investigation - REDBROWARD

Samson Borgelin, left and Team Dale Holness

North Lauderdale taxpayers will pay big bucks for an independent investigation into allegations made by an aide to Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness. In a May 11, 2021 email to North Lauderdale Commissioner Samson Borgelin, former deputy city clerk Anthony Bonamy made allegations of “mistreatment” by city officials. One month earlier, the City Commission fired Bonamy after REDBROWARD exposed his role in the phony “Tamarac Post” website.

When hired for the position in December 2020, Anthony Bonamy signed a contract prohibiting any work for local candidates or politicians. REDBROWARD revealed Bonamy owned the “Tamarac Post” website which provided favorable coverage of Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton and Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness.

Bolton, Commissioner Samson Borgelin and Commissioner Regina Martin pushed for the hiring of Bonamy as deputy city clerk. All three are staunch supporters of Dale Holness.

Two weeks ago, REDBROWARD revealed Bonamy was back on the public payroll.

Broward County Commission visitor logs show Dale Holness met with Anthony Bonamy on May 5th to “discuss office details.” On May 7th, Holness and Bonamy met to discuss “future items.” On May 14, 2021 Bonamy met with Holness chief of staff Heidi Richards. The log indicates Bonamy provided “documents” to Richards. Anthony Bonamy is currently listed as a Holness aide on the official Broward County Commission website.

On May 11, 2021 at 4:45pm, Bonamy sent an email detailing allegations of mistreatment to Commissioner Samson Borgelin. According to a discussion of the matter at the May 24, 2021 North Lauderdale commission meeting, Borgelin immediately shared the email with his fellow commissioners. The Commission was in the middle of a workshop when Borgelin received the email.

North Lauderdale Mayor Ana Ziade called Borgelin’s receipt of the Bonamy email “suspicious.”

BORGELIN DEMANDS SUBPOENA POWER

During the May 24th meeting, City Manager Ambreen Bhatty announced an independent investigation into Anthony Bonamy’s allegations. Bhatty stated, “At the City Commission meeting on May 11, Commissioner Borgelin forwarded to the City Commission, City Manager, City Attorney, and the Community Development Department an e- mail that he received from a terminated employee, which alleged mistreatment. The item was not on the Commission agenda for that day and was tabled until the May 25th agenda.” With the assistance of City Attorney Sam Goren, Bhatty selected local attorney Ava Gaye Hue to conduct the investigation. Hue will charge North Lauderdale taxpayers $350 per hour for her investigation.

But the hiring of an independent investigator was not good enough for Samson Borgelin. As one of Anthony Bonamy’s strongest supporters, it is not surprising that Borgelin wanted to personally conduct a witch hunt into the matter. Borgelin argued Commissioners had the power to investigate and subpoena witness. Borgelin was visibly upset that an actual attorney was hired without his explicit approval.

Borgelin demanded the email be made public by publishing it in the commission agenda. City Attorney Goren stated the email was exempt from publication. He stated Commissioners needed to protect the privacy of Bonamy as well as those Bonamy named in the email.

Did Dale Holness know Anthony Bonamy made these allegations against a City he represents?

Does Dale Holness care that residents of city he represents is spending money on allegations made by his personal aide?

Did Dale Holness know about these allegations before he hired Anthony Bonamy?

Has Dale Holness discussed this matter with Commisisoner Samson Borgelin or Commissioner Regina Martin?

Did Dale Holness play any role in the hiring of Anthony Bonamy as North Lauderdale Deputy City Clerk in November 2020?

North Lauderdale City Manager Ambreen Bhatty memo re: Anthony Bonamy

North Lauderdale Commissioner Regina Martin received two Federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans using the address of Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton. These emergency pandemic loans were intended to help business owners pay workers during the COVID-19 lockdown. PPP loans were also available for self-employed business owners. State of Florida records show Regina Martin owns multiple corporations.

According to public databases, Regina Martin was awarded a $20,000 PPP loan on July 16, 2020. Martin’s loan was coded as “Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (Self-Employed Individuals).” Records show the funds were not disbursed.

State records do not show Regina Martin as a licensed insurance broker.

On February 18, 2021, Regina Martin was awarded a $20,000 PPP loan for her “Tax Preparation Services….Existing or more than 2 years old” business. This loan was disbursed to Martin.

For both loans, Regina Martin used apartment on Ann Lee Lane in Tamarac.

Campaign records and even a police report show this same address is the residence of Marlon Bolton.

Marlon Bolton’s official campaign treasurer’s reports from July 2020 and February 2021 list his address as the same Ann Lee Lane unit used by Regina Martin.

State records show Regina Martin owns several businesses located at Ann Lee Lane in Tamarac. These businesses include Regina Martin Enterprise LLC, House of Baby Doll LLC and Millennium Kingdom International Embassy.

CLOSE TIES

REDBROWARD reported on Regina Martin’s close ties to Marlon Bolton.

Happy Feet Advertising, LLC, a political consulting company tied Marlon Bolton, performed extensive campaign work for Regina Martin, records show. Campaign treasurer reports show Martin paid $14,750 to Happy Feet during the 2020 election cycle. In fact, Martin paid Happy Feet nearly $1,000 more than Bolton paid for similar campaign work.

REDBROWARD revealed Marlon Bolton’s ties to The Tamarac Post, a public relations site operated by North Lauderdale deputy clerk Anthony Bonamy. When Bonamy applied for the North Lauderdale late last year, he listed Marlon Bolton as a reference. After being sworn into office on November 19, 2020, Regina Martin’s first official act was making a motion to hire Anthony Bonamy. Her motion was seconded by North Lauderdale Commissioner Samson Boregelin. Marlon Bolton spoke at the meeting. He urged North Lauderdale leaders to hire Bonamy.

REDBROWARD obtained video recorded by Regina Martin on election night as her victory was announced by local media. One man is heard gasping for air as he declares “Oh my God” several times. The man was Marlon Bolton. Later in the video, Martin receives a congratulatory hug from Commissioner Boregelin.

As the excitement dies down, Bolton tells Martin he is going to the election party of Tamarac Commissioner Elvin Villalobos. Martin immediate asks Bolton about “Mayor Dale [Holness], are you going to Mayor Dale’s.”

Regina Martin joined the North Lauderdale City Commission on November 18, 2020. Why was she using Marlon Bolton’s address in February 2021?

Did Regina Martin live on Ann Lee Lane? Did she live with Marlon Bolton and his wife at that address?

Does Regina Martin sell insurance or perform tax preparation?

REDBROWARD asked Regina Martin for comment. The number listed for Martin on the City of North Lauderdale is the City Clerk’s telephone number. Ms. Martin has not responded to our email.