The fingerprints of Democrat consultant Dan Lewis appear to be all over a shadowy political committee opposing the re-election of Broward Sheriff Scott Israel. Earlier this month, REDBROWARD reported Lewis met with the backers of the Citizens Over Public Safety (COPS) political committee. On April 2, REDBROWARD first reported the committee backers hoped to use “COPS” to support the campaign of Democrat James Fondo. Sources told REDBROWARD the backers discussed tactics with Lewis including the use of his controversial “blue card” mailer. The pro-Fondo forces plan use COPS to attack Israel while Fondo remains “above the fray.”
According to Broward Supervisor of Elections records, COPS was formed on February 24, 2016 by Dr Michael J. Cohen and accountant Jack Milberry. COPS mailing address is 2800 W. State Road 84, Suite 105 in Fort Lauderdale. This is the offices of Milberry & Kesselman CPA, LLC.
(According to Broward Supervisor of Elections records, James Fondo signed his paperwork for the Broward Sheriff’s race on March 16, 2016. He listed Jack Milberry as his campaign treasurer using the Milberry & Kesselman CPA, LLC address.)
Acccording to website domain records, Dan Lewis, owner of JNAC Communications and Management Services LLC, purchased domains related to the COPS political committee. The domains were registered in late February 2016. The domains include CitizensOverPublicSafety.com and CitizensOverPublicSafety.net.
Why is Democrat Dan Lewis so eager to openly challenge Sheriff Scott Israel? Lewis is known to use websites and blogs to settle political scores. Last month, REDBROWARD reported Lewis used his Broward Health blog to attack North Broward Hospital District leaders after they rejected his bid for hospital services. Did Lewis have similar issues with the Broward Sheriff’s Office?
We reached out to Lewis for comment. We will update story if he responds.
Federal campaign records show Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL) paid a company owned by Burnadette Norris-Weeks,the Broward Supervisor Of Elections Office Attorney, for her role in 2012 Democrat Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) efforts. On October 12, 2012, Hastings’ campaign made a $2,000 “GOTV Contribution” to Avenue Executive of Fort Lauderdale. State of Florida records show Burnadette Norris-Weeks has been the managing member of the Avenue of the Arts Executive Suites, LLC since 2010.
Last month, REDBROWARD exposed Norris-Weeks’ role in Congressman Hastings “non-partisan” scheme to boost African-American turnout for the 2012 Presidential election. Hastings teamed up with Rev. Al Sharpton, convicted Commissioner Joe Eggelletion and other Democrats for a get out the vote (GOTV) program dubbed “Operation: Big Vote.” Plans included a Sharpton rally in Pompano Beach and a “Souls To The Polls” march to early voting locations.
Federal campaign financial records show Alcee Hastings’ campaign gave $15,365 to Operation: Big Vote between September and November 2012.
According to Hastings and Operation: Big Vote leaders, the biggest event was the “Step Up To The Polls” march organized by Norris-Weeks and her Avenue Executive partner, Kathy Eggleston. Is this video produced by Hastings, he says Norris-Weeks is “spearheading” this GOTV event.
REDBROWARD reported how Congressman Hastings and a former South Florida Sun-Sentinel senior editorial writer touted Norris-Weeks’ 2012 rally.
In an October 2012 Westside Gazette article, Hastings wrote, “I tried to get a current list of all of the African American organizations in Broward County. Nobody, I mean nobody, is working from a list that has all the names and leaders of every organization in Broward. That’s ridiculous people.”
Hastings continued, “Enter Step Up to the Polls, the brainchild of Burnadette Norris-Weeks and her law partner. They have pulled together what I believe will be the most effective effort of an African American led effort this election season. I am following their leadership, and I encourage you to do the same.”
One week later, Sun-Sentinel Editorial Writer Douglas Lyons praised Norris Weeks’ work to get President Obama re-elected. Lyons wrote, “Even better, other black professionals and organizations have organized similar efforts. Take today’s early morning “Steps to the Polls,” a march from downtown Fort Lauderdale to one of the early voting polling sites at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center…spearheaded by prominent attorney Burnadette Norris Weeks, is just one of several last-minute attempts to rally the faithful to take advantage of early voting and tip the scales of a razor-thin race in Florida to the president’s advantage.”
Operation: Big Vote and Step Up To The Polls claimed to be non-partisan movements, but Lyons clearly was not buying their claims. Lyons’ wife was the tresurer for Norris-Weeks’ political committee known as “The Right Group.”
Congressman Hastings financial support for Norris-Weeks’ Avenue Executive continued with a $500 “sponsorship donation” in 2013 and a $500 “donation” in 2014.
Once again, Dr. Brenda Snipes needs to answer questions regarding her private contract attorney’s role in partisan politics and elections.
Did Operation: Big Vote utilize resources, data or staff for the Broward Supervisor of Elections Office?
Was Dr. Snipes aware her lawyer was conducting a march on the final day of early voting in 2012?
Did Dr. Snipes attend the “Step Up To The Polls” rally?
Did anyone else sponsor the “Step Up To The Polls” rally? An October 18, 2012 Westside Gazette story said, “For sponsorship, opportunities and more information contact Burnadette Norris-Weeks at (954) 768-9770 or send an e-mail to reservations@avenueexecutive.com.”
Broward voters deserve answers.
Burnadette Norris-Weeks marches with Alcee Hastings
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