CORRUPTION LOOMS AT TAMARAC CITY HALL: Tamarac Commissioner Elvin Villalobos faces Public Corruption Probe, Part 1
Tamarac Commissioner Elvin Villalobos is at the center of a public corruption probe. The probe alleges Villalobos illegally obtained a city vehicle worth over $32,490.25 using taxpayer funds. The SUV was purchased for Villalobos’ personal use, following his opting out of the controversial car allowance.
Public records show Villalobos requested the car despite it not being part of the city’s budget. City staff arbitrarily changed a policy to allow for Villalobos’ request. City staff originally said any member of the Commission could drive the car, calling it a “pooled vehicle,” but later walked back those claims after a legal opinion revealed that Commission members could not “double dip,” meaning, they could not receive a $700 monthly car allowance, while having the use of a City vehicle. Staff eventually confessed that the vehicle was for Villalobos to drive.
When Villalobos said he would opt out of the controversial car allowance, residents applauded, some calling him a hero. Little did they know it was a “bait and switch.” Villalobos quickly requested a car, “Can I sign for my car tomorrow?” Villalobos asks City Staff in a message. Subsequently, Villalobos signed for the car and off he went!
During a commission meeting, Villalobos said he didn’t take the car allowance because Tamarac is 12 square miles, “we don’t drive as much” he said. But with a few months left on his term, it is considered wasteful spending to request a car worth more than $32,000 while Tamarac residents cannot make ends meet.
As a general point of clarification, Commissioner Marlon Bolton raised questions about who would maintain pool vehicles, pay for insurance and accidents, and cover fuel or charging costs, and towing costs during a budget meeting on Thursday, June 20th. During the meeting, the City Manager confirmed Villalobos had illegally received the car and said that Staff should not have provided the car to him. Villalobos left the meeting abruptly and returned when the meeting adjourned.
The move has sparked public outcry, with many questioning Villalobos’ motives and the legality of the purchase. City staff attempted to address the issue during the budget workshop, “Does anyone want to entertain adding Car benefits for the commission?” the City Manager asked, but no commission member agreed to add car purchases to the list of benefits.
Villalobos tend to lie to residents that certain Commission members only ‘make these things up,’ so, we are providing the public with his wet signature acknowledgement of the vehicle, and the purchase order.
The Florida Commission on Ethics should investigate the matter. This corruption probe has left many wondering about the transparency and accountability at Tamarac City Hall. What did the city do with the Car? Is Villalobos still driving it? Tamarac Residents deserve to know, right?
