Squabbles among politicians serving on the same boards are nothing new, but the upcoming elections in Pembroke Pines have taken it to a whole new level. State and local records show Pembroke Pines Commissioner Jay Schwartz is very involved in Dave Tringo’s campaign against Pembroke Pines Vice-Mayor Angelo Castillo. But the same records show the Commissioner is not the only member of the Schwartz household involved in the Tringo campaign.
On March 16, 2017 Dave Tringo filed campaign paperwork for the Pembroke Pines District 4 seat currently held by Angelo Castillo. In a highly unusual move, Commissioner Jay Schwartz was listed as Tringo’s campaign treasurer. While politicians are often involved behind the scenes, they rarely put their names on campaign paperwork. Schwartz listed his home address on NW 16th street as well as his campaign email, “votejayschwartz@gmail.com.”
Five days later, the wife of Commissioner Jay Schwartz filed paperwork with the State of Florida creating a new business entity–Blue Skies Management Group, Inc. Stacey Schwartz is listed as the president of this new corporation located at the Schwartz home on NW 16th Street in Pembroke Pines.
According to Pembroke Pines election reports, the Tringo campaign paid Blue Skies Management Group for consulting work. On April 6, 2017, the Tringo campaign made a $1,500 payment to Blue Skies Management Group. On September 1, 2017, Blue Skies Management Group received a $800 payment from the Tringo campaign.
Each payment incorrectly lists “Blue Skies Management Group LLC” as the recipient instead of Blue Skies Management Group Inc. In most campaigns, the treasurer is responsible for properly recording payments and filing campaign treasurer reports.
In addition to his wife making $2,300 off the Tringo campaign, Commissioner Jay Schwartz has aggressively promoted the campaign on social media. Pembroke Pines records show Schwartz spent $100 to promote a Tringo fundraiser in June 2017.
Also, Commissioner Jay Schwartz is the sole endorsement listed on the Tringo website.
We wanted to know why Commissioner Jay Schwartz had no issue profiting from the campaign against his fellow commissioner.
Specifically, we asked Commissioner Jay Schwartz if he believed it was proper that a family member profited from a campaign against a fellow commissioner especially when he holds an official role in that same campaign.
REDBROWARD will update story if Commissioner Jay Schwartz responds.
