Y
oram Izhak, a real estate investor with a history of ties to organized crime, is now funding a political committee tied to Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton and several City of Lauderhill Commission candidates, according to campaign records. In 2004, the Feds accused Izhak of being a "money launderer" for an organized crime mafia involved in drug trafficking and murder. He pleaded guilty to tax evasion and other charges were dropped.

    Izhak's past convictions have caused problems with his business dealings with local governments. In 2014, Miami-Dade County Commission approved a $3 million grant to Izhak to refurbish a strip mall near Liberty City, but rescinded the deal after negative publicity. The following year, Fort Myers City Council agreed to let Izhak build a police substation on one of his properties, only to terminate the agreement after learning about his convictions.

    Despite this history, Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton and Lauderhill Commissioner Denise Grant seem untroubled by their ties to Izhak. In August 2024, three companies owned by Izhak contributed $30,000 to the Broward Vision PAC, which is chaired by a close associate of Bolton's. Grant, who is running for mayor in Lauderhill, received twenty-one $1,000 contributions from separate corporate entities owned by Izhak.

    Lauderhill Commissioner Richard Campbell and candidate John Hodgson also reported receiving contributions tied to Izhak. All three appear on phony voter guides sent to Lauderhill voters, which use the same format as similar guides in Sunrise and Tamarac that were previously revealed to be deceptive. The guides feature photos of Grant, Harris, and other prominent Democrats.

    Izhak told the Daily Business Review in 2014 that he was done doing business with local governments due to past controversies. However, ten years later, he is back making big contributions to Broward politicians. Voters will have the final say on November 5th.