Name: Secret money shakes up Broward State Attorney race. And even billionaire George Soros has pitched in.
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Secret money shakes up Broward State Attorney race. And even billionaire George Soros has pitched in.

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Secret and not-so-secret donors are pouring thousands in campaign cash to the candidates who want to be Broward’s next top prosecutor, shaking up the Democratic primary in its crucial final days. , and four of them are being helped by political action committees — fundraising groups that can accept larger donations than individual campaigns and can make it more challenging to find out where the money is coming from. Advertisement The PACs are not allowed to coordinate directly with campaigns, but they can boost candidates by praising their public stands and attacking their opponents. In a race with eight candidates, where it’s unlikely any will emerge with more than 50 percent of the vote on Tuesday, the boost may still be enough to influence the outcome, even after taking early voting and mail-in ballots into account. The PAC supporting Sarahnell Murphy, the candidate backed by outgoing State Attorney Mike Satz, sent out a mailer criticizing two of her opponents: Joe Kimok, for calling for the decriminalization of marijuana, heroin and crack and prostitution; and Joshua Rydell, for representing “wife beaters, stalkers, armed robbers and more.” Advertisement The criticism of Rydell drew a sharp rebuke from other lawyers who say a criminal defense lawyer doing his job should not be denounced as if he’s advocating for the crimes. “This inflammatory, derogatory attack on criminal defense lawyers for protecting the rights of the accused is baseless, offensive and exactly why we do not need Sarahnell Murphy as the next” state attorney, said State Rep. Michael Gottlieb, a defense lawyer backing Rydell. “Anyone who appreciates the Constitution knows that we as criminal defense lawyers are doing our job, ensuring the state does theirs correctly.” The ad does not mention Murphy, but it is paid for by Victims Have Rights, which according to state records has two major donors, the candidate, who contributed $10,000 in March, and International Payout Systems, also known as I-Payout, a Fort Lauderdale company that contributed $80,000 between June 24 and July 29. Another donor, Integrated Data Technology, also contributed $30,000 on July 29 — the company lists the same address as I-Payout and the same CEO: Edwin Gonzalez. Gonzalez gave $1,000 to Murphy’s campaign. A decade ago, I-Payout was named in a criminal complaint against an accused Ponzi schemer. A few years later, the company was among more than a dozen defendants named in a federal lawsuit accusing a second company of running a Ponzi scheme. In both cases, the company was not charged with any criminal activity. The lawsuit is ongoing, but I-Payout was able to get some allegations dismissed, according to court records. Calls to Murphy and Gonzalez were not returned. Foyt Ralston, the Tallahassee lobbyist listed as chairman of Victims Have Rights, said I-Payout’s donations were welcome but would not buy any influence with the committee or the candidate. “I’ve never talked to anyone at that company, and they will have no say in how it’s spent.” Murphy’s opponents say the unanswered questions about the PAC money should make voters wary. “Sarahnell Murphy owes an explanation to the public on why a company cited in a federal criminal complaint for aiding an international Ponzi scheme is spending $110,000 to get her elected,” said Rydell. “The fact that she will not respond to the press about this important question speaks volumes.” Murphy isn’t the only candidate being helped by a PAC. Rydell has one, Equal Justice, that has raised nearly $72,000, from two dozen sources, mostly from lawyers. The largest donation, $20,000, came in early June from an insurance company. The biggest beneficiary of PAC money, by far, is Kimok. In the last three weeks, the Florida Justice &amp; Public Safety PAC has raised more than $750,000 for his effort. And he is quick to reveal the source of the money. “George Soros,” Kimok said Friday. “We, like many candidates, have run a campaign unapologetically seeking to dismantle the system of mass incarceration. We want to encourage a new understanding of law enforcement and prosecution.” Advertisement The donations came soon after Vermont Senator . Soros, a billionaire philanthropist, is well known for his support of progressive, liberal causes and candidates. Right wing pundits routinely criticize him as a deep pocket for the left, and Kimok has been targeted with some social media criticism for benefiting from Soros’ money. But Kimok sees it differently. Twice-weekly A lunch-hour look at what's trending in Florida politics. You are now following this newsletter. “We welcome the help,” Kimok said. “He’s supporting what we’ve been fighting for, not asking us to change to accommodate his beliefs.” A fourth candidate, Harold Pryor, is also benefiting from a PAC, but Broward United hasn’t raised nearly as much money as the others — $8,100 as of Aug. 14. “The money coming in could be a good thing and it could be a bad thing,” Pryor said. “You just hope that it’s used for good. The mailers, the TV ads, you just have no idea what effect it’s going to have, and we won’t know until Aug. 18 at 7 p.m.” The other candidates in the race are attorneys David Cannady, Teresa Fanning Williams, James “Jimmy Stewart” Lewis and Justin McCormack. The winner of the primary will face independent candidate Sheila Alu and Republican Gregg Rossman in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement

Secret and not-so-secret donors are pouring thousands in campaign cash to the candidates who want to be Broward’s next top prosecutor, shaking up the Democratic primary in its crucial final days. , and four of them are being helped by political action committees — fundraising groups that can accept larger donations than individual campaigns and can make it more challenging to find out where the money is coming from. Advertisement The PACs are not allowed to coordinate directly with campaigns, but they can boost candidates by praising their public stands and attacking their opponents. In a...

Secret money shakes up Broward State Attorney race. And even billionaire George Soros has pitched in.

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