Investigations growing in Hallandale Beach

Three city commissioners now face inquiries

HALLANDALE BEACH — The political turmoil snaking through City Hall has ensnared two more of Hallandale’s five commissioners.

Commissioners Keith London and Michele Lazarow are under investigation by the Broward State Attorney’s Office for possible violations of the state’s Sunshine Law, agency spokesman Ron Ishoy said thisweek.

Prosecutors are looking into a complaint sent to their office by Mayor Joy Cooper over the summer.

“They are breaching the Sunshine Law, and this is not something new,” Cooper told the Sun Sentinel. “It is a disgrace. And at least, finally, someone is looking into it.”

Before the start of Wednesday’s commission meeting, London gave the Sun Sentinel a statement accusing the mayor — his longtime nemesis — of making false allegations and playing political games.

“I intend to speak to the state attorney as soon as possible so that they can close their inquiry in the false allegations made by themayor,” Lon-

don’s statement said.

Lazarow declined to comment, referring questions to her attorney, Brian Silber.

“Commissioner Lazarow is an outstanding member of the Hallandale commission and has done a lot of good for her community,” Silber said. “She denies any wrongdoing and looks forward to the opportunity to challenge these allegations.”

In a letter dated July 6, Cooper accuses her two political rivals of breaking the state lawthat prohibits public officials from privately discussing matters that will come before them. Cooper claims Lazarow knew which item London wanted pulled from the agenda during a City Hall meeting April 18.

“It ismy understanding that commissioners/ board members are not to discuss items that will become before them,” Cooper wrote. “It is obvious and was heard by those seated next to Board Member Lazarow she had first-hand knowledge of what item Board Member London was going to pull.”

London and Lazarow are not the only Hallandale Beach commissioners under criminal investigation. Commissioner Bill Julian has been under investigation since Aug. 26. The State Attorney’s Office confirmed the investigation just three days after WPLG-Ch. 10 aired a report stating Julian had been caught on audiotape saying he might have taken favors from a developer.

Julian has told the Sun Sentinel he will be vindicated, but has declined further comment.

His 92-year-old mother, Elsie Julian, died just a few hours before Wednesday’s commission meeting, so hewas not present.

Julian and Lazarow are seeking re-election Nov. 8.

Julian has one opponent, real estate broker Anabelle Taub. Lazarow is facing two challengers, former commissioner Alex Lewy and retiree Ann Henigson.

Lewy confronted Lazarow with news of the investigation Tuesday during candidate interviews with the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board.

Lazarow was taken aback, saying she knew nothing about an investigation.

Cooper, an ally of Julian’s, told the Sun Sentinel in late August that she was meeting with prosecutors in reference to London and Lazarow, but would not disclose specifics at the time.

Lewy said Cooper told him about the investigation aweek ago.

“This is clearly disturbing,” Lewy said late Tuesday. “[London and Lazarow] are constantly communicating and going into the back room together.”

At least one resident thinks both inquiries are related to the city’s upcoming election.

“It’s politics in Hallandale,” said Bob Selz, a regular at City Hall. “I’m not surprised. So much of all this is just hearsay. We’ll see what the investigation says.”

Sam Kaplan, a resident since 1980, agreed.

“It’s just politics,” he said. “That’s all it is.”

“They are breaching the Sunshine Law, and this is not something new. It is a disgrace. And at least, finally, someone is looking into it.”

Mayor Joy Cooper