Tag Archives: palm card

Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton Made $35,000 In-kind Contribution To Political Committee Run By Workers At His Church

A corporation owned Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton made a $34,687 in-kind contribution to a political committee operated by members of his church, State campaign records show. The State of Florida defines an in-kind contribution as, “anything of value except money made for the purpose of influencing the results of an election.” On August 23, 2022, the Residents United PAC recorded a $34,687 in-kind contribution by Forecast Holdings LLC for “advertising/consulting.”

State corporation records show Forecast Holdings LLC is owned and managed by Marlon Bolton.

As REDBROWARD previously reported, on April 12, 2019, Carl Williams formed the “Residents United PAC” using P.O. Box 246164 in Pembroke Pines as its address. This address has been used several times by Bolton associates. REDBROWARD reported how North Lauderdale Commissioner Regina Martin, a Bolton ally, paid $6,500 to Mojo Global Holdings of Lauderhill.

State records show Carl K. Williams is the managing member of Mojo Global Holdings. The State records list P.O. Box 246164 in Pembroke Pines as the mailing address for Mojo Global Holdings.

State records list Carl Williams and the P.O. Box 246164 on the business records for New Convenant Ministeries International-Miami Florida. While the post office box is listed as its mailing address, since 2017, corporate records show the principal address of New Convenant Ministeries International-Miami Florida as 1625 S. State Road 7 in North Lauderdale.

Since 2015, the storefront at 1625 S. State Road 7 in North Lauderdale has been the principal address for Praise Experience Worldwide Outreach Church. This church is owned by Marlon Bolton.

On April 12, 2019, Carl Williams created the “Go Tamarac Go PAC” using the P.O. Box 246164 mailing address. The only money listed in the Go Tamarac Go reports is a $1,750 contribution by the PAC’s treasurer Malucci Joseph. Tamarac campaign records show Joseph made contributions to Marlon Bolton’s campaign.

Also on April 12, 2019, Carl Williams formed the “Residents United PAC” using the P.O. Box 246164 address. On July 31, 2020, Residents United PAC received a $7,500 contribution from Exy Consultants at P.O. Box 451711 in Fort Lauderdale (another address used by Bolton) and a $1,000 contribution from Malucci Joseph. The other eight contributions to Residents United PAC were made by Forecast Holdings LLC. The company’s eight contributions to Residents United PAC total $53,847.78 including a check for $5,000.

WHY $34,687 IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION?

Some Broward political insiders wonder if Bolton’s huge in-kind contribution to Residents United PAC is related to the shady palm cards and mailers distributed during the August 2022 primary.

In July, REDBROWARD revealed the new “Broward County Voter Guide” ties to Marlon Bolton.

The “Broward County Voters Guide” came courtesy of “Our Blue Democracy” a Federal PAC located in Tallahassee. Featuring pictures of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the guide endorsed Bolton mentor Dale Holness over incumbent Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus McCormick.

OUR BLUE BROWARD

Last February, REDBROWARD exposed the deep ties between Our Blue Democracy and Marlon Bolton.

During the November 2020 election, some Broward residents received the “Our Florida Democracy” voters guide. The guide is still available on the Our Blue Broward website. The guide states it was produced by the Our Blue Democracy political committee located at 1563 Capital Circle S.E. address in Tallahassee.

The guide endorsed most of the Democrat candidates on the 2020 ballot. But a few candidates received special notice including pictures alongside Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. In addition to being pictured with the Presidential nominee, these special candidates received their own sections on the guide.

Who were these candidates?

Marlon Bolton, former Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness, the late Congressman Alcee Hastings, and North Lauderdale Commissioner Regina Martin.

Federal records show Our Blue Democracy was formed in September 2020 by its treasurer Malucci Joseph. Our Blue Democracy used the same address and telephone number as the Conservative Converance PAC operated by Malucci Joseph.

REDBROWARD revealed Malucci Joseph, a singer and active participant at services held at Marlon Bolton’s Praise Experience Worldwide Outreach church in North Lauderdale is tied to other political committees which support Bolton or his allies. These include Go Tamarac Go PAC and Residents United PAC.

Federal campaign reports show a September 18, 2020 contribution of $5,000 by Malucci Joseph. Four days later, Our Blue Democracy paid $3,309.34 to Minuteman Press of Coral Springs for mailing services and $900 to Xpress Color of Lauderdale Lakes for printing services. These are the same companies used by Residents United PAC, Conservative Governance PAC and Go Tamarac Go PAC.

REDBROWARD wanted to ask Broward resident Malucci Joseph why she opened so many Tallahassee based political committees.

This reporter called the Tallahassee telephone number listed for both committees: (850) 220-7853.

But Malucci Joseph did not answer the phone.

MARLON BOLTON ANSWERS REDBROWARD PHONE CALL

“Hello?” Marlon Bolton said.

“Marlon?”

“Who’s this?” Bolton said.

This reporter identified himself and the publication and asked Bolton why he was answering a telephone number listed for two Tallahassee based political committees.

“Tom Lauder, I don’t consider you a real reporter?”

We stated that’s his opinion and asked what his role is with the Conservative Governance PAC, the Our Blue Democracy guide and the Our Blue Broward website. 

Bolton said, “Tom Lauder, do you have any other questions, not related to these PACs?”

We asked Bolton if he had recently hired an attorney. 

“Tom Lauder, do you have any other questions?”

We asked if he had been interviewed by any Federal, State or local law enforcement agents. 

“Goodbye, Tom Lauder,” Bolton said.

In January, Our Blue Democracy reported a $500 payment to Happy Feet Advertising LLC. REDBROWARD has exposed Marlon Bolton’s ties to the Margate advertising firm.

In March, The Federal Elections Commission (FEC) advised Our Blue Democracy it was being terminated.

Did the 2022 Our Blue Democracy card cost $34,687 to produce and mail?

Did Marlon Bolton’ Forecast Holdings LLC really pay $34,687 to produce the card?

Did anyone hire Forecast Holdings LLC to produce the card?

Broward voters deserve answers, right?

Why Did Broward Republican Party Leaders Fail To Endorse Republican Women For Judge? Twice!

Last August, the board members of the Broward Republican Executive Committee (BREC) issued endorsements of candidates in the primary election. Unlike the Broward Democrats, BREC leaders decided to endorse candidates in the non-partisan races for Broward judge. The BREC board includes Chairman George Moraitis, Vice Chair Celeste Ellich, Secretary Rupert Tarsey, Treasurer Kevin Moot, State Committee Woman Michele Merrell and State Committeeman Richard DeNapoli.

In the three-person race for Broward County Court Judge Group 9, the BREC Board endorsed Tanner Channing Demmery over Leonore Greller and Corey Amanda Cawthon. In the November runoff, the BREC Board once again endorsed Demmery over Cawthon.

In October, Javier Manjarres of the Shark Tank wondered why the BREC leadership decided to endorse Demmery, a Democrat public defender over Corey Cawthon, a registered Republican.

Manjarres wrote, “This is disgraceful for Republicans, but is an expected move from the embattled misfit group of Republicans who supposedly represent all Broward Republicans.”

In a statement to Manjarres, Chairman George Moraitis, “affirmed the decision, stating that the decision was made to endorse after ‘the attorneys’ recommended it. Moraitis did not say who the attorneys were.”

The only attorneys on the BREC Board are Moraitis, Moot and DeNapoli.

DEFENSIVE DEMMERY DENIES “PAY FOR PLAY

REDBROWARD caught up with Tanner Demmery last month at the early voting location in Coral Springs.

As REDBROWARD reported, Tanner Demmery faced questions over his endorsement by the A Better Florida For All political committee. The committee strongly supported Democrat gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum. With close ties to controversial Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness, the committee also endorsed local African-American candidates for judge. Local insiders were shocked to find Demmery listed on the “Diversity” slate for judges.

Buddy Nevins at Broward Beat reported the four non-partisan judicial candidates appearing on the A Better Florida For All card were Haccord James Curry, Stefanie Camille Moon, Jackie Powell and Tanner Channing Demmery.

“Partisan appeals judicial candidates’ ads are forbidden by the Florida Supreme Court Code of Judicial Conduct. Joint advertising by judicial candidates is also prohibited,” Nevins wrote.

When REDBROWARD caught up with him at the Northwest Regional Library in Coral Springs, Demmery cried “harassment” when asked about his appearance on the partisan card from the A Better Florida For All political committee. Demmery even asked a woman to call the police.

Demmery said, “I don’t pay anyone to be on endorsement cards.” When asked about the BREC endorsement, Demmery’s answers were not as clear cut. He claimed he was on the card because “people support me.”

When asked if he met with Rupert Tarsey, Demmery said, “I don’t even know who Rupert Tarsey is.”

When asked about his contact with Richard DeNapoli, Demmery denied meeting with anyone but would not answer when asked if he talked to him or any other BREC leader. “I never paid to be on any of these cards,” Demmery said.

Demmery was badly beaten by Corey Cawthon.

https://youtu.be/DNBIzGe4t8A

2016 FIGHT OVER ENDORSEMENT LEADS TO LACK OF PALM CARDS

The controversy over the Demmery pick is not the first time endorsement drama enveloped the BREC Board. In 2016, BREC failed to include Judge Nina DiPietro on its list of endorsements. Her husband, David DiPietro was former legal counsel for BREC.

After some prominent Republicans complained about DiPietro’s exclusion, BREC was forced to print new endorsement cards. Buddy Nevins of Browardbeat.com “was also told that the board of directors of the local GOP were split over whether to redo the cards, which will be distributed to select voters. A number of directors opposed changing the list to include Judge Di Pietro.”

What was the real story behind the DiPietro mess?

According to former BREC Chairman Robert Sutton, one particular BREC Board member did not want Judge Nina DiPietro the palm card.

“Richard DeNapoli said he did not want Nina DiPietro to get the BREC endorsement,” Sutton told REDBROWARD.

In an October 2016 e-mail to REDBROWARD, DeNapoli included the endorsement card without DiPietro. He said it was available on the party Facebook page. DeNapoli wrote, “This was the finalized guide as decided by the Board and amendments voted upon by the BREC members at the September meeting.”

Sutton said party leaders in Tallahassee were extremely angry over the slight and the cards were reprinted.

Did DeNapoli let his dislike of David DiPietro interfere with BREC business? In his 2014 failed race for the Florida House, DeNapoli was angered when DiPietro held a fundraiser for his opponent.

Did DeNapoli’s personal feelings influence his endorsement of Democrat Tanner Channing Demmery?

BREC members deserve answers, right?