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Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton billed taxpayers more than $2,000 for a trip to Jamaica last month, city records show — an international visit that city staff initially questioned as outside the scope of Tamarac’s travel policy.

A travel expense voucher submitted by Bolton shows the city covered $2,063.91 in costs for his July 16–19 trip to Kingston. The bulk of the expenses were for hotel accommodations at Marriott’s AC Hotel Kingston, totaling $1,072.66, along with $446.28 for airfare on JetBlue, $223.77 for chauffeured car service rides to and from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and $311.20 for a vehicle rental in Jamaica. No reimbursement was required from the commissioner.

The stated purpose of the trip was for Bolton to appear on Jamaican television and radio programs to promote Tamarac’s strategic goal of being a “vibrant community.” City messaging documents tied the appearances to programming such as FITZONE, a free exercise initiative, and the city’s “Yard on the Lawn” Caribbean heritage festival held in June.

But the trip drew scrutiny before it began. In a July 11 email to Tamarac City Attorney Hans Ottinot, Financial Services Director Christine Cajuste wrote that the request “appears to be outside the scope” of the city’s travel policy and sought a legal opinion before advancing it to the city manager’s office.

“This is for travel outside of the country,” Cajuste noted, asking whether the expenditure was permissible under city rules.

The city attorney said he’d approved the trip, allowing Bolton to travel on official business. Bolton later certified on his expense report that the costs were “actually incurred in the performance of my official duties.”

After Bolton’s trip was authorized by Ottinot and City Manager Levent Sucuoglu, Cajuste signed off on the commissioner’s travel authorization form, but added an asterisk and a note stating: “Please note that Commissioner Bolton has already exceeded his authorized budget.”

The episode raises questions about how Tamarac defines official travel — and whether taxpayer dollars should cover international promotional efforts by a commissioner. The city’s policy review, paired with the more than $2,000 in expenses for a three-night stay, highlights the unusual nature of the trip.

Bolton, who hails from Jamaica, framed the media appearances as a way to showcase Tamarac’s cultural identity and community spirit abroad, city records show. But with taxpayers footing the bill, residents are left to decide whether the trip was an appropriate use of their money.

At a city commission meeting Wednesday, Tamarac resident Kate Johnson said Bolton’s trip was part of a pattern of his using city money for his own benefit.

“What is the payoff for the citizens of Tamarac?” asked Johnson, a frequent Bolton critic. “I am sure there are communities and households here in our city who could benefit from access to those funds. Instead, you act that like this city is your private piggy bank to do with as you wish.”

“Our city is not here for your benefit,” she added. “It is not here to line your pockets or further your political power.”

In response to an inquiry from Tamarac Talk, city spokesperson Ciera Campbell shared a statement issued on behalf of the city, stating:

“The City of Tamarac is strategically expanding its horizons into international tourism and trade, leveraging events like the Yard on The Lawn Music Festival as a key vehicle. At next year’s festival, we plan to sell VIP tickets to an international audience, fostering global connections and boosting our local economy. It’s not uncommon for municipalities in our region to promote beyond our borders,” the statement reads, citing North Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale, and Broward County’s government as examples of municipalities that “actively pursue international engagement.”

“Our review confirms Commissioner Bolton’s Jamaica trip aligned with our travel policy, and it was a success,” the statement continues. “Moreover, Commissioner Bolton’s trip to Jamaica also brings the City one step closer to partnering with Sister City International in a more meaningful way. By partnering with SCI, Tamarac aims to strengthen partnerships between communities in the U.S. and other countries, promote cultural understanding and exchange, stimulate economic development and cooperation, and enhance the quality of life for its residents through global collaboration and knowledge sharing.

“With Commissioner Bolton leading the charge, we’re actively courting international brands, retail stores, and restaurants to bolster our local economy. Forming international relationships now is not only timely but effective in driving growth.”

The bill for Bolton’s Jamaica trip was not the first expense he’s passed on to taxpayers.

Under Tamarac’s ethics and reimbursement law, Sucuoglu and Ottinot approved $8,415 in payouts to Bolton in April 2024 to reimburse him for his legal fees he incurred during a state ethics investigation of his actions. According to city documents, $2,520 was paid directly to Bolton and the remaining $5,895 to his attorneys at the Meyer, Blohm and Powell law firm in Tallahassee.

Bolton incurred the fees during a state ethics investigation stemming from a resident’s complaint over the controversial Shaker Village Clubhouse deal. The Florida Commission on Ethics said it found no probable cause to believe Bolton—a Shaker Village resident—violated state ethics laws in connection with the deal.

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Kevin Deutsch

Kevin Deutsch is an award-winning journalist and author of two nonfiction books. He covers general assignment news and Jewish community issues for Talk Media. He has also worked as a staff writer at The Miami Times, the Rio Grande SUN, the New York Daily News, Newsday, The Miami Herald, The Palm Beach Post, The Riverdale Press, and Bronx Justice News.