A 72-year-old mayor from Florida reportedly faced an attack outside his home from his significantly younger ex-girlfriend, who is 34, in what seems to have been an ill-fated attempt to rekindle their relationship.
Dean Trantalis, a Democratic mayor in Fort Lauderdale, shared unsettling details during court testimony on Friday regarding the incident involving his ex, Daniel Curran.
The couple started dating in March; they even announced their engagement on social media in July, just before Trantalis filed for a domestic violence injunction against Curran in September.
Reports indicate that a confrontation occurred on November 1 outside Trantalis’ home. Allegedly, Curran pushed Trantalis, who attempted to defend himself. An arrest affidavit reportedly states that Curran subsequently grabbed him and pulled him approximately 15 feet across the street.
As a result of this clash, Trantalis sustained injuries to his wrist, knee, and leg.
Curran was arrested on Wednesday after returning to Trantalis’ home, violating a restraining order. He faced charges of aggravated assault against someone over 65 and contempt of court due to the restraining violation.
In his request for a domestic violence injunction, Trantalis accused Curran of violent behavior, including throwing objects, brandishing a knife, and demanding that Trantalis leave his own home, mentioning in his filing, “I have a genuine fear of deadly bodily harm.”
The injunction was set to expire on December 3.
In court, Trantalis said he had hoped to rehabilitate Curran through counseling but realized those efforts had failed. He described the past weekend’s incident, saying, “Finally, he threw me to the ground… I understood there was no hope for this relationship.”
Speaking about the situation, the mayor referred to it as “very complicated,” highlighting the intensity of their interactions.
Trantalis requested a no-contact order during his hearing, permitting Curran to recover personal items from his house only in police presence.
Curran’s bail was set at $6,000, and the judge agreed to the no-contact order, barring him from any firearms or weapons.
Upon leaving jail, Curran declared his enduring love for Trantalis, stating, “I love him. No matter what. I’ve always loved him and always will.” He also shared numerous posts on Instagram showcasing their relationship, seemingly overlooking the legal troubles.
In a post from September 3, Curran had shared his engagement announcement with Trantalis in front of the Eiffel Tower, expressing, “Wish come true #engaged.”
Trantalis has been mayor since 2018, recognized as Fort Lauderdale’s first openly gay mayor. Having completed three four-year terms, he is ineligible for re-election in 2028.
Before becoming mayor, he served on the Fort Lauderdale City Commission for five years, from 2013 to 2018, and has practiced law since 1980, running a firm focused on various legal matters.
