At multiple city meetings in West Park, they have ended with elected leaders talking over each other, and then the mayor suddenly ends the meeting.
Read more 2 South Florida men sentenced in $34.8M health care fraud conspiracy, DOJ says
Commissioner Katrina Touchstone sued Mayor Felicia Brunson, City Manager Ajibola Balogun and City Clerk Alexandra Grant, alleging the trio was working together to stop commissioners from voting on agenda items.
”My response will be that I’m presiding officer and there are things that I can do as presiding officer, and it has nothing to do with anyone personally, but we have to be about getting the business of this city done,” Mayor Brunson said.
That lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed by Touchstone’s attorneys last week.
Mayor Brunson said it cost the city more than $70,000 in litigation fees, which could impact resources for residents.
Read more YouTuber Jack Doherty charged with domestic battery in Fort Lauderdale, records show
“We have an amphitheater coming up back here, we have a senior program,” Brunson said. “That’s what we should be focusing on.”
And now, a new lawsuit has been filed by Touchstone.
“There’s a lot of things that are happening as far as challenges to our democracy and to the laws and rules of governance of our city,” Touchstone said. “There’s charter violations that are going on. I have alleged that there is corruption.”
Mayor Brunson said she will not comment on new litigation as that will be worked through the judicial system, but does say she hopes city leaders can put their disagreements aside and focus on the needs of the city.
Read more Fighting fraud: The Cuban man who turned his criminal past into a tool against crime