Denise Appleby Horland is trying to unmask the whistleblower who revealed a City of Plantation Human Resources Department investigation of Councilman Nick Sortal, records show. On June 13, 2022 REDBROWARD revealed a longtime female City employee accused Sortal of making inappropriate sexual and racial comments to her while he was conducting official business inside City Hall. An official memorandum showed Sortal admitted to making remarks about his erect penis as well as expressing satisfaction that “Plantation will never have a black mayor.”

Despite the admission, a labor attorney told City leaders they were powerless to hold Sortal accountable for his behavior. Not long after being told Sortal would face no punishment, the longtime employee left her position. Nick Sortal is currently running against popular incumbent Mayor Lynn Stoner

After the news broke about Nick Sortal’s inappropriate comments, Denise Horland remained silent. During last Wednesday’s City Council meeting, Nick Sortal admitted, for the third time, to making the remarks. Even though he told the Sun-Sentinel that reports of racial remarks were a “lie,” Sortal said his racial remarks about a black mayor were just a “tone deaf” attempt at sarcasm. Instead of a lie, Sortal told residents it was a joke.

Denise Horland remained silent.

Instead of being angry over the treatment of a female employee or the lack accountability of a sitting elected official, Plantation Councilwoman Denise Horland wants to know who made Nick Sortal’s dirty laundry public.

Two days after Nick Sortal made his third admission to making the inappropriate sexual and racial comments, Denise Horland filed a public records request with the City of Plantation clerk.

Horland wrote, “I would like to know the name of any person’s who either requested or were sent a copy of the file memorandum which details what transpired between Councilmember Sortal and Ms. [REDACTED].”

“I would also like to know the dates of the requests received and the dates the memo was shared/sent,” Horland wrote.

Horland knows the facts of the investigation. She was sitting next to Nick Sortal Wednesday night when he admitted everything to the public.

So why does Denise Horland wants names and dates of who let the public know about this injustice?

REDBROWARD asked Denise Horland. She did not respond to our request for comment.

Normally, politicians want to know who leaked embarrassing information so they can “plug the hole” or intimidate other whistleblowers from going public.

Since our story broke, prominent Sortal supporters on social media have sought out the identities of the whistleblowers.

Why is Denise Horland sticking her neck out for Nick Sortal?

Is she showing loyalty to a fellow Democrat?

Are their shared donors and campaign advisers urging Denise Horland to defend Nick Sortal?

Doesn’t Denise Horland owe a duty to City employees to defend them from attacks and inappropriate comments by City leaders?

Is this duty overshadowed by politics?

Denise Horland is on the ballot this November.

City of Plantation voters deserve answers, no?