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Broward Democrat Wants To Represent State House District He Does Not Live In (Again!)

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Broward Democrat Imtiaz Mohammad really wants to go to Tallahassee. Mohammad, publisher of the Asian Times USA, is challenging Robin Bartleman and Morey Wright for the State House District 104 seat. Rick Stark, a former Broward Republican Party Board member, currently holds the seat but term limits prevent him from seeking re-election. The District 104 seat covers western Broward including parts of Weston and Pembroke Pines.

But there’s just one problem. According to public records, Imtiaz Mohammad does not live in District 104.

Article III, Section 15 of the Florida Constitution requires state legislators to live in the district they represent.

Records show Imtiaz Mohammad lives in the city of Miramar, which is part of State House District 105.

Broward property records show Imtiaz Mohammad purchased his Miramar home in June 2015. State records show Mohammad is registered to vote at his Miramar address. Corporate records for Mohammad’s Asian Times USA list his Miramar address.

Imtiaz Mohammad even used his Miramar address when filing his District 104 paperwork.

While the Florida Constitution requires legislators to live in the district as of election day, many lawmakers regularly played this residency shell game.

RESIDENCY GAMES END?

In 2013, this reporter exposed numerous lawmakers’ violation the Florida Constitution. Records showed Perry Thurston, Joseph Gibbons, Susan Bucher, Lori Berman, Kristin Jacobs, Maria Sachs and Jared Moskowitz did not live in the Districts they were elected to represent. In response to our reports, State lawmakers created tougher guidelines to stop these residency games.

In a July 2013 letter, then-Speaker of the House Will Weatherford (R-Wesley Chapel) and then-Senate President Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) outlined a series of steps necessary to investigate claims that a legislator is unlawfully living outside the district she represents. Weatherford and Gaetz noted, “The Florida Constitution provides that each house of the Legislature is the sole judge of the qualifications of its members.” In furtherance of that role, the leaders announced they will take the following investigative steps:

1. Ask the Florida Secretary of State to certify where each legislator is registered to vote.

2. Direct the general counsels for the House and Senate to recommend appropriate standards for determining residency.

3. Outline residency standards based on the information provided.

4. Review any legally sufficient formal complaints and act promptly to address those complaints.

REPEAT OFFENDER STATUS?

This is not the first times Imtiaz Mohammad wanted to represent a District in which he did not live. In 2018, Mohammad challenged Jared Moskowitz for the State House 97 seat. Campaign literature for Mohammad’s campaign even listed the zip codes within District 97. His own zip code was not listed.

In his District 97 campaign paperwork, Imtiaz Mohammad used the Sunrise office of the Asian Times USA as his address.

Why does Imtiaz Mohammad want to represent a District in which he does not live?

Democrat Candidate Andrew Dolberg Claims His Failing Charity Gave Him “First Hand” Experience To Be State House Rep

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In May, Democrat candidate Andrew Dolberg claimed his non-profit organization gave him the necessary experience to be the next Florida House District 98 representative. In a brief speech in front of elected officials and judges, Dolberg discussed how he started the Champion Briefs Institute. He said his company teaches debate classes to Broward County students and “1,500 schools” nationwide. Dolberg said his “work is dedicated to making the next generation of young leaders.”

To further his goal, Dolberg said he started the Champion Education Foundation to provide opportunities to lower income students. Dolberg said, “I’ve seen firsthand what low income families face, the raw deal that they have especially here in Broward County.”

But a review of Champion Education Foundation’s Federal tax filings shows a lackluster organization spending more money than it raised from donors.

Information from its 2016 IRS Form 990 filing shows Dolberg’s non-profit reported $683 in expenses. The group stated in only had $653 in revenue, a deficit of $30. In 2015, Champion Education Foundation reported $499 in revenue and $434 in expenses. Both reports show the Foundation is hardly a runaway success.

According to the IRS, 2014 was the best year for Dolberg’s charity. The group reported $4,920 in revenue versus $4,017 in expenses. But the report shows the amount raised had little impact on low-income students.

In the 2014 Form 999 Dolberg’s charity reported spending $2,675 on a “Coaches Round Robin” event to raise money. According to Dolberg, the event resulted in just two $250 scholarships. The same report lists $1,338 spent on the Champion Briefs Institute “Speakathon.” The Form states this event resulted in a single $250 schloarship.

Things were even worse in 2013 for Dolberg’s non-profit. The Champion Education Foundation told the IRS it raised just $1,030 for the year. Dolberg’s group claimed $2,478 in expenses resulting in a $1,448 deficit. In the report, Champion Education Foundation said it spent $2,478 on its Coaches Round Robin event. Dolberg’s charity told the IRS the event, “failed to raise enough to cover expenses.”

While Dolberg promises to bring “real Progressive change” to Broward, it appears his charity works by old establishment rules–spend big bucks on an event, give little back to the real people and don’t worry about deficits.

ProTip: Next time, forget the event. Spend the money on scholarships.