Mayor Dean Trantalis testified in court that his former partner assaulted him outside his home before being arrested for violating a restraining order.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — November 8, 2025.
A shocking domestic violence case has rocked South Florida politics after Mayor Dean Trantalis, 72, accused his 34-year-old ex-fiancé, Daniel Curran, of attacking him outside his home and dragging him across the street during a confrontation earlier this month.
The Democratic mayor revealed the details during a court hearing Friday, describing the November 1 incident as a failed attempt to reconcile that turned violent. According to court records cited by NBC South Florida, Curran allegedly pushed the mayor, tackled him to the ground, and dragged him roughly 15 feet, leaving Trantalis with injuries to his wrist, leg, and knee.
Police arrested Curran on Wednesday after he allegedly returned to the mayor’s home in violation of a domestic violence injunction issued in September. He faces charges of battery on a person 65 or older, contempt of court, and violating an injunction.
In his initial filing, Trantalis said he feared for his safety, alleging that Curran had previously thrown objects, pulled knives, and damaged property during arguments.
“I truly fear deadly physical harm,” the mayor wrote in his injunction request.
During his testimony Friday, Trantalis said he had hoped to help Curran seek counseling and mental health treatment.
“I thought maybe there was a way to rehabilitate Danny,” he told the court. “But this past weekend, he threw me to the ground… and I realized there was no hope for this relationship.”
The judge granted a no-contact order, allowing Curran to retrieve his belongings only under police supervision. His bond was set at $6,000, and he was prohibited from possessing firearms or weapons.
Curran bonded out Friday evening and, speaking to reporters outside the jail, said, “I love him. No matter what. I always have and always will.”
On Instagram, Curran—who had styled his profile name as “Danny Trantalis”—posted several photos of the couple, including a September engagement announcement from Paris, captioned “wishes come true #engaged.”
Trantalis, who has served as Fort Lauderdale’s first openly gay mayor since 2018, is a longtime attorney and former city commissioner. He has reached his term limit and will be ineligible for reelection in 2028.
