A political committee, funded in part by a controversial real estate developer, paid a $5,000 consultant fee to the mother of Lauderhill Mayor Denise Grant, campaign records show. According to official State records, the Lauderhill Unity PC was created in May 2024. One month later, the committee received $30,000 in contributions from Lauderhill Mall Investment LLC.
As REDBROWARD previously reported, Lauderhill Mall Investment LLC is owned by Yoram Izhak of North Miami. In 2004, the U.S. Justice Department charged him with racketeering with “The Cuban Mafia.” The Feds alleged Izhak was a “money launderer” for “The Corporation,” an organized crime mafia involved in drug trafficking and murder. Izhak would plead guilty to tax evasion and the more serious charges against him were dropped. Izhak, a real estate investor, owns numerous properties across south Florida including the Lauderhill Mall.
Izhak’s convictions on tax evasion, and an unrelated gun charge, hurt his ability to do business with local governments across South Florida.
In 2014, the Miami Dade County Commission approved a $3 million dollar grant to Izhak to refurbish a strip mall near Liberty City. According to the Miami New Times, “The county commission unanimously approved the deal without discussion January 24, though the plan’s original sponsor, Jean Monestime, pulled his name and withheld his vote at the last minute when the Miami-Dade ethics commission ruled he had a conflict of interest.” Montesime, a County Commission, leased office space from Izhak.
One month later, the Miami Dade County Commission rescinded the grant after negative publicity.
In June 2017, the Fort Myers City Council agreed to have Izhak build a police substation on one of his properties. Two months later, the City Council terminated the agreement after learning about Izhak’s convictions. “We basically distanced ourselves,” Acting City Attorney Terry Cramer said. “We didn’t want to be involved.”
THE GRANT “SLATE”
Last month, REDBROWARD revealed Izhak made numerous large contributions to Denise Grant and her “slate” for the Lauderhill Commission.
In August 2024, three companies owned by Yoram Izhak made contributions totaling $30,000 to the Broward Vision PAC. As REDBROWARD previously reported, Broward Vision PAC is chaired by Trace Robinson, a close associate of Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton. Also, Broward Vision raises money for Bolton’s Key To The Region Gala.
In Lauderhill, Commissioner Denise Grant, a Bolton ally, ran for mayor. According to her official campaign reports, Grant received twenty-one $1,000 contributions from twenty-one separate corporate entities owned by Yoram Izhak.
Newly elected Lauderhill Commissioner John Hodgson reported three $1,000 contributions from three different companies owned by Izhak. This includes a $1,000 contribution from Lauderhill Mall Investment LLC.
Lauderhill Commissioner Richard Campbell reported 25 contributions tied to Yoram Izhak.
Grant, Campbell and Hodgson appeared on phony voter guides sent to Lauderhill voters.
All three candidates won their elections. Grant was sworn in as Mayor two weeks ago.
Why was Yoram Izhak so interested in Lauderhill politics?
LAUDERHILL MALL MAKEOVER
In late October, published reports detailed Yorma Izhak’s IMC Equity Group plans to build a “mixed-use” project on the southern portion of the Lauderhill Mall property. The project would consist of three apartment buildings. In order for the project to move forward, IMC needs a special exemption from the Lauderhill City Commission.
The three apartment buildings would be just one part of a massive new complex.
According to one report, “plans are underway to transform unused space into a mixed-use project featuring 233 apartments and over 14,000 square feet of commercial space. The proposed five-story building will include ground-floor commercial units and a total of 56 apartments while an eight-story building will house a clubhouse and additional amenities along with another set of residential units totaling up to122 one- or two-bedroom apartments. A third five-story building will complete the project with an additional 55 apartment units.”
Portions of the mall would be demolished and a bus depot would be moved, the South Florida Business Journal reported.
LAUDERHILL UNITY
On August 21, 2024, the Lauderhill Unity PC reported a $5,000 payment to Paulette Thomas of Lauderhill. According to State campaign records, Lauderhill Unity paid Thomas for “consulting” fees. According to City of Lauderhill campaign records, Paulette Thomas Davy is a nurse.
Why is a Lauderhill nurse serving as a consultant to a political committee?
Paulette Thomas Davy is the mother of Mayor Denise Grant.
At her swearing ceremony last month, Denise Grant thanked her mother by name. In 2014, Grant and her mother were partners in corporation called “Tea Time With Denise Talk Show.”
REDBROWARD wanted to Mayor Denise Grant why a PAC funded by a developer would hire her mother. In a brief telephone conversation, Grant confirmed Paulette Thomas Davy is her mother. Grant said she would review the matter and respond by email.
Grant did not respond by our publication deadline.
