Private investigator accused of illegally putting GPS trackers on officials' cars

HALLANDALE BEACH State prosecutors have charged private investigator Victor Elbeze with illegally using GPS trackers to follow two city commissioners and a local candidate during last year’s Hallandale Beach election.

Elbeze, a French national who lives in Hollywood, plans to plead not guilty and will be arraigned on Nov. 20, said his attorney, Bruce Lyons.

Through his attorney, Elbeze declined to comment.

In October 2016, Commissioner Keith London found a GPS tracker on his car just two weeks before the city’s election. Similar tracking devices were found on cars owned by Commissioner Michele Lazarow and then-candidate Anabelle Taub, who later won office.

Under state law, it is illegal to install a tracking device on anyone’s vehicle without a court order.

London reported it to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, prompting the yearlong investigation. Agents eventually found Elbeze’s fingerprints on one of the trackers.

If convicted of the second-degree misdemeanor, he could face up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Taub says she would like to know who hired Elbeze to install the trackers.

“Nothing about makes me happy,” she “It’s dirty.”

A year ago, London, Lazarow and Taub accused Mayor Joy Cooper and other political rivals of spying on them. In response, Cooper questioned whether this said. they planted the trackers on their own cars as a political stunt.

On Monday, Cooper said she did not know Elbeze and had no involvement in the case.

London says he plans attend the arraignment.

“This guy is just a pawn,” London said Monday. “We’d like to know who directed this person to conduct illegal surveillance. He certainly didn’t do it on his own.” to

sbryan@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4554