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Local
Exotic Dancer Says Misinformation Has Ruined Her Career And Reputation
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Last year, Elsie Branton witnessed an altercation involving a friend. Since she stepped forward, she says she’s been publicly accused of being HIV positive.
“It’s not true, and can be easily proven. I was told the police got that in- formation from a prior arrest, and I still say it’s not true.
“My reputation was destroyed be- cause of this lie, and I think I deserve to be compensated for having my life ru- ined and being threatened. I haven’t been able to work for the past 4 months.”
Branton said texted messages have been sent out all over the country saying she is HIV positive.
“I’m an exotic dancer, and a story like this is something you don’t get a sec- ond chance to straighten out in this in- dustry.
“They tend to not allow you to per- form if it’s been suggested you have a health issue. They don’t care if it’s proven or not. Just accusing someone of this is enough to be blackballed out of the industry.”
Branton said she’s hired an attor- ney to help her get her reputation back, but she’s angry that it came to this.
“I shouldn’t be in a position of de- fending myself against something that’s a flat out lie.
ELSIE BRANTON
Branton said she wants to find out where police got that information, and why was it put into a report without any proof.
Attorney Carl Hayes, who is rep- resenting Branton, said the police through the state released information about his client that wasn’t true.
“Ms. Branton is not HIV positive. She gets tested annually, and just re- cently had a test and it came back clean.
“She knows how this rumor got started in the first place, and it all started with her witnessing an incident, then testifying as a witness.”
Atty. Hayes said as part of the dis- covery package, the defendant in the in- cident got information that Branton was HIV positive.
“Although it’s not true, it’s hard to unring a bell. I have a lot of empathy for Ms. Branton, and I want to go on record as saying the information about my client is not true.”
Robles Resident Council Gears Up For Summer
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Robles Park Resident Council Presi- dent, Reva Iman, said everyone is over- joyed with the changes that have taken place at the public housing complex, and can’t wait for the summer to get started.
Iman said on June 24th, Cigna Health will be conducting free testing at their Council Building, 3518 North Avon. A mobile unit will be at the complex, and a gift card will be given to the first 25 people, even if they don’t live in public housing.
“We have a summer enrichment pro- gram for youth that will begin June 27th and will be held from 12 noon until 4 p. m.
“We’ll be talking to the kids about proper dieting, physical fitness, and other things they need to know. A differ- ent professional will come out each Sat- urday. At the end of the summer, we will be giving away a bicycle.”
Iman said they are also happy to an- nounce that they will be known in the fu- ture as the Robles Park Tenant Council Association, Incorporated when they get their 501-3C status.
“We’re going to have a contest to have our logo designed by the youth. We’re doing everything we can to make sure our youth stay active and safe dur- ing the summer by giving them a lot of activities.
“There are other programs we’re still trying to develop and we also want to
REVA IMAN
create services to help parents, especially the ones who can’t afford to send their kids to summer camp.”
Iman invites everyone to come to Robles and join them on Saturdays when Van Dyke Church comes to host their summer program.
“We’ve also started the process to elect a new vice president. We’ve met with the past vice-president, Steve Lee, and told him about the process.
“We want Mr. Lee to know that he’s still a part of the Robles Park commu- nity, and we will always invite him to work with us.”
Iman also said, to put a stop to all the rumors, no one from North Boule- vard Homes has moved into Robles Park yet, but they do expect that to change.
“We’ve been told all of the vacant units are being held for those residents in case they do want to move over to Robles.”
New contact numbers of the Resident Council are (813) 609-4957, or (813) 609-4958.
FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-B