On Wednesday, Mayor Anthony DeFillipo, a Democrat from North Miami Beach, was arrested and charged with three felony counts of illegal voting. Reports state that DeFillipo allegedly voted in a North Miami Beach district despite not living in the area anymore. If found guilty, he could face a five-year prison sentence, $5,000 in fines, and five years probation for each count.

During an afternoon news conference, Katherine Fernandez Rundle, the State Attorney for the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida, shared information about the three felony charges filed against DeFillipo. Rundle said, “We believe the evidence shows DeFillipo voted illegally on three separate occasions.”

According to Rundle, DeFillipo voted in August, October, and November 2022 for a district he no longer lived in. This happened even though he had moved from Miami-Dade to Davie. By using cell phone data, it was discovered that DeFillipo was in Miami-Dade on those voting days before he went to cast his ballot.

“We in law enforcement take actions which violate our election laws very seriously. They are crimes. Today, we are charging Anthony DeFillipo, the present Mayor ⁦North Miami Beach, with 3 counts of Unqualified Voters Willfully Voting, 3rd degree felonies,” said Kathy Rundle.

We in law enforcement take actions which violate our election laws very seriously. They are crimes. Today, we are charging Anthony DeFillipo, the present Mayor ⁦@NorthMiamiBeach⁩, with 3 counts of Unqualified Voters Willfully Voting, 3rd degree felonies. pic.twitter.com/pUICntyegS

— Kathy Rundle (@KathyFndzRundle) May 31, 2023

Florida Politics reported:

Records show DeFillipo was booked just before noon Wednesday at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $5,000 bond.

The Democratic Mayor has faced allegations in recent months that he does not live in North Miami Beach, a requirement for elected city officials, and instead resides in a $1.2 million Davie home he and his wife bought in July 2022.

DeFillipo has repeatedly denied the allegation he doesn’t live in North Miami Beach, insisting he’s been estranged from his family due to “marital issues” and resides in a rented, one-bedroom condo within the city’s bounds.

He also admitted to being president of the homeowners association governing his Davie property, a post he resigned from on Jan. 19.

Two days before he stepped down from the HOA, DeFillipo tried unsuccessfully to change the city charter to reduce the Commission quorum after three City Commissioners — Fleurimond, Daniela Jean and Michael Joseph — refused to recognize him as Mayor, saying he’d broken city rules, and began boycotting meetings.

The turmoil this month trailed other instances of unrest at City Hall, including the March 16 resignation of City Attorney Hans Ottinot, who complained he and his firm been targets of “unfair political attacks because of our adherence to the law,” and a 6-1 vote six days later to fire then-City Manager Arthur Sorey III without cause.