Tag Archives: Broward Vision

PAC Funded By Controversial Developer Paid $5,000 To Mother Of Lauderhill Mayor Denise Grant

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Lauderhill Mayor Denise Grant

A political committee, funded in part by a controversial real estate developer, paid a $5,000 consultant fee to the mother of Lauderhill Mayor Denise Grant, campaign records show. According to official State records, the Lauderhill Unity PC was created in May 2024. One month later, the committee received $30,000 in contributions from Lauderhill Mall Investment LLC.

As REDBROWARD previously reported, Lauderhill Mall Investment LLC is owned by Yoram Izhak of North Miami. In 2004, the U.S. Justice Department charged him with racketeering with “The Cuban Mafia.” The Feds alleged Izhak was a “money launderer” for “The Corporation,” an organized crime mafia involved in drug trafficking and murder. Izhak would plead guilty to tax evasion and the more serious charges against him were dropped. Izhak, a real estate investor, owns numerous properties across south Florida including the Lauderhill Mall.

Izhak’s convictions on tax evasion, and an unrelated gun charge, hurt his ability to do business with local governments across South Florida.

In 2014, the Miami Dade County Commission approved a $3 million dollar grant to Izhak to refurbish a strip mall near Liberty City. According to the Miami New Times, “The county commission unanimously approved the deal without discussion January 24, though the plan’s original sponsor, Jean Monestime, pulled his name and withheld his vote at the last minute when the Miami-Dade ethics commission ruled he had a conflict of interest.” Montesime, a County Commission, leased office space from Izhak. 

One month later, the Miami Dade County Commission rescinded the grant after negative publicity.

In June 2017, the Fort Myers City Council agreed to have Izhak build a police substation on one of his properties. Two months later, the City Council terminated the agreement after learning about Izhak’s convictions. “We basically distanced ourselves,” Acting City Attorney Terry Cramer said. “We didn’t want to be involved.”

THE GRANT “SLATE”

Last month, REDBROWARD revealed Izhak made numerous large contributions to Denise Grant and her “slate” for the Lauderhill Commission.

In August 2024, three companies owned by Yoram Izhak made contributions totaling $30,000 to the Broward Vision PAC. As REDBROWARD previously reported, Broward Vision PAC is chaired by Trace Robinson, a close associate of Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton. Also, Broward Vision raises money for Bolton’s Key To The Region Gala.

In Lauderhill, Commissioner Denise Grant, a Bolton ally, ran for mayor. According to her official campaign reports, Grant received twenty-one $1,000 contributions from twenty-one separate corporate entities owned by Yoram Izhak. 

Newly elected Lauderhill Commissioner John Hodgson reported three $1,000 contributions from three different companies owned by Izhak. This includes a $1,000 contribution from Lauderhill Mall Investment LLC.

Lauderhill Commissioner Richard Campbell reported 25 contributions tied to Yoram Izhak.

Grant, Campbell and Hodgson appeared on phony voter guides sent to Lauderhill voters.

All three candidates won their elections. Grant was sworn in as Mayor two weeks ago.

Why was Yoram Izhak so interested in Lauderhill politics?

LAUDERHILL MALL MAKEOVER

In late October, published reports detailed Yorma Izhak’s IMC Equity Group plans to build a “mixed-use” project on the southern portion of the Lauderhill Mall property. The project would consist of three apartment buildings. In order for the project to move forward, IMC needs a special exemption from the Lauderhill City Commission.

The three apartment buildings would be just one part of a massive new complex. 

According to one report, “plans are underway to transform unused space into a mixed-use project featuring 233 apartments and over 14,000 square feet of commercial space. The proposed five-story building will include ground-floor commercial units and a total of 56 apartments while an eight-story building will house a clubhouse and additional amenities along with another set of residential units totaling up to122 one- or two-bedroom apartments. A third five-story building will complete the project with an additional 55 apartment units.”

Portions of the mall would be demolished and a bus depot would be moved, the South Florida Business Journal reported.

LAUDERHILL UNITY

On August 21, 2024, the Lauderhill Unity PC reported a $5,000 payment to Paulette Thomas of Lauderhill. According to State campaign records, Lauderhill Unity paid Thomas for “consulting” fees. According to City of Lauderhill campaign records, Paulette Thomas Davy is a nurse.

Why is a Lauderhill nurse serving as a consultant to a political committee?

Paulette Thomas Davy is the mother of Mayor Denise Grant.

At her swearing ceremony last month, Denise Grant thanked her mother by name. In 2014, Grant and her mother were partners in corporation called “Tea Time With Denise Talk Show.”

REDBROWARD wanted to Mayor Denise Grant why a PAC funded by a developer would hire her mother. In a brief telephone conversation, Grant confirmed Paulette Thomas Davy is her mother. Grant said she would review the matter and respond by email.

Grant did not respond by our publication deadline.

Ray Joseph Helped Build A Network Of Political Committees Tied To Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton, Now She Wants A Seat On Lauderdale Lakes Commission

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Malucci Ray Joseph Is A Close Associate Of Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton

Ray Joseph claims she will bring “new energy” and “honest leadership” to the Lauderdale Lakes Commission if residents vote for her this November. Joseph says, “Together, let’s build a brighter future for Lauderdale Lakes!” But since 2019, Joseph helped build a network of political committees tied to Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton.

Better known as Malucci Ray Joseph, she has helped operate at least four committees tied to Bolton.

In April 2019, Malucci Joseph served as the treasurer for two political committees—Go Tamarac Go and Residents United PAC. The chairman of both committees was Carl Williams, another close associate of Marlon Bolton.

State records list Carl Williams and the P.O. Box 246164 on the business records for New Convenant Ministeries International-Miami Florida. While the post office box is listed as its mailing address, since 2017, corporate records show the principal address of New Convenant Ministeries International-Miami Florida as 1625 S. State Road 7 in North Lauderdale.

Since 2015, the storefront at 1625 S. State Road 7 in North Lauderdale has been the principal address for Praise Experience Worldwide Outreach Church. This church is owned by Marlon Bolton.

Not only is Carl Williams a Bolton appointee to the City of Tamarac parks & recreation committee, videos show Williams assisting Bolton during church services at his North Lauderdale church.

Malucci Ray Joseph is a singer and active participant at services held at Marlon Bolton’s Praise Experience Worldwide Outreach church in North Lauderdale as well.

Between July 2019 and October 2022, Forecast Holdings made nine contributions to Residents United PAC. Forecast Holdings is a company owned by Marlon Bolton.

CONSERVATIVE GOVERNANCE?

Malucci Ray Joseph is currently the chairman of the Conservative Governance PAC. In August, Conservative Governance PAC received a $2,000 contribution from Trace Robinson, another close Bolton ally.

As REDBROWARD previously reported, Robinson is chairman of the Broward Vision PAC. This political committee raises funds for Bolton’s annual Key To The Region gala.

Federal records show Our Blue Democracy was formed in September 2020 by its treasurer Malucci Ray Joseph. Our Blue Democracy used the same address and telephone number as the Conservative Converance PAC operated by Malucci Ray Joseph.

Federal campaign reports show a September 18, 2020 contribution of $5,000 by Malucci Joseph. Four days later, Our Blue Democracy paid $3,309.34 to Minuteman Press of Coral Springs for mailing services and $900 to Xpress Color of Lauderdale Lakes for printing services. These are the same companies used by Residents United PAC, Conservative Governance PAC and Go Tamarac Go PAC.

REDBROWARD wanted to ask Broward resident Malucci Joseph why she opened so many Tallahassee based political committees.

In July 2022, this reporter called the Tallahassee telephone number listed for both committees: (850) 220-7853.

But Malucci Joseph did not answer the phone.

Marlon Bolton answered the phone.

“Hello?” Marlon Bolton said.

“Marlon?”

“Who’s this?” Bolton said.

This reporter identified himself and the publication and asked Bolton why he was answering a telephone number listed for two Tallahassee based political committees.

“Tom Lauder, I don’t consider you a real reporter?”

We stated that’s his opinion and asked what his role is with the Conservative Governance PAC, the Our Blue Democracy guide and the Our Blue Broward website. 

Bolton said, “Tom Lauder, do you have any other questions, not related to these PACs?”

We asked Bolton if he had recently hired an attorney. 

“Tom Lauder, do you have any other questions?”

We asked if he had been interviewed by any Federal, State or local law enforcement agents. 

“Goodbye, Tom Lauder,” Bolton said.

In March 2022, the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) advised Our Blue Democracy it was being terminated.

OUR BLUE DEMOCRACY RIDES AGAIN?

As REDBROWARD reported earlier, Our Blue Democracy is back. On Saturday, the Sun-Sentinel reported Our Blue Democracy mailed a “phony” voter guide to Sunrise residents. The guide used photos of Kamala Harris to promote Bolton crony Mark Douglas over incumbent Mayor Mike Ryan.

REDBROWARD obtained a similar Our Blue Democracy guide sent to Tamarac residents. This mailer featured Marlon Bolton with Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

According to her official campaign treasurer reports, Malucci Ray Joseph received contributions for her Lauderdale Lakes race from Trace Robinson and Mrs. Marlon Bolton.

Will Lauderdale Lakes residents get a “phony” Our Blue Democracy guide promoting Malucci Ray Joseph over incumbent Democrat Karlene Maxwell-Williams?

Will Malucci Ray Joseph give up the political committees if elected to the Lauderdale Lakes Commission?

Why is Marlon Bolton so involved in the races in Sunrise and Lauderdale Lakes?