The Broward Inspector General is now investigating the City of Tamarac for a shady real estate purchase. Will the City turn over everything the IG demanded?
We doubt it because Tamarac’s Attorney is Hans Ottinot.
Last week, the Office of Inspector General sent a letter to the City Clerk of Tamarac requesting everything related to the sale and purchase of Shaker Village.
As reported in Tamarac Talk, “Carol I. Breece, Inspector General, has sent a firm request to the City of Tamarac, demanding transparency and comprehensive details about the controversial purchase of Shaker Village Clubhouse and land.” It was due Thursday, July 27, 2023.
We can only hope the city responded, yet we are skeptical. Why? Because when Hans Ottinot was rehired (yes, he used to work for the City of Tamarac but was fired for incompetence in 2021), he put in place a procedure where he reviews all records requests and decides what is released and what is not.
Do we really think he will give the Inspector General self-incriminating evidence? Will he make sure Vice-Mayor Marlon Bolton is protected? Or, as is more likely, will those documents mysteriously disappear or not be found? Will there be very few records? Will phone calls disappear? Will there be scant records at all?
And we know just how honest Ottinot is, don’t we? At the last Tamarac Commission meeting on July 12th, Commissioner Morey Wright (who, by the way, is a staunch supporter of Ottinot as are Commissioners Kicia Daniel and Bolton) tried his best to bolster the reputation of Hans Ottinot by questioning how long he has been an attorney, what type of work he has done, what type of municipalities he has worked for (mysteriously absent from Ottinot’s response was that he worked for North Miami beach… I wonder why…). After his “modest and humble” answers (which we know were insincere), there was this exchange:
Commissioner Wright: I see no complaints on your Bar record, no complaints.
Ottinot: Thank God, in this business you get complaints all the time but I’ve been able to stay clear of any Bar complaints
The truth is that Mr. Ottinot has had multiple Bar complaints filed against him. In fact, he submitted written responses to more than one Bar complaint, so he can’t claim ignorance. But we can call it what it is — dishonesty.
Wait, isn’t honesty a prerequisite for the Florida Bar??? Just saying.
There is a difference between not having any Bar complaints filed against you and a finding of guilt with regard to a complaint. Mr. Ottinot made no such distinction and therefore lied to the Commission. He has had at least three Bar complaints filed against him that I am personally aware of.
A July 30, 2023 VotersOpinion article, “Start popping! Duke sued North Miami Beach, and it promises to be a blockbuster!” blogger Stephanie Kienzle, wrote, “Duke’s most hilarious claim is outlined in paragraphs 24 through 32, where he ‘takes credit’ for saving ex-City “Attorney” Hans Ottinot from being ‘improperly’ terminated.”
Saving him? That’s rich. But it didn’t last because NMB Commissioners had the upper hand.
Unfortunately for us in Tamarac, we are now stuck with Hans Ottinot. To be honest, he came here when he knew his time was short in North Miami Beach, and he was voted in by Commissioners Bolton, Daniel, and Wright on December 14th 2022 in a backhanded way.
When the agenda item was brought up at the December 14, 2022 commission meeting (around midnight, no less), Bolton moved to hire Hans Ottinot effective immediately, and Bolton was able to secure the votes since he how holds the majority on the Commission.
There was no time for the Mayor or others to present evidence for their concern with hiring Mr. Ottinot again after he was previously fired since no advanced information was given regarding the agenda item.
In addition to not being able to provide evidence against his rehire, the process violated Florida Statute 284.0114(2) regarding fraudulent conduct, as follows:
(2) Members of the public shall be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard on a proposition before a board or commission … and BEFORE the meeting at which the board or commission takes the official action.
Accordingly, the public was not given a reasonable opportunity to be heard. However, it became apparent that Commissioner Bolton had already discussed this matter with the other two Commissioners, Daniel and Wright, although they deny this.
It was also apparent that Commissioner Bolton had prearranged Ottinot’s appointment because he publicly stated at that December 14th meeting that Hans Ottinot was prepared to assume duties as City Attorney at 12 noon that same day. Obviously, Commissioner Bolton had already sought his legal counsel and advice in order to proceed with his hiring.
Did Mr. Ottinot not know the relevant Florida Statute regarding the public’s right to be heard, or the proper procedures of a municipal vote? If not, this certainly brings into question his competence to hold the position of municipal attorney.
If Mr. Ottinot was familiar with the law, did he conspire with Commissioner Bolton to ignore the statute, which constitutes fraudulent conduct, or at least a devious intent to secure for himself a position for which he is paid a minimum of $50,000 per month, not including additional billable hours? Mr. Ottinot knew or should have been familiar with the statute and advised that it be handled properly in accordance with the law. Either way, he was either incompetent or fraudulent.
All that being said, we are left with an incompetent City Attorney who works at the behest of one Commissioner. Sound familiar, NMB?
So back to our main question, will the Broward Inspector General get everything she asks for? Will she receive all of the emails, phone calls, records, negotiation information, the list is extensive and it was all due by last Thursday.
Highly unlikely, so we wait with baited breath – and popcorn!
Dr. Kate A. Johnson, LMHC, is a Doctor of Ministry with a Masters in Counseling Psychology, and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor
We can only hope.
Every commission meeting we have to listen to Marlon Bolton spew his slanted and self serving opinions. His lack of respect for the Mayor is palpable. His rudeness toward fellow commissioner Villalobos is disgusting.
The Shaker Village deal is a blatant conflict of interest that Bolton pushed thru with his sidekicks, Wright and Daniels.
Bolton lives in Shaker Village. He claims not to own his residence there but rents it from the church that he is the pastor.
This deal will make all the taxpayers of Tamarac responsible to purchase the land that the clubhouse is on, knock down the remnants of their clubhouse and put up a cockamamie public building that will supposedly act as the Shaker Village clubhouse.
Also, Shaker Village received $450,000 in insurance money and didn’t use one penny to rebuild or repair their property. Why should this fall on all the taxpayers of Tamarac ? I can answer that!!!!
Because the dilapidated clubhouse can be seen from Commercial Blvd. That’s why!!
That’s one helluva reason to stick a whole city with this responsibility.
Bolton should never been allowed to discuss this as it’s an obvious conflict of interest.
It’s as clear as day that this is a conflict of interest, and that Bolton is abusing his position by personally benefiting from public funds.
This is a clear violation of Paragraph 3 Misuse of Public Position, of the Florida Code of Ethics, and specifically Sec. 112.313(6), Fla. Stat., which states, “Public officers and employees, and local government attorneys are prohibited from corruptly using or attempting to use their official positions or the resources thereof to obtain a special privilege or benefit for themselves or others.”
I urge you and/or other Tamarac residents to file a Complaint with the Florida Ethics Commission against Bolton, citing this violation. I’ll be more than happy to help you file this Complaint. Shoot me an email at stephanie.kienzle@gmail.com, and I’ll give you all the assistance you need.