William E Lewis host of “The Credit Report with Bill Lewis”on AM 740 WSBR in South Florida was arrested for domestic violence on Tuesday for allegedly attempting to strangle his wife. What many radio fans as well as Sheriff Al Lamberti did not know was that Lewis also has an extensive criminal background including an 11 year prison sentence.
Lewis, who holds an associates degree from an online University has a “Money Show” on WSBR AM 740 where he discusses credit issues with caller and frequently uses airtime to promote Republican and Tea party candidates.
Frequent guests of his show include: House Candidate, James Gleason, Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti, Broward Republican Chairman Richard DeNapoli, Republican Party Executive Director Rico Petrocelli, Broward State Attorney Candidate Jim Lewis and Congressional District 22 candidate Adam Hasner. Lewis also had Facebook get-togethers with local politicians at one of his advertisers, Wings Plus of Coral Springs.
Lewis was also the “Voice” of Sheriff Al Lamberti, frequently updating Al Lamberti’s Facebook pages and posing as the Sheriff to unsuspecting friends who believed they were talking to the real Sheriff. According to the SunSentinel, Lamberti said he hadn’t known about his consultant’s past and wouldn’t have hired his company if he had.
“What a beautiful evening to go surfing. One Bacardi and Coke to go please. Don’t forget the lime..” – William Lewis from Key West after fleeing town for allegedly strangling his wife.
According to NBC Miami, what conspired on August 23 is as follows: Jennifer Lewis told deputies they were having a verbal argument when he “grabbed her neck from behind squeezing his hands around her neck.” She began to struggle and was able to break free before it affected her breathing. Lewis then grabbed his wife’s cell phone to stop her from calling 911. When she ran out of the home to call 911, he followed her, stating “If you call, you know what will happen,” the affidavit said.
Jennifer Lewis also told police that two years ago, Lewis sprayed her whole body with Lysol during an argument and hit her in the face with the Lysol can, requiring a trip to the hospital and stitches.
Lewis fled to Key West where he posted on his Facebook page, “What a beautiful evening to go surfing. One Bacardi and Coke to go please. Don’t forget the lime..”
He eventually turned himself in on Tuesday.
According to Eric Linder, Assistant State Attorney, Lewis has a criminal history: In 1988 there were three separate cases where he obtained property with a worthless check on a felony count and grand theft. In 1991 he was charged with a federal crime for conspiracy to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute and the use of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. His sentence was reduced to 132 months in federal prison or 11 years.
At the bond hearing, Jennifer Lewis told the judge, “First of all I hope we can have a reduced bond as low as possible and I would like him released on his own recognizance. It’s important, especially having three very small children who’ve asked about daddy every moment of the day that he come home.”
She said she wanted him to go home with her and she was not afraid of him.
The judge released him on $5,000 bond for both counts and recommended that he have no contact with his wife except by telephone.