Lawrence Smith obit

Former Congressman Larry Smith dies at 85 

He was not on the list.

Former U.S. Rep. Larry Smith of Hollywood, seen as “Florida’s go-to guy” during 10 years in Congress before his political career ended in scandal, has died at 85.

Smith died on Wednesday, said his son, Grant Smith.

“So many people lost a trusted and loyal friend, and the community lost a man who served and cared deeply about its success,” Grant Smith wrote on Facebook. “Everything he did, whether representing a client or a constituent, was deeply personal to him. His successes were public, but regrettably, so were his failures. … To the end, he was plotting for a better America and teaching us life lessons.”

Smith was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives five times, serving from 1983 to 1993. His district included much of southern and eastern Broward County, and extended into Miami-Dade County.

He was “Florida’s go-to-guy,” U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland said during a 2014 event in Broward County. At the time Hoyer was the No. 2 Democrat in the U.S. House.

Smith served on the Foreign Affairs Committee, where he was an advocate for Israel. His son said work on foreign affairs and Israel “became his calling” in life.

And, his son said, “He was proudly Jewish. He supported Jewish causes and was a fierce proponent and defender of Israel.”

Smith also kept an eye on local priorities, including securing federal funding for a large berm at the south side of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to help reduce the impact of airport noise on nearby residents of Dania Beach.

Smith opted not to run for reelection in 1992, after he was caught up in a major scandal of the era. Members of Congress, including Smith, bounced scores of checks at the House Bank.

The following year, Smith pleaded guilty to felony charges of income tax evasion and making a false statement to the Federal Election Commission in connection with his misuse of campaign funds.

He admitted that he failed to pay taxes on more than $100,000 of income. He also admitted that he lied to the Federal Election Commission about his use of $10,000 in campaign funds, some of which was used to pay gambling debts at a casino in the Bahamas, according to news accounts.

Smith’s attorney at the time said his client’s troubles were “a result of the financial pressures of public service” and that Smith “never misused his public office.”

Smith served a three-month sentence at a minimum security prison camp in Miami-Dade County and paid a $5,000 fine.

Later, he used his knowledge of government and politics to work as a lobbyist, including representing local governments in Broward County before other levels of government.

In the 1970s, Smith was chairman of the Hollywood Planning and Zoning Board, then spent four years as a member of the Florida House of Representatives, before he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982.

Smith was also a delegate to seven Democratic national conventions.

Lawrence Jack Smith was born in Brooklyn to Martin and Myra Smith on April 25, 1941. After receiving a law degree from Brooklyn Law School he practiced in New York before following his parents and moving to Florida.

In addition to his son, Grant Smith of Fort Lauderdale; Smith is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sheila (Cohen) Smith; a daughter, Lauren Failla of Hollywood; a sister, Ellen Russo of Sunrise, and three grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Temple Solel, 5100 Sheridan St. in Hollywood. Internment follows immediately at Beth David Memorial Gardens (Levitt Weinstein), 3201 N. 72nd Ave. in Hollywood.