Feds Claimed North Miami Real Estate Developer Was Money Launderer For “Cuban Mafia,”Now He Is Funding PAC Tied To Marlon Bolton And A Slate Of Lauderhill Commission Candidates
The U.S. Justice Department charged him with racketeering with “The Cuban Mafia,” now, Yoram Izhak is funding a political committee tied to Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton and a slate of City of Lauderhill Commission candidates, campaign records show. In 2004, 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, caused problems with his attempts to do business with local governments.
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One month later, the Miami Dade County Commission rescinded the grant after negative publicity.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 September 2014, WPLG Channel 10 Miami reported on Yoram Izhak’s contributions to a political committee supporting then-Broward Sheriff Scott Israel. When reporter Bob Norman tried to interview Izhak outside his North Miami office, his bodyguard grabbed the television camera to prevent it.
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.”
While Izhak’s criminal history caused some officials to reject ties to him or his companies, Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton and Lauderhill Commissioner Denise Grant do not seem troubled.
“The Wolf Pack”
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 Marlon Bolton. Also, Broward Vision raises money for Bolton’s Key To The Region Gala.
In Lauderhill, Commissioner Denise Grant, a Bolton ally, is running 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.
John Hodgson, a candidate for Lauderhill Commission reports 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 appear on phony voter guides sent to Lauderhill voters.
Last week, REDBROWARD revealed Marlon Bolton’s ties to the Our Blue Democracy guides sent to voters in Sunrise and Tamarac. The Sun-Sentinel called the guides “deceptive.”
The guides in Lauderhill use the same format as the Sunrise and Tamarac guides. A picture of Commissioner Denise Grant is featured alongside photos of Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Governor Tim Walz. The guide claims it was produced by the defunct Our Blue Democracy political committee.
A second guide claims to be the Lauderhill Democratic Voters Guide from the Black Vote Broward PAC. This guide features photos of Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, Denise Grant, Richard Campbell, John Hodgson, Ray Martin, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
In 2022, REDBROWARD revealed Black Vote Broward, a Federal political action committee, used images of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, former President Barack Obama and even Martin Luther King, Jr. to fool Broward voters. Federal records show Yolanda Brown created The Black Vote Broward May 18, 2022.
In 2014, Yoram Izhak told the Daily Business Review he was done doing business with local governments. “The Miami-Dade [controversy] was all political,” Izhak said. “We’re now doing investments without any help from government. We’re not using any more government money or county money, and honestly we’re happier.”
Ten years later, Izhak is back making big contributions to Broward politicians.
Will these politicians say no to Izhak like Miami-Dade and Fort Myers?
Does Denise Grant and Co. wonder why Yoram Izhak is so generous with his support?
Was money from Yoram Izhak used to produce phony voter guides?
Voters deserve answers.
Voters will have the final say on November 5th.
