Tag Archives: Anthony Bonamy

“DIRTY POLITICIANS:” Phony Website Tied To Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton Claimed City Attorney “Allegedly Has Ties With A Disgraced Politician Who Was Part Of The Biggest Corruption Scandal In Tamarac”

A phony website tied to embattled Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton claimed City Attorney John Herin “allegedly has ties with a disgraced politician who was part of the biggest corruption scandal in Tamarac which resulted in the former Mayor being arrested.” The bombshell allegation came in the Tamarac Post story, “Did Elvin Villalobos Perpetuate Tamarac City Manager’s Corruption Scheme?” published on September 11, 2021. The hit piece was written by “Maria Colson.”

Four days after the Villalobos hit piece appeared in the Tamarac Post, REDBROWARD revealed evidence that Marlon Bolton was tied to the publication of Maria Colson’s stories.

A link provided by the Tamarac Post revealed “MBOLTON” authored six stories attacking City of Tamarac politicians. Since August 2021, six Tamarac Post stories were written by “Maria Colson.” An August 26, 2021 story was a puff piece praising Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton for a meaningless political appointment.

The next five stories featured vicious attacks on Bolton’s fellow commissioners. The most recent story contains numerous false claims and anti-semitic attacks directed against Mayor Michelle Gomez.

In March 2021, REDBROWARD exposed Marlon Bolton’s deep ties to “The Tamarac Post,” which is owned and operated by close Bolton ally Anthony Bonamy. The City Of North Lauderdale fired Bonamy from his position as deputy clerk after REDBROWARD revealed his role in the website. Bonamy was quickly hired as an aide to Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness.

On August 31, 2021, 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.

A tip from an tech-savvy reader helped cement the ties between Bolton and the Tamarac Post.

The Tamarac Post provides a page for all stories written by Maria Colson. This is the same page with her vanity website and social media links. The address of this page is:

https://tamaracpost.com/author/mbolton

The link was disabled shortly after our original story was published.

TAMARAC POST: HERIN TIED TO “DIRTY POLITICIANS”

As the Tamarac Post story points out, Marlon Bolton helped elect Elvin Villalobos to the Tamarac City Commission. But last year, the two men had a falling out. The Tamarac Post laughably paints Bolton as a Tamarac corruption fighter. “Bolton is a champion for a good government who publicly declared war against the Tamarac City Manager…” the Tamarac Post reported.

The Tamarac Post screed discussed Cernech’s arrest for his role in an extortion scheme allegedly perpetrated by disgraced developers Bruce and Shawn Chait. The three men are excused of conspiring to extort 13th Floor Investments over a development deal in the Woodlands neighborhood.

Unsurprisingly, the Tamarac Post story makes no mention of text messages between Cernech and the Chait discussing the use of the “Bolton card” to stop 13th Floors plans to build homes in the Woodlands.

The Tamarac Post story claims Villalobos’ vote to hire John Herin as city attorney in May 2021 delayed justice in Tamarac.

“Villalobos could have acted in securing an attorney who would continue to probe and give a close watch on possible mishandling of City finances,” Tamarac Post wrote. “Instead, he opted to hire John Herin.”

After declaring Herin’s ties to a “disgraced politician” the Tamarac Post wrote, “Back in 2011, the politician was involved in the corruption scandal with her good friend, Tamarac Mayor Beth Talabisco who was arrested following her involvement in a previous Chait scandal.”

The Tamarac Post claimed Villalobos was not acting “wisely” by associating with “Mr. Herin who has ties to dirty politicians.” The Tamarac Post even accuses Villalobos of Sunshine Law violations.

Just one problem. Villalobos was not the sole vote for John Herin.

Marlon Bolton voted in favor of hiring Herin as well. The only “no” vote was cast by Commissioner Elberg Mike Gelin.”

“DISGRACED POLITICIAN”

While the Tamarac Post does not name the “disgraced politician,” any student of recent Broward politics could reasonably deduce the identity.

The politician is a female, a former “good friend of Beth Talabisco,” and played a role in an earlier scandal involving the Chaits.

Ilene Lieberman.

Former Broward County Commissioner Ilene Lieberman Michelson is a longtime resident of the Woodlands community. Last week, her husband Stuart Michelson filed his campaign paperwork to replace Elberg Mike Gelin on the Tamarac Commission. Both Ilene and Stuart Michelson are staunch opponents of 13th Floor Investment’s development plans for the Woodlands.

John Herin is another staunch opponent of 13th Floor’s plans.

Last week, REDBROWARD asked John Herin about his ties to Ilene Lieberman Michelson and Stuart Michelson. We asked if ever represented the Michelsons or any group supported by the Michelsons.

Herin responded with, “The Woodlands development project is currently the subject of on-going litigation, and therefore, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on that project at this time.”

Last week, REDBROWARD exposed how Marlon Bolton used taxpayer dollars to hire John Herin as outside counsel in December 2020. Declaring he did not trust the legal advice of then longtime City Attorney Sam Goren, Bolton hired Herin to review a legal settlement between the Chait’s Prestige Homes, the City of Tamarac and Rock Island Storage Partners. Bolton was opposed to plans to build a storage facility across the street from the Woodlands.

Tamarac taxpayers paid $7,070 for Bolton’s “probe” into the deal.

Herin refused to tell REDBROWARD how Bolton came to select him as outside counsel.

Did someone in the Woodlands recommend John Herin to Marlon Bolton?

If Herin was worth a $7,070 payday from Tamarac taxpayers in December 2020, and if Herin was Bolton’s choice for City Attorney in May 2021, why is the Tamarac Post attacking Elvin Villalobos for voting for Herin in a September 2021 story?

In addition to his troubles with former ally Villalobos, did Marlon Bolton have a falling out with John Herin or former “disgraced politicians” living in Tamarac?

Did something change the dynamics between December 2020 and September 2021?

Or, did (another) argument with Villalobos lead to another nasty Tamarac Post story?

Also, if Marlon Bolton knew this information, why didn’t he mention it before Herin was selected?

What else does Marlon Bolton know and when did he know it?

Tamarac taxpayers deserve answers, right?

What did Marlon Bolton know and when did he know it?

Dale Holness Commission Aides Paid Big Bucks For Work On His Failed Congressional Race

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Two Broward County government employees were paid big bucks for work on Dale Holness’ failed bid for U.S. Congress, Federal records show. Anthony Bonamy and Justin Porter served as commission aides for Dale Holness. While performing duties as taxpayer paid commission aides, companies tied to both men were paid by the Holness campaign.

ONE MILLENNIAL MEDIA

Last year, REDBROWARD detailed Anthony Bonamy’s ties to Dale Holness and his close ally Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton.

REDBROWARD revealed Bonamy created “Tamarac Post Media LLC” in July 2020. Weeks later the fake news 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 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 April 2021, 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.

On May 1, 2021, Tamarac Post Media LLC advised the State Of Florida that its new managing member was One Millenial Media LLC of Tamarac. Formed in November 2020, One Millenial Media LLC is managed by Violene Vil, the wife of Anthony Bonamy.

On May 27, 2021 REDBROWARD reported Bonamy had been hired as Dale Holness’ commission aide.

According to reports filed with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC), the Dale Holness for Congress campaign made eight payments to One Millenial Media LLC. The payments were for media production, community outreach, communications strategies, consulting on phone banking and canvassing. The Holness campaign paid $9,245 to the company owned by his commission aide’s wife.

PRIMETIME STRATEGIES

On June 3, 2021 Justin Porter of Pembroke Pines filed documents forming Primetime Strategies LLC. According to his social media accounts, Justin Porter worked for Commissioner Dale Holness for more than two years. From November 2019 to November 2020, Porter served as Holness’ “VIP Intern/Political Consultant.” Porter became Holness’ commission aide in December 2020. County campaign reports show Porter was paid $3,300 for work on Holness’ 2020 re-election campaign.

Just one month after forming Primetime Strategies, it received the first of fifteen payments from the Dale Holness for Congress campaign. The Holness campaign paid $37,281 to Porter’s brand new company for consulting fees, campaign operations and data management.

Primetime Strategies received multiple monthly payments between July 2021 and December 2021.

These totals may climb when the Holness for Congress campaign files new reports with the FEC.

This would not be the first time Dale Holness handsomely overpaid close associates for campaign work.

WHERE IS OMAR SMITH?

REDBROWARD has documented the close relationship between Dale Holness and his campaign guru Omar Smith.

Over the last decade, Holness paid tens of thousands of dollars to Omar Smith and his companies—A Star For I and Flyer Smith. Omar Smith operated several questionable political committees which promoted Dale Holness and his allies. Holness, Smith and Holness’ daughter Damara Holness were key components of Andrew Gillum’s 2018 gubernatorial campaign.

Yet, despite their longtime working relationship, Omar Smith was missing from Holness’ FEC reports. What happened?

REDBROWARD reported one of Omar Smith’s companies received a $212,000 Pandemic Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan to save thirty jobs. In September 2021, REDBROWARD exposed Omar Smith’s A Star For I, Inc. company received a PPP loan despite collecting payments from Dale Holness and his allies during the COVID-19 lockdown. At the time, it appeared Smith applied for a PPP loan as a sole proprietor. Political insiders doubt Omar Smith’s company ever had a payroll with thirty employees.

Last August, REDBROWARD exposed Damara Holness’ laughable claim she owned a company with eighteen employees and a $1.4 million dollar payroll. Damara Holness used Dale Holness’ business address to obtain a $300,000 PPP loan.

Days later, REDBROWARD exposed how Richelle Holness, another daughter of Dale Holness, also received a PPP loan. Like Damara, Richelle Holness appears to be heavily involved in Dale Holness’ political operations. When REDBROWARD revealed Richelle Holness’ ties to a shadowy political committee, Omar Smith reached out to REDBROWARD to ask for a favor. With a female screaming in the background, Smith asked REDBROWARD TO redacte the name of Dale Holness’ ex-wife from the story.

In January 2022, Damara Holness was sentenced to twenty-months in prison after pleading guilty to fraud related to the PPP loan. Despite her claim of cooperating with authorities, the U.S. Attorney stated Damara Holness never revealed the whereabouts of $181,000 in cash from her PPP loan scheme.

Though he lost the congressional race to Sheila Cherfilus McCormick, Dale Holness will try to unseat her in November.

At least his consultants won’t be on the public payroll this time. Well, let’s just wait and see on that one.

Sore Losergate: Dale Holness’ Election Lawsuits Notarized By Aide Tied To Controversial “Tamarac Post” Website

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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.

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.

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.

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?”

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