Tag Archives: Gelin Benefits Group

After Landing No-Bid Contract From Broward Supervisor Of Elections Office, Tamarac Commissioner Elberg Mike Gelin May Score Big Commission Check For Work He Did Not Perform

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Team Dale Holness Strikes Again?
Joe Scott & Dale Holness

Thanks to a no-bid contract from Broward Supervisor of Elections (SOE) Office, Tamarac Commissioner Elberg Mike Gelin may pocket a huge commission check for work performed by another insurance benefits company. In March, newly-elected Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott signed a contract with Gelin Benefits Group, Inc. to provide insurance benefits services to SOE employees. Elberg Mike Gelin created Gelin Benefits Group in 2015.

Under the no-bid contract Gelin Benefits Group would act as the “service provider” for the insurance benefits policy between the Broward Supervisor Of Elections Office and United Healthcare Services (UHS). The deal would pay Gelin Benefits Group a commission equivalent to 6.83% of the medical premium paid to United Healthcare Services. Elberg Mike Gelin signed the contract on February 16, 2021.

According to a source, the previous Broward SOE service provider submitted the 2021 insurance information to United Healthcare Services in December 2020. At some point between February 16, 2021 and March 10, 2021 (when Joe Scott signed the contract) United Healthcare Services recognized Gelin Benefits Group as the sole service provider for Broward SOE. Even though Gelin Benefits Group played no role in the crafting of the current policy, United Healthcare Services would pay the 2021 commission to Gelin’s company.

The source told REDBROWARD that Gelin Benefits Group would do nothing more provide information and guidance to Broward SOE employees during the 2021 calendar year.

The source claimed former Broward Supervisor of Elections Peter Antonacci was happy with the work of previous service provider but he wanted Scott to have a say in the matter. The source said Joe Scott never met or even talked to the previous service provider.

When asked by REDBROWARD about changing service providers, Joe Scott said, “My team wasn’t happy with the previous vendor and Gelin Benefits Group has a great reputation and my staff is very happy with the change.”

Scott said Gelin Benefits Group recently hosted a “health fair” for SOE employees.

As to why he didn’t seek proposals for the contract, Scott said, “Going out to bid is not always necessary to get the best deal. Our office has ongoing needs from our benefits provider. Some treat the relationship as if it was only about setting up the benefits package. Gelin works with us on an ongoing basis.”

Scott claimed the previous service provider “didn’t have adequate customer service.”

REDBROWARD asked Joe Scott how he became aware of Gelin Benefits Group.

“Gelin is really good at what they do,” Scott said. “The company is very well known in my community.” Scott would not elaborate on what he means by “my community.”

When asked if he was concerned the no-bid contract looks like political payback to one of his earliest supporters, Scott said, “I made changes in vendor relationships to improve the organization. It’s pretty typical for losing vendors to be sour. It’s not newsworthy.”

Scott failed to respond to questions regarding discussions with anyone about Gelin Benefits Group.

GELIN BENEFITS GROUP GROWS

While Joe Scott may not think it’s “newsworthy,” taxpayers do have a right to know when an elected official lands big government contracts for his company. Government agencies will put contracts out to bid in order to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. Here, the Broward SOE deal with Gelin Benefits Groups raises questions about a conflict of interest.

In early 2020, Joe Scott was a political newcomer in a race filled with longtime political insiders like former Broward Democrat Party Chairman Mitch Ceasar and former Broward School Board Member Jennifer Gottlieb. Some of Joe Scott’s earliest supporters were members of Team Dale Holness. In January 2020, Joe Scott received $500 from Happy Feet Advertising. REDBROWARD exposed Happy Feet Advertising’s close ties to Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton. In June 2020, Scott received a contribution from Gelin himself. One month later, Scott received $500 from Forecast Holdings LLC, a company owned by Marlon Bolton. In October 2019, Scott received a contribution from Coral Springs Commissioner Nancy Metayer. Gelin recently revealed Metayer served as his aide on the Tamarac Commisison.

In September 2020, Joe Scott picked up a contribution from Miramar Commissioner Yvette Colburne. Last month, REDBROWARD revealed Gelin Benefits Group received a big new deal from the City of Miramar. Gelin did not disclose this deal when attorneys representing Miramar applied for the City of Tamarac city attorney position.

During the 2020 election, Joe Scott hired Flyer Smith for campaign services. REDBROWARD reported how Flyer Smith owner Omar Smith, Dale Holness’ campaign guru, is repeatedly involved in mysterious political committees supporting Holness and his allies. Last year, The People Of Principle PAC mailers featured Joe Scott alongside Dale Holness.

Did Joe Scott discuss Gelin Benefits Group with any of these supporters?

Is it just a coincidence that an incoming supervisor of elections just happens to know the name of a fairly new company that does business with municipalities?

Is it another coincidence that this obscure company is owned by one of his earliest supporters?

Is it fair that Gelin Benefits Group gets to pocket a commission for work it did not perform?

Is this just another case of crony capitalism? Well-connected friends reaping the rewards of backing the winning candidate?

Don’t Broward taxpayers deserve answers?

Broward SOE contract with Gelin Benefits Group

City Of Tamarac Lawyers Specifically Asked Florida Commission On Ethics For Opinion On Elberg Mike Gelin Contract With BSO, Yet He Failed To List Deal On His Financial Disclosure Form

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Despite the concerns of city lawyers about his business dealings with the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO), Tamarac Commissioner Elberg Mike Gelin failed to disclose the financial relationship on his legally required Form 1, records show. On November 27, 2018, Gelin took the oath of office as a Tamarac Commissioner. One week later, Tamarac city attorney Sam Goren asked the Florida Commission On Ethics if a prohibited conflict of interest was created by a company owned by Elberg Mike Gelin having an existing business relationship with BSO. The City of Tamarac has a contract with BSO to provide law enforcement services.

In addition to the BSO matter, Tamarac lawyers asked the Commission On Ethics whether any conflict would arise if Gelin Benefits Group worked with other vendors doing business with government entities. Also, lawyers asked if Gelin Benefits Group was prohibited from signing future contracts with municipalities or government entities.

On February 14, 2018 Gelin Benefits Group entered into a contract with BSO to provide health insurance consulting services. The one year deal paid Gelin Benefits Group $20,000 on a quarterly basis. BSO retained the right to extended the contract for year.

The City of Tamarac provided a copy of the BSO contract with Gelin Benefits Group to the Florida Commission On Ethics. Emails between the Commission On Ethics and Tamarac lawyers show Gelin was a willing participant in the inquiry.

On January 7, 2019 the Florida Commission On Ethics delivered good news for Elberg Mike Gelin. In its opinion, the Commission stated Gelin’s deal with BSO avoided any conflict of interest because it was signed before he was elected. The Commission stated the deal was “grandfathered” and posed no issue.

As to future business agreements, the Florida Commission On Ethics determined it lacked specific facts to render an opinion on the matter. But the Commission was told Gelin was not seeking new deals with anyone doing business with the City of Tamarac.

The Commission wrote:

[Y]ou relate that the Commissioner’s company is not specifically seeking to do business with agencies within the county, or elsewhere, that have relationships with the city, that the city has agreements with a number of government agencies but it is unknown whether these agencies will be in the markets for services provided by the commissioner’s company, and that there is not, nor is there anticipated to be, any lawsuit or friction between the city and any other government agency that the commissioner’s company might work for.

Five months after the Florida Commission On Ethics found no issues with his dealings with BSO, Elberg Mike Gelin filed his legally required financial interests disclosure forms. Dubbed a Form 1, the required disclosure allows voters to know the financial interests of their elected officials.

On his 2018 Form 1 financial disclosure, Elberg Mike Gelin did not list Gelin Benefits Group’s contract with the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

GELIN’S FAILURE TO DISCLOSE TO VOTERS

Commissioner Elberg Mike Gelin appears to have a problem disclosing his business dealings to Tamarac voters. Last week, REDBROWARD reported Gelin failed to disclose all of his government contracts on his required financial forms. Form 1 consists of three parts. Elected officials are required to disclose primary sources of income, secondary sources of income and real property.

Under secondary sources of income, officials are told to include “Major customers, clients and other sources of income to businesses owned by the reporting person.”

Under secondary sources of income on his 2018 Form 1, Commissioner Gelin wrote “N/A” which is shorthand for “not applicable.”

REDBROWARD asked Gelin to clarify why his contract with BSO between February 2018 and February 2019 was “not applicable.” Gelin did not respond.

On his Form 1 for 2019, Gelin listed contracts with the City of Miramar, the City of Lauderdale Lakes and Broward Health (North Broward Health District). Still no mention of a contract with BSO.

Even though he listed just three government agencies on his 2019 Form 1, documents show Gelin Benefits Group previously touted contracts with multiple government agencies.

On January 10, 2019, Gelin Benefits Group submitted a proposal to the City of Lauderdale Lakes. In the proposal, Gelin Benefits Group states it provides services to the City of Miramar and the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO).

On August 22, 2019, Gelin Benefits Group submitted a controversial proposal to the City of North Miami. Gelin Benefits Group stated its clients included the City of Miramar, the City of Lauderdale Lakes, Broward Health, Broward Sheriff’s Office, and Broward County Government.

Under “notable client experience,” Gelin listed the City of Miramar, the City of Coconut Creek and the Broward Clerk of Courts.

Under “references,” Gelin Benefits Group listed Miramar, BSO, and Broward County Government.

Why did Commissioner Elberg Mike Gelin fail to list BSO, Coconut Creek, Broward Clerk of Courts or Broward County Government on his 2018 or 2019 Form 1 disclosure of his financial interests?

Surely, any business owner would consider BSO, Broward County Government and the Clerk of Courts as “major” customers or clients.

Does Gelin want to keep the public from knowing about his business dealings? Again, Gelin refused to respond to questions.

When it comes to disclosures, Gelin appears to treat his fellow commissioners the same way he treats voters.

GELIN FAILS TO DISCLOSE TO COMMISSION

Earlier this month, REDBROWARD revealed Gelin failed to mention his business relationship with the City of Miramar even though the Miramar city attorney was seeking the same position with the City of Tamarac. According to public records, Gelin Benefits Group, a company owned by Commissioner Gelin, has a lucrative contract with the City of Miramar.

In 2018, the City of Miramar signed a contract for health benefits consulting with Gelin Benefits Group, Inc. The three year deal was set to expire in January 2021.

On January 27, 2021, City of Miramar officials recommended a new deal with Gelin Benefits Group. The first contract awarded $105,000 per year to Gelin Benefits Group. The new deal saw a huge 60% increase for Gelin Benefits Group.

Under the new deal, Miramar taxpayers would pay $165,000 per year to Gelin’s company as well as “$240 hourly for work on an as needed basis.”

The resolution for the new contract and the contract itself were drafted by attorneys from the Austin Pamies Norris Weeks Powell law firm.

During the May 12, 2021 city commissioner meeting, Gelin blasted Tamarac Talk and REDBROWARD for examining the candidates for the city attorney position. Similar to his recent attacks on The Sun-Sentinel, Gelin smeared stories as “propaganda” in a futile attempt to rehabilitate three of the five candidates for the position.

In April, REDBROWARD revealed one applicant, Michael Garcia, was listed as an attorney with the Austin Pamies Norris Weeks Powell law firm, another applicant for the Tamarac position. That firm was founded by former Broward Supervisor Of Elections attorney Burnadette Norris Weeks, a longtime ally of County Commissioner Dale Holness. While Holness is not listed as a professional reference, Austin Pamies Norris Weeks Powell does list Brenda Snipes.

Another of Burnadette Norris Weeks’ professional references is Miramar City Commissioner Alexandra Davis. In April, Davis joined Maxwell Chambers and Elberg Mike Gelin at Dale Holness’ campaign kickoff. In March, Alexandra Davis joined Dale Holness and Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton at a party hosted by Jamaican General Consul Oliver Mair.

During his presentation at the May 12, 2021 Tamarac commission meeting, Elberg Mike Gelin stated Michael Garcia served as a subcontractor with the Austin Pamies Norris Weeks Powell law firm. Gelin said a “simple phone call” would have revealed that Garcia handled legal work for the City of Miramar on behalf of the Austin Pamies Norris Weeks Powell firm. How did Gelin know about this business arrangement? It was not included in the proposals from either firm. Gelin stated, “There’s no controversy here.”

Perhaps there was no controversy, but Gelin did not tell his fellow commissioners about his dealings with these candidates in Miramar.

On May 12th, Commissioner Elberg Mike Gelin was the lone vote against the hiring of the Fox Rothschild law firm as the new Tamarac city attorney.

Form 1 for 2020 should be filed within days.