Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton instructed North Lauderdale Commissioner Regina Martin how to vote on agenda items and urged her to use an encrypted messaging app, text messages obtained by REDBROWARD show. The text messages were sent between Bolton and Martin in early 2021. The messages cover agenda items dealing with local ordinances, contracts and even reporting by REDBROWARD.

On Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 5:04PM, Marlon Bolton texted Regina Martin about an item on the agenda for that evening’s North Lauderdale Commission meeting. Bolton wrote, “Commissioner, item 9E on your agenda tonight is an item appointing one member to the Broward League of Cities board. That is a prestigious board to be on. Please call me before your meeting starts so I can brief you for 30 secs on the benefits of servicing. Extremely important.” Bolton included a link to download Signal, an encrypted messaging app.

Regina Martin replied, “Ok got it. Thank you.”

Later texts show Bolton texting instructions during the meeting. He told Martin to nominate specific commissioners and when to second a motion.

The Signal app is well-known for disappearing messages—messages that vanish shortly after being read by the recipient.

Why is Marlon Bolton telling another city’s commissioner how to vote on agenda items?

Why is Marlon Bolton using an encrypted messaging app to chat with politicians?

REDBROWARD asked Marlon Bolton to comment. As of publication, he has not responded.

NEXT: Bolton and Martin complain about REDBROWARD coverage.