Broward County Court records reveal that American Express is suing Tamarac Commissioner Elvin Villalobos for an amount not exceeding $50,000. The 52-page lawsuit alleges that Villalobos has ignored his responsibility for several months.
Court records indicate that Villalobos has been struggling with significant financial issues, personally and through his business. He was evicted from his Kings Point real estate office and campaign records show he has used his campaign account for expenses, including gas, car washes, and meals at Chick-fil-A.
More concerning is the alleged use of taxpayer resources for personal expenses, including visits to liquor stores, gas stations, and doctor’s offices, city records show. This has raised questions about Villalobos’ ability to manage the city’s multi-million dollar budget and make decisions free from corruption.
As an elected official, Villalobos is not required to be wealthy, but his financial struggles raise concerns about potential bribery and corruption. This is particularly worrisome given the history of corruption in Tamarac, including the arrest of former Commissioner Patte Atkins Grad and former City Manager Michael Cernech.
Former Commissioner Patte Atkins Grad was arrested for allegedly accepting a car as a bribe, and former City Manager Michael Cernech is awaiting trial for his involvement in attempting to extort 3.4 million dollars from a Florida Developer, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Mayor Michelle Gomez was the only one to publicly defend Cernech’s Job. Not surprising, Gomez is named in the complaint.
“The defendant conspired with convicted felons, using his position of authority to relay false information to the highest levels of city government to further this multimillion-dollar extortion scheme—disgraceful. My Statewide Prosecutors, working with FDLE investigators, have exposed the corruption and now the defendant and his co-conspirators will have to answer for their crimes,” Attorney General Ashley Moody said.
Records also show embattled Commissioner Elvin Villalobos no longer resides in his registered Tamarac home. The American Express complaint lists his business address as a residential home in Naples.
This is not the first time Villalobos has faced financial difficulties. Villalobos previously filed for bankruptcy.
The lawsuit and Villalobos’ history of financial woes have led to questions about his fitness to serve as a commissioner and handle the city’s budget. As a Commissioner, Villalobos is responsible for making financial decisions that impact the city and its residents.
Tamarac residents deserve transparency and accountability from its elected officials. Villalobos’ financial issues and lack of payment to American Express have raised concerns about his ability to make responsible financial decisions on behalf of the city.
The city commission should take steps to address these concerns and ensure that Villalobos is held accountable for his actions. The community deserves to know that their elected officials are capable of managing the city’s finances effectively and making decisions that benefit the community, not just themselves.
