Preacher’s fiery rage melts down meeting
The town known for its nasty politics had another meltdown meeting Monday even after electing a new mayor who vowed to keep things civil.
But the current elected officials — including newly elected Mayor Joy Adams and Vice Mayor Sabrina Javellana — were not the ones full of fire and fury.
This time, it was Anthony Sanders, a preacher who quit the Hallandale Beach commission in Au-
gust 2017 amid accusations of financial misconduct.
On Monday night, city leaders debated whether to pay Sanders nearly $20,000 in travel expenses and health benefits accrued from his last several months on the commission.
In the end, Adams, Javellana and Commissioner Anabelle Lima-Taub agreed to the payout. Commissioners Michele Lazarow and Mike Butler voted no.
In protesting the payout, Lazarow pointed to a yearlong investigation by the Broward Inspector General that found Sanders had used his position as an elected official to award nearly $1 million to a nonprofit that made payments of $38,700 to his family and the church he founded.
A pastor at Higher Vision Ministries, Sanders voted on and approved the payouts without disclosing his conflicts to the commission. He also failed to file forms disclosing his connection to the church.
In September, he agreed to pay a $5,000 fine to settle the case.
On Monday, Adams chastised Lazarow for bringing up the investigation and accused her of trying to “embarrass” Sanders.
“This is not about disparaging someone,” Lazarow said in an even tone. “This is about being a watchdog and standing up for the taxpayers.”
Adams invited Sanders, who was standing near a wall, to speak.
Sanders blasted Lazarow and the Inspector General’s Office.
“What I admitted to was not signing a financial disclosure form,” he said in an angry, raised voice. “That’s it! One thing I’ve never done is stole. I don’t lie, I don’t steal and I don’t cheat.”
Fuming, Sanders continued to speak in a loud voice until Lazarow questioned why he was yelling at her. Three times, Adams asked him to lower his voice.
“I’m a preacher I can’t help but raise my voice,” he said.
When done speaking, Sanders walked to the back of the room.
He stood over lobbyist Evan Ross yelling, then sat down next to him and repeatedly pointed his finger at Ross, nearly touching him.
Police intervened without prompting from the mayor and escorted Sanders from the room. He later returned and took a seat next to Ross until the meeting adjourned.
“I think his intent was to threaten and intimidate me,” Ross told the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Wednesday. “I hope that the mayor will be true to her commitment that she isn’t going to tolerate that kind of behavior. In the future, I would hope and expect that she would not allow anyone to act like that without asking the police to escort them out.”