Tag Archives: whistleblower

Sources: Inappropriate Touching Of School District Employee By Broward School Member Used In “Whisper Campaign” To Benefit Outgoing Superintendent Vickie Cartwright

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Outgoing Broward School Superintendent Vickie Cartwright used an employee complaint of inappropriate touching by a School Board Member in a “whisper campaign” to save her job, multiple sources tell REDBROWARD. Following a December 13, 2022 where Cartwright was “unfired,” newly-elected School Board Member Allen Zeman allegedly smacked the buttocks of a school district employee. The contact was not wanted or expected. The next day, the employee reported the incident to Vickie Cartwright. REDBROWARD is not naming the employee involved in this incident.

One Board Member told REDBROWARD they observed Zeman inappropriately touching the employee. Another Board Member confirmed the incident happened.

In late January 2023, Board Member Allen Zeman filed a motion seeking the firing of Cartwright. According to a third School Board member, it was around this time when a “whisper campaign” divulging the Zeman incident began at Broward Schools headquarters in Fort Lauderdale. This Board Member believes Cartwright also misused this information in her severance negotiations with the District.

Last week, Cartwright and her attorneys held public separation negotiations with School Board Chair Lori Alhadeff and district lawyers. Cartwright and her team repeatedly alluded to alleged misbehavior by Board Members. Team Cartwright even mentioned filing of whistleblower suits with Tallahassee agencies. Yesterday, Sun-Sentinel education reporter Scott Travis asked if Cartwright was using these accusations to her advantage.

On Twitter, Travis wrote, “Is the point of whistleblower protection to report problems or get extra money? @suptvcartwright’s lawyers alleged unethical behavior (not in writing) involving board members. But she agreed not to bring those forward w/ proper settlement. A $365k package will be voted on Tues.”

REDBROWARD asked Allen Zeman to comment on the matter. As of publication, Zeman had not responded.

This incident and Cartwright’s handling of the matter has been the worst kept in Broward. On Tuesday, the Broward School Board will vote whether to approve a $365K deal with Vickie Cartwright.

Cartwright allegedly withheld important information from a serious employee complaint and allegedly used that information to her own advantage.

Board Members must demand answers from Cartwright before deploying her $1,000 a day golden parachute, no?

Denise Horland Joins Hunt For Whistleblower(s) Who Leaked HR Investigation Of Plantation Councilman Nick Sortal

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Denise Horland Joins Nick Sortal

Denise Appleby Horland is trying to unmask the whistleblower who revealed a City of Plantation Human Resources Department investigation of Councilman Nick Sortal, records show. On June 13, 2022 REDBROWARD revealed a longtime female City employee accused Sortal of making inappropriate sexual and racial comments to her while he was conducting official business inside City Hall. An official memorandum showed Sortal admitted to making remarks about his erect penis as well as expressing satisfaction that “Plantation will never have a black mayor.”

Despite the admission, a labor attorney told City leaders they were powerless to hold Sortal accountable for his behavior. Not long after being told Sortal would face no punishment, the longtime employee left her position. Nick Sortal is currently running against popular incumbent Mayor Lynn Stoner

After the news broke about Nick Sortal’s inappropriate comments, Denise Horland remained silent. During last Wednesday’s City Council meeting, Nick Sortal admitted, for the third time, to making the remarks. Even though he told the Sun-Sentinel that reports of racial remarks were a “lie,” Sortal said his racial remarks about a black mayor were just a “tone deaf” attempt at sarcasm. Instead of a lie, Sortal told residents it was a joke.

Denise Horland remained silent.

Instead of being angry over the treatment of a female employee or the lack accountability of a sitting elected official, Plantation Councilwoman Denise Horland wants to know who made Nick Sortal’s dirty laundry public.

Two days after Nick Sortal made his third admission to making the inappropriate sexual and racial comments, Denise Horland filed a public records request with the City of Plantation clerk.

Horland wrote, “I would like to know the name of any person’s who either requested or were sent a copy of the file memorandum which details what transpired between Councilmember Sortal and Ms. [REDACTED].”

“I would also like to know the dates of the requests received and the dates the memo was shared/sent,” Horland wrote.

Horland knows the facts of the investigation. She was sitting next to Nick Sortal Wednesday night when he admitted everything to the public.

So why does Denise Horland wants names and dates of who let the public know about this injustice?

REDBROWARD asked Denise Horland. She did not respond to our request for comment.

Normally, politicians want to know who leaked embarrassing information so they can “plug the hole” or intimidate other whistleblowers from going public.

Since our story broke, prominent Sortal supporters on social media have sought out the identities of the whistleblowers.

Why is Denise Horland sticking her neck out for Nick Sortal?

Is she showing loyalty to a fellow Democrat?

Are their shared donors and campaign advisers urging Denise Horland to defend Nick Sortal?

Doesn’t Denise Horland owe a duty to City employees to defend them from attacks and inappropriate comments by City leaders?

Is this duty overshadowed by politics?

Denise Horland is on the ballot this November.

City of Plantation voters deserve answers, no?

Denise Horland Wants Names & Dates