The Democratic mayor of North Beach Miami in Florida faces 15 years in prison after being arrested and accused of voter fraud.

Wednesday saw the arrest of Miami Beach’s mayor, Anthony DeFillipo. Three counts of voter deception have been filed against him. Each of the alleged crimes of the third degree entails a maximum prison term of five years.

Six months prior to his arrest, the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics & Public Trust received a complaint alleging that DeFillipo resided in the Broward County municipality of Davie. According to the city charter of North Miami Beach, elected officials must reside in the city.

DeFillipo admitted that he owned a property in Davie, Florida, but claimed that he only used it as a family residence due to marital problems at the time. He stated he lives on his North Miami Beach property. According to the public records, DeFillipo possesses two properties in Davie.

According to Broward County property documents, DeFillipo and his wife purchased a six-bedroom home in the Sierra Ranches neighborhood of Davie for $1,226,500 in July 2022. He admitted that he is a member of the homeowners association council for the Davie community.

According to an investigation into DeFillipo, the Democratic mayor relocated to Davie.

According to Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, DeFillipo was accused of traveling from Davie to North Miami Beach in order to vote in three consecutive elections in August, October, and November 2022. Rundle asserted that her agency used mobile phone data to establish that DeFillipo departed his Davie home, went to a North Miami Beach precinct to vote, and then returned to his Davie home.

“We believe the evidence shows (DeFillipo) voted illegally three times,” Rundle declared.

Rundle said, “Our voting laws apply to everyone. There are no unwritten exceptions.”

DeFilippo has provided a response refuting the allegations of voter fraud. Michael Pizzi, DeFillipo’s attorney, stated that he believes his client was arrested for political motives.

More on this story via The Republic Brief:

“The mayor has explained over and over again, and under oath, he always intended to and always lived in North Miami Beach,” Pizzi said. “We look forward to a speedy exoneration.” CONTINUE READING…