News Release On Arrest of Sylvia Poitier
| MICHAEL J. SATZ
STATE ATTORNEY SEVENTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA BROWARD COUNTY COURTHOUSE 201 S.E. SIXTH STREET FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33301-3360 |
April 13, 2011
Arrest Warrant Issued for Deerfield Beach Commissioner
The Broward State Attorney’s Office and Broward Sheriff’s Office has obtained a warrant for the arrest of Deerfield Beach City Commissioner Sylvia Poitier on five counts of falsifying public records.
The charges allege that Poitier did not properly disclose a conflict-of-interest she had between the city of Deerfield Beach and the non-profit Westside Deerfield Businessmen Association (‘WDBA’) that handles federal low-income housing funds for the city.
Poitier worked for the WDBA before her 2005 election to the commission and still serves as a volunteer. Her daughter, Felicia, was vice president and now serves as the WDBA president.
Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives determined Sylvia Poitier solicited her brother, Lionel Ferguson, on behalf of the WDBA, to lend $46,024 in order to purchase tax certificates on seven delinquent properties owned by the WDBA. Lionel Ferguson was to receive 10 percent interest on his investment from the WDBA loan.
According to the arrest affidavit, Commissioner Poitier failed to properly disclose to her fellow commissioner’s and the public that a financial relationship existed between the WDBA and Lionel Ferguson. This disclosure should have taken place, and the proper paperwork filed, each time the WDBA was a topic to be voted on by the city of Deerfield Beach Commission. If an official believes they have a conflict, they must file a formal notice, known as a ‘Form 8B’, pursuant to Florida Statute 112.3143, with the City Clerk. Investigators found Poitier did not disclose the conflict nor include the conflict on the paperwork she filed.
Broward County Court Judge Bernard Bober signed an arrest warrant for Poitier on Monday, April 11. She was scheduled to surrender at the Broward County Jail on Wednesday, April 13.
Poitier’s five charges fall under Florida’s “Falsifying Records Statute 839.13, which is a first-degree misdemeanor. Each count is punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and 364 days in the Broward County Jail.
Ron Ishoy, Communications Manager
(954) 831-7910
April 13th, 2011 at 11:38 am
This is due to all the investigative work that Chaz Stevens has been doing for awhile on this. Mug Shot Please!
April 13th, 2011 at 11:52 am
Chaz Stevens strikes again.
April 13th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
That Chaz Stevens is a real serious douchebag.
I am Chaz Stevens and I approve this message.
April 13th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Chaz Stevens should be the State Attorney.
Michael J. Satz is a do nothing old man.
April 15th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
I THINK CHAZ SHOULD HAVE A GET TOGETHER AT BAJA SO WE CAN ALL BUY HIM A DRINK!