Tag Archives: Broward County School Board

Judge Destry Latest Broward Pol Violating Florida Campaign Laws

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Matthew I. Destry is a Criminal Division judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit Court in Florida. He was appointed by former Governor Charlie Crist on November 21, 2007 to replace retired Judge Larry Seidlin. He was re-elected on November 2, 2010 to a 6 year term that ends on January 2, 2017

Judge Matthew Destry

Circuit Court Judge Matthew Destry is the latest Broward politician violating Florida elections laws. Florida Statute Section 106.09(1)(a) states, “A person may not make an aggregate cash contribution…to the same candidate or committee in excess of $50 per election.” According to the law, anyone who accepts more than $50 in cash, “commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.” Accepting more than $5000 is a felony. On November 11, 2015 Judge Matthew Destry deposited $1,000 cash into his campaign account.

In a December 10th letter to the Florida Division of Elections, Destry’s campaign admitted its mistake. “In filing the report it was learned that no more than $50 in cash may be accepted for any campaign contribution including the funds of the candidate. While we were aware of this regulation we were unaware that it included the candidates own personal funds as well as funds of others.” The campaign issued a refund to Destry and he gave a check to the campaign.

Last May, REDBROWARD exposed how Judge John “Jay” Hurley accepted campaign contributions before filing for re-election. He refunded the money. However, the refund may not save Hurley from the wrath of the Florida Supreme Court. In April, the Florida Supreme Court issued a public reprimand against an Indian River County Judge for doing the same thing.

In August, REDBROWARD revealed Broward School Board Member Rosalind Osgood has violated Florida elections law, twice. On July 9, 2015, Osgood loaned her campaign $100 in cash. Two weeks later, Osgood contributed $1,000 in cash.

In June, REDBROWARD showed Florida House candidate Roxanne Valies listed three contributions made by Valies herself. Two cash contributions of $50 each and one $150 check. In May, Valies loaned the campaign another $300 from her own funds.

Also in June, REDBROWARD exposed how Broward Sheriff “Mystery Man” candidate Edison Jules gave his own campaign $500 in cash.

Last week, REDBROWARD reported Broward County Circuit Court candidate Lea Krauss may have violated Florida Statutes and Code of Judicial Conduct. Krauss admitted to attending a partisan political fundraiser. She said she paid to attend the Hollywood Hills Democratic Club event.

Why can’t Broward politicians follow the rules?

Broward School Board Member Violates Florida Election Laws

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roz11According to her campaign treasurer’s report, Broward School Board Member Rosalind Osgood has violated Florida elections law, twice. On July 9, 2015, Osgood loaned her campaign $100 in cash. Two weeks later, Osgood contributed $1,000 in cash. Florida election law prohibits candidates from accepting cash contributions over fifty dollars.

Section 106.09(1)(a) states, “A person may not make an aggregate cash contribution…to the same candidate or committee in excess of $50 per election.” According to the law, anyone who accepts more than $50 in cash, “commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.” Accepting more than $5000 is a felony.

Osgood is not the first Broward candidate to violate Florida elections law. In June, REDBROWARD exposed how “Mystery” Broward Sheriff candidate Edison Jules gave his own campaign $500 in cash. Also in June, REDBROWARD revealed Florida House District 95 candidate Roxanne Y. Valies’ illegal cash contributions.

On her April 2015 campaign report, Valies listed three contributions made by Valies herself. Two cash contributions of $50 each and one $150 check. The aggregate of Valies’ two cash contributions is $100 dollars, a first degree misdemeanor under Florida law. Even Broward Judges do not follow Florida elections laws.

In May, REDBROWARD reported Broward County Judge John “Jay” Hurley violated Florida elections laws by accepting campaign contributions before he became a candidate for elected office. Chapter 5 of the Florida Division of Elections “Candidate and Campaign Treasurer Handbook” states, “Nothing prohibits a person from announcing their intention to become a candidate prior to filing Form DS-DE 9, as long as no contributions are received, no expenditures are made, and no signatures are obtained on a candidate petition.” The State says Form DS-DE 9, “Shall be on file with the filing officer prior to the candidate accepting any contributions or making any expenditures, or authorizing another to accept contributions or make expenditures on the person’s behalf.” Judge Hurley filed his Form DS-DE 9 with the Broward Supervisor of Elections Office (SOE) on April 10, 2015.

After REDBROWARD exposed his violations, Hurley refunded the illegal campaign contributions he accepted before becoming a candidate for office. REDBROWARD reported how seriously The Florida Supreme Court viewed campaign violations by judges. Earlier this year, The Court punished a Vero Beach Judge for elections law violations. Many courthouse insiders expect the Judicial Qualifying Commission (JQC) will take a close look at all elections law violations.