A longtime associate of Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton pushed the controversial Shaker Village clubhouse deal at a residents only meeting and the city commission meeting last week. While Shaker Village resident Marlon Bolton skipped the residents only meeting last Saturday, Carl K. Williams urged them to accept the $1.9 million dollar deal from the City. The details of this meeting were first reported by Tamarac Talk.

Described as “chaotic and loud,” Tamarac Talk reported on the concerns Shaker Village residents regarding the deal to buy the dilapidated clubhouse. While some residents wondered about the community’s debt, others worried about the legality of the deal itself.

Following the approval of the deal in July by Bolton and allies Morey Wright and Kicia Daniel, the Office of the Broward Inspector General opened an investigation into the matter. The OIG asked for specific documents related to the involvement of Bolton and city attorney Hans Ottinot in crafting the deal.

Tamarac Talk reported one resident rose to assuage the fears of Shaker Village residents.

KICK GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH

According to Tamarac Talk, this lone resident claimed the $1.9 million dollar bailout was their only solution. “This is a way we get our house in order. This is an absolute embarrassment to the city. We have to own it,” said one resident who would identify himself only as Carl. “You don’t kick a gift horse in the mouth.”

“Carl” refused to provide further comment to Tamarac Talk.

The Tamarac Talk reporter confirmed to REDBROWARD that “Carl” also spoke at Wednesday’s City Commission in support of the Shaker Village deal.

In accordance with City rules, Mayor Michelle Gomez asked Carl to provide his last name.

“Williams,” he said.

“WHO’S THE REAL VILLAIN HERE?”

In his two minute speech to Commissioners on Wednesday, Williams did not use his “gift horse” analogy. Instead, of urging passage of the clubhouse deal, Williams gave an awkward defense of Marlon Bolton’s role in crafting this controversial multi-million dollar deal.

“Renters cannot participate in community votes. We heard countless times tonight that Commissioner Bolton is a renter,” Williams said. “Therefore, he would have no say in who sits on the [Shaker Village Homeowners Association] board [and] which decisions the association makes.”

Williams went on to attack Mayor Michele Gomez and Commissioner Elvin Villalobos for opposing the clubhouse deal.

“Who’s the real villain here,” Williams asked.

FLUNKY

As previously reported by REDBROWARD, Carl Williams played an integral role at Marlon Bolton’s church, political committees tied to Marlon Bolton and political campaigns linked to Marlon Bolton.

In April 2021, REDBROWARD exposed Carl Williams’ role in political campaigns of Bolton allies.

Several political committees formed by business associates of Marlon Bolton were funded by Bolton campaign donors, records show. In 2020, Trace Robinson created the Broward Vision PAC political committee using the same post office box address used by businesses owned by Bolton. Florida business records list Marlon Bolton and Trace Robinson as owners of The Driven Project, Praise Experience Worldwide Outreach Church, and South Florida Theological Seminary, Inc. The companies also use the same post office box. Robinson is the founder of Happy Feet Advertising.

Marlon Bolton has refused to answer question regarding his ties to Happy Feet Advertising.

REDBROWARD revealed Happy Feet Advertising performed extensive campaign work for the then newly-elected North Lauderdale Commissioner Regina Martin.

In addition to paying Happy Feet Advertising, Regina Martin paid $6,500 to Mojo Global Holdings of Lauderhill.

REDBROWARD exposed the ties between Mojo Global Holdings and Marlon Bolton.

State records show Carl K. Williams is the managing member of the company. 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.

Also on April 12, 2019, Carl Williams formed the “Residents United PAC” using the P.O. Box 246164 address.

WILLIAMS WORKED AT BOLTON CHURCH

In the days following our April 2021 story, REDBROWARD exposed further ties between Bolton and Williams. REDBROWARD shared promotional videos from Marlon Bolton’s Praise Experience Worldwide Outreach Church. These videos show Carl Williams as an active participant in church sermons. In one video, Williams touts youth programs in a testimonial advertisement. In a second video, Williams is spotted numerous times catching fainting women who have been “touched” by the Rev. Bolton.

A maskless Bolton is shown face to face with churchgoers while laying his hands on their hands. Bolton sings and screams in their faces until they faint. Williams is there to prevent the faithful from injuring themselves.

WILLIAMS HELPS ANOTHER PAC TIED TO BOLTON

In August 2022, REDBROWARD exposed Carl Williams’ role in yet another political committee tied to Marlon Bolton.

A corporation owned Marlon Bolton made a $34,687 in-kind contribution to a political committee operated by Carl Williams, State campaign records showed. 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.”

At the time, Broward political insiders wondered if Bolton’s huge in-kind contribution to Residents United PAC was related to the shady palm cards and mailers distributed during the August 2022 primary.

In July 2022, 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.

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.

These candidates included 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.

Instead, Marlon Bolton answered the telephone.

He refused to answer our questions.

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

In January 2022, Our Blue Democracy reported a $500 payment to Happy Feet Advertising LLC.

In March 2022, The Federal Elections Commission (FEC) advised Our Blue Democracy it was being terminated.

While Marlon Bolton tries to distance himself from the controversial Shaker Village deal, Carl Williams’ involvement appears to show Bolton’s continued attempts to influence residents and lawmakers.

On Wednesday night, REDBROWARD attempted to ask Carl Williams about his role in the Shaker Village matter. Williams refused to answer any questions. Instead, he made a crude remark and walked away.

The clubhouse deal was placed on hold for ninety days following a legal challenge by a Shaker Village resident.