Archives: RED BROWARD

Mystery Surrounds Broward Elections’ Atty Contribution To Alcee Hastings

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Burnadette Norris-Weeks at Alcee Hastings fundraiser in June 2015

Burnadette Norris-Weeks at Alcee Hastings fundraiser in June 2015

Mystery surrounds a $1,000 campaign contribution to Congressman Alcee Hastings reported yesterday to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC). The Hastings campaign listed a $1,000 contribution on June 30, 2015 by Mr. Aaron C. Weeks, Esq., a self-employed attorney from Fort Lauderdale. One problem, according to the Florida Bar, Mr. Aaron C. Weeks is not an attorney.

Aaron C. Weeks is married to Burnadette Norris-Weeks, the private contract attorney for the Broward Supervisor of Elections Office (SOE). The address used for the Hastings contribution is tied to Norris-Weeks’ non-profit organization, South Florida Women of Color Empowerment Institute. On its Facebook page, the Hastings campaign posted a photograph of the Congressman and Norris-Weeks at the June 30th fundraiser in Fort Lauderdale.

As the attorney for Broward Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes, Norris-Weeks must surely be aware of the need for accurate information on campaign financial reports. These reports allow the public to follow the money given to politicians and candidates. The accuracy of these reports helps ward off undue influence on our political system.

Did the Hastings campaign make a mistake in its report to the FEC?

Did Norris-Weeks list herself as “Mrs. Aaron C. Weeks Esq.” and the campaign forgot the “s?” REDBROWARD could not find another contribution made under the name “Mrs. Aaron C. Weeks.” Also, two local lawyers had never seen a case of a married attorney using “Esq.” in conjunction with the use of spouse’s name.

Was someone trying to hide the contribution to Hastings?

Over the last few months, REDBROWARD exposed the political and financial ties between Congressman Hastings and Norris-Weeks. The ties included payments from the Hastings campaign to Norris-Weeks. In 2012 Hastings gave Norris-Weeks money for her “Step Up To The Polls” voting event and presented her with the Mildred Hastings Tenacity Award. Additionally, Hastings has sponsored Norris-Weeks’ Women of Color Empowerment Conferences.

How much influence does Congressman Alcee Hastings have over the elections process in Broward County?

Will Hastings fix the FEC report?

Broward voters deserve answers from Congressman Alcee Hastings, Dr. Brenda Snipes and Burnadette Norris-Weeks.

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Broward Judge Jay Hurley Refunds Illegal Contributions

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jay1Broward County Judge Jay Hurley has refunded the illegal campaign contributions he accepted before becoming a candidate for office. REDBROWARD reported Hurley violated Florida elections laws by accepting campaign contributions before he became a candidate for elected office. Hurley filed his Form DS-DE 9 with the Broward Supervisor of Elections Office (SOE) on April 10, 2015.

However, campaign financial reports filed show Judge Hurley was accepting contributions as far back as February 2015.

In campaign reports filed today with the Broward Supervisor of Elections Office (SOE), the Hurley campaign issued refunds to George Cable, Lawrence Wolk, Mark J. McCarthy and Judge Hurley himself.

The Hurley campaign accepted a $1000 contribution from Judge Hurley on February 3, 2015. This contribution was made more than two months before Hurley filed his Form DS-DE 9 with SOE.

The other contributions were also made before the April 10th filing of Hurley’s Form DS-DE 9.

Earlier this week, REDBROWARD reported how seriously The Florida Supreme Court viewed campaign violations by judges.

In April, the Judicial Qualifying Commission (JQC) recommended formal proceedings against Indian River Circuit Court Judge Victoria Griffin for violations of Florida Statutes 106.021 (1) which requires a candidate to file for office before appointing a campaign treasurer, opening a campaign bank account and accepting any money. Judge Griffin admitted to loaning her campaign $5,900 on May 1, 2014. On the same day, her treasurer issued a $5,803.20 check to cover the campaign filing fee.  Griffin filed the required form DS-DE9 on May 2, 2014, the last day candidates could qualify for office.

Griffin admitted her mistake, claiming it was an error made to comply with the filing fee requirement. Griffin agreed to face a public reprimand from the State’s highest court in September.

While Griffin made her error as qualifying for office ended, Judge Hurley accepted money months and months before the deadline.

Did Judge Hurley admit guilt by issuing the refunds?

Will his refunds keep the JQC and Florida Supreme Court from punishing Hurley?

Will Hurley speak to media about this?