Tag Archives: florida house district 95

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 Candidate Files Late, Tells State She Lives Outside House District

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Roxanne Y. Valies (via Twitter)

Roxanne Y. Valies (via Twitter)

Nearly one month after it was due, Florida House District 95 candidate Roxanne Y. Valies finally filed her April 2015 campaign financial report. Last month, REDBROWARD reported on the May 12th “Fail To File” letter from the Florida Division of Elections ordering her to explain why her report was not filed. Valies would be fined $50 a day for the first three days the report is late. If the report is not filed after three days, Bronson said the campaign would be fined $500 per day not to exceed 25% of the receipts or expenditures in the report. Valies’ April and May financial reports were just posted to the State website.

For April, 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.

As REDBROWARD previously reported, 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.

The aggregate of Valies’ two cash contributions is $100 dollars, a first degree misdemeanor under Florida law.

By listing the same Sunrise address for all four of her contributions, Valies is admitting she does not live in District 95.

In April, REDBROWARD revealed Valies was playing the same residency games as Hazelle Rogers, the current representative for District 95.

The Florida Constitution requires all state legislators to live in the House or Senate district they represent.

As first reported in April 2013, Rogers owns a large home with her husband outside the District she represents, but claims she is living  in a small, older condominium within her district.

In 2008, Rogers listed a Lauderdale Lakes house in District 94 as her official mailing address. The 2,184-square foot home is owned by Rogers and her husband, Clifton. Records from the Florida Division of Elections show the Rogers home is the current official address for Premier Group Enterprises, Inc. Documents filed on April 17, 2012 show Rogers and her husband are officers of the corporation.

In campaign documents filed with the State Division of Elections, Rogers now lists a small Lauderdale Lakes condominium in District 95 as her address.

Valies currently resides in House District 97, represented by Democrat Jared Moskowitz. According to the Broward County Property Appraiser (BCPA), Valies has owned a spacious Sunrise townhome since 1998. Valies receives the full Homestead tax exemption at this address.

BCPA records show Valies has owned a much smaller Lauderhill condominium since 2003.

While her official campaign documents filed with the State of Florida show a Tamarac address, voter registration websites show Valies is still registered to vote at her Sunrise home.

While new Florida Legislative rules require Valies to live in District 95 as of election day, these residency games raise troubling questions.