‘Your Services Are No Longer Required’: Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton Loses $85K Job With County

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Broward County Commissioner informed Tamarac City Commissioner Marlon Bolton on October 30 that his “services are no longer required.”

Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton has been let go from his second job working for Broward County Commissioner Hazelle Rogers, who said the controversial politician’s “services are no longer required,” according to the county.

Bolton, a county commission aide who worked as Rogers’s communications director, was hired by Rogers on January 30, 2023. His last day of employment will be November 13, 2024, county officials said.

Bolton’s current county salary is $85,800, which is government money on top of the more than $53,000 in taxpayer dollars he earns annually as a city commissioner.

In an Oct. 30, 2024 letter obtained by Tamarac Talk Friday, Rogers informed Bolton he was losing his county job.

“As you are aware, you are currently employed in a position that is “At Will,” and you serve solely at the pleasure of the County,” Rogers wrote. “Please be advised that your services are no longer required, and you are hereby separated from Broward County employment, effective November 13, 2024.”

Until that date, “you will work from an alternate location and may be assigned administrative tasks and to assist with transitional issues,” the county commissioner wrote. “Please arrange for the return of any County property assigned to you (i.e., keys, employee I.D., etc.).

“Broward County wishes you the best of luck in your future endeavors.”

Bolton originally had to resign from Rogers’ staff because his job had not been publicly advertised, but he was quickly rehired.

Word of Bolton losing his job comes just days ahead of the Nov. 5 election, in which he’s squaring off against challenger Viola Watson for the District 1 Tamarac commission seat. He was originally elected in 2016 and reelected in 2020.

Rogers and her top staffers did not respond to an email about Bolton’s loss of employment. Bolton also did not respond to a request for comment.

“As for the reason [for Bolton’s employment ending], we are advised by the Commissioner that his services were no longer required,” Gregory Q. Meyer, assistant director of Broward County’s Office of Public Communications, said in an email. Commission Separation - Bolton 10-29-24

Bolton, the pastor at North Lauderdale’s Praise Experience Church, has long fueled controversy with his attacks on political opponents, questions over the sources of his income and campaign donations, and other actions scrutinized by the press and some city residents.

Earlier this month, Bolton was involved in a dust-up over his political signs when a Tamarac city employee and local union member volunteering for Watson’s campaign removed several of Bolton’s campaign advertisements.

Bolton followed the man home in a pickup truck and directly phoned Tamarac’s top law enforcement officer, BSO Captain Jemeriah Cooper, to report the incidents as Bolton drove behind the man’s vehicle.

The man, Tamarac street crew supervisor Michael Morrison, said Bolton later walked up his driveway and tried to intimidate him and his family.

Last week, Bolton political ally Mike Gelin allegedly grabbed Tamarac City Commissioner Elvin Villalobos around his neck outside a Tamarac early-voting site, Villalobos said. BSO is investigating the alleged battery.

The numerous controversies Bolton has endured over his eight-year political career include allegations he bullied city employees, created multiple business entities and PACs used to disguise campaign donations, and launched a fake news website called Tamarac Post.

The site, which contains glowing praise of Bolton, routinely criticizes his political rivals and detractors. It has previously been accused of using antisemitic imagery and spreading disinformation in its attacks on Tamarac Mayor Michelle Gomez.

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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.