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Tamarac City Attorney Applicant Recently Represented Commissioner Marlon Bolton’s Wife In Landlord/Tenant Lawsuit

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Marlon Bolton hugs Michael Garcia.

***CORRECTION*** An earlier version of this story stated Marlon Bolton and Michael Garcia attended Regina Martin’s victory party at a ballroom owned by Martin. This was in error. As REDBROWARD previously reported, the ballroom is owned by the wife of fellow North Lauderdale Commissioner Samson Borgelin. The updated version of the story has been corrected. We regret the error.

Last month, Michael Garcia submitted a nearly three hundred page bid to be the next Tamarac City Attorney. He gave his resume, his references and even his automobile insurance policy but Garcia failed to tell the City Commission he recently represented the wife of Marlon Bolton. Broward County Court records show Michael Garcia filed a lawsuit on behalf of Carla Tyson-Bolton in July 2020.

In the lawsuit, Tyson-Bolton demanded the Shaker Village Condominium Association return her $1,400 security deposit. Commissioner Marlon Bolton is not a named party in the lawsuit. After an exchange of documents and even mediation, Tyson-Bolton voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit on November 8, 2020.

Five days earlier, Michael Garcia hugged Marlon Bolton at an election watch party for North Lauderdale City Commissioner Regina Martin. REDBROWARD obtained a video showing Garcia and Bolton celebrating Martin’s victory at a ballroom owned by the wife of fellow North Lauderdale City Commissioner Samson Borgelin.

In March, REDBROWARD revealed ties between Michael Garcia and Anthony Bonamy, the operator of the Tamarac Post website. This website repeatedly shills for Tamarac Commissioners Bolton, Gelin, Elvin Villalobos as well as Dale Holness.

State records show Garcia and Bonamy formed the Small Business Alliance PAC in January 2019. Bonamy was named as treasurer. After receiving numerous “fail to file” campaign finance records warnings, Michael Garcia told the Division of Elections 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.

As of Monday afternoon, Michael Garcia is still listed as an attorney with the Austin Pamies Norris Weeks Powell law firm. Founded by former Broward Supervisor Of Elections attorney Burnadette Norris Weeks, Austin Pamies Norris Weeks Powell is another applicant for the City of Tamarac job. Norris Weeks is a longtime ally of County Commissioner Dale Holness.

Why did Michael Garcia fail to disclose his relationship with Marlon and Carla Tyson-Bolton to Tamarac officials?

Does Marlon Bolton believe the City of Tamarac is a personal playground he can populate with his friends, cronies and boot lickers?

The City Attorney is not the personal attorney for the Mayor and City Commissioners.

Who represents the people of Tamarac when it’s leaders are left unchecked by city officials?

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?