As the City of Lauderhill mayoral election approaches, frontrunner Denise Grant has found herself at the center of controversy, facing what appear to be politically motivated attacks. These allegations, which centered around a minor legal matter involving the use of a city vehicle, were resolved and closed more than six months ago. However, the issue has resurfaced just days before the election, which her attorney states, is an attempt to undermine her campaign.
The allegations claim that Grant misused a city vehicle for personal reasons, but after a thorough investigation by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, she was cleared of any wrongdoing. Initially reluctant to respond, Grant has now spoken out about the matter.
“I faced allegations regarding my use of a city vehicle during my campaign for Mayor of Lauderhill. However, the state attorney investigated the matter and ultimately cleared me of any wrongdoing, closing the case. I believe these allegations were a politically motivated attack aimed at tarnishing my reputation and undermining my candidacy,” said Grant.
Despite the resurfacing of these claims, Grant says that she remains focused on her campaign and the issues that matter to Lauderhill residents.
“Lauderhill deserves leadership that is dedicated to excellence and committed to building a brighter future. My accomplishments reflect these values, and I am proud to have the support of our residents. Unfortunately, my opponents have resorted to spreading falsehoods and engaging in smear tactics. But I am confident that the community knows who I am and the work I’ve done. Let’s vote for integrity and commitment to our community,” Grant added.
The investigation, led by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and later the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, was thorough. FDLE gathered documents, interviewed several witnesses, and received a voluntary statement from Commissioner Grant, who cooperated fully and even gave her statement without legal representation. After reviewing the case, the Broward County State Attorney’s Office recused itself, assigning the investigation to the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Public Corruption Unit.
In the end, after a comprehensive review of the evidence, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office concluded the case, deciding not to file any criminal charges.
“The timing of these allegations being reignited is political theater as Election Day is just around the corner, and the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office closed this case back in April 2024,” said Eric Schwartzreich, Grant’s attorney.
A memo from the State Attorney’s office, further emphasized that the City of Lauderhill lacked an official process or documentation regarding the use of city vehicles by commissioners. Without key evidence, such as mileage logs or city-specific markings on the vehicle, the state could not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
For these reasons, the State Attorney’s Office formally closed the case, and no charges was filed.
