Once again, Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar is trying to take credit for something she didn’t do.
Salazar, who was re-elected last year, was called out when she said she had brought millions in federal dollars to her district and the Miami-Dade area when she actually voted against two federal bills during the Biden administration, including the bipartisan critical infrastructure bill that funded $2.5 million to expand healthcare for seniors and families, $8 million for flooding mitigation along the Miami River and in Little Havana and $3.75 million for police initiatives, among other projects.
She posed for photo ops with big, cardboard checks and then lied about not knowing how she voted on Jim DeFede’s Sunday politics show, Facing South Florida.
This week, Salazar took credit for getting the temporary protective status of Venezuelans extended for 18 months for 350,000 Venezuelans in the U.S. whose TPS had been rescinded by President Trump.
“¡EXCELENTE NOTICIA,” she exclaimed on the platform formerly know as Twitter with an alert emoji. “@DHSgov and @SecNoem will extend TPS for Venezuelans for 18 more months. I have led this fight and I have been asking for this for MONTHS! Thanks to the administration for doing the right thing.” She signed off with U.S. and Venezuela flag emojis.
Except she didn’t do anything. Supporting the introduction last month of the Venezuelan Adjustment Act (H.R. 1348) that was sponsored by Democrat Congressman Darren Soto may have given legal status and a path to citizenship for some Venezuelan nationals who arrived before on or Dec. 31, 2021. How would this stop the deportations of Venezuelans who were scheduled to lose their protections this coming Monday.
It was a federal judge this past Monday put stop to the deportation, something the Trump administration is appealing.
The order by U.S. District Judge Edward Chen in San Francisco said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem‘s reversal of those protections “threatens to: inflict irreparable harm on hundreds of thousands of persons whose lives, families, and livelihoods will be severely disrupted, cost the United States billions in economic activity, and injure public health and safety in communities throughout the United States.”
Chen also said the government failed to provide evidence of “real countervailing harm in continuing TPS for Venezuelan beneficiaries” and that there is a likelihood that the secretary’s actions “are unauthorized by law, arbitrary and capricious, and motivated by unconstitutional animus.”
Read related: Maria Elvira Salazar sends campaign mailers from congressional office
So, it wasn’t Salazar, after all. It was Chen and the attorneys who argued in front of him on behalf of the immigrants. In fact, Salazar’s dear friend Noem already filed an emergency appeal.
But Salazar isn’t fooling anyone. Not only is there a “readers added content” note saying the congresswoman is “deliberately lying,” but she also got more than comments on her X post Thursday in less than 12 hours — all calling her a liar and an opportunist.
“But it was the Trump administration who took it away [TPS status], it was a judge that restored them, not DHS. But lady!! Do you live in a parallel universe or are you just acting like a crazy person,” asked one user.
“Si, ella tiene la cara bien dura,” responded someone else, using the Cuban term for being able to lie with a straight face.
“You’ve led this fight? This chic talks shit,” says one comment.
“The last straw is to give yourself credit for solid a problem that your boss is responsible for. Thanks to the judge and all the Venezuelans who made this possible,” says another.

Someone calling himself Juan Fuentes said “Fuera #MariaMentiraSalazar for being a shameless liar and hipócrita with no principles or values. You are afraid of Trump and MAGA and want to fool the victims. The party doesn’t matter. Out with the hypocritical liar.“
Tomás Castellanos said, “Lying comes easy to this woman.”
Carlos Viana wrote that the judge had ordered the TPS extended and that Noem called them “basura,” or garbage. “You supported it and didn’t move one finger. We are not idiots, Maria Elvira. Stop being the ridiculous one.”
Richard Lamondin had harsh words, too: “You had nothing to do with this. This victory was won by the valiant Venezuelans who dared to defy the cruel actions of the government. The silence and absence of Congress are the reason why the courts had to act. Do your job.”
“Thanks to who????!!!!!. Please Representative,” posted someone else, “don’t play with the intelligence of your constituents. It was a JUDGE who decided to maintain the 18 month extension that Secretary Mayorkas gave them under the BIDEN administration.”
“You and your entire Republican gang are scoundrels with no morals whatsoever. TPS for Venezuelans continues because a judge prevented the TPS CANCELLATION issued by Kristi Noem and the Trump administration. YOU’RE NOT FOOLING ANYONE,” posted another user.
And it goes on and on and on. Ladra would not be surprised if there are more than 1,000 such comments by morning.
Maybe Salazar wouldn’t have to take credit for doing things she didn’t do if she would actually do something.
The post Maria Elvira Salazar takes credit for judge extending TPS for Venezuelans appeared first on Political Cortadito.

Read Full Story

Well, here we go again.
Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago has once more threatened to sue Ladra and Political Cortadito. This time, it’s over a post a few days ago that exposes his unprofessional relationship with his “Chief of Staff to None” Chelsea Granell and how that is not only evidence of Lago’s duplicity and hypocrisy, but also a liability for the city. Granell wants to sue also.
This is according to their respective attorneys, Mason Pertnoy — who also represents Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo — and David Rothstein, partner at the prestigious Dimond, Kaplan and Rothstein firm. Don’t worry, dear reader. Granell can afford it. She was promoted by Lago five whole pay grades at once, as chief of staff where there is no staff, and makes more than $90,000 a year. Their attorneys would have you believe that this is not relevant, nor connected to the personal, emotional relationship they have.
Ladra refuses to use the word romantic because, well, ew.
Mason Pertnoy
“We are aware of certain defamatory and libelous statements made by you and/or your agents on https://www.politicalcortadito.com/ (the “Website”) regarding an alleged affair between Mayor Lago and his Chief of Staff, Chelsea Granell (“Ms. Granell”),” Pertnoy’s letter, giving me five days to retract, starts. “Specifically, on March 27, 2025, you (writing through your admitted pseudonym “Landra”) falsely stated, inter alia, that Mayor Lago and Ms. Granell were engaged in an adulterous, emotional, and physical affair. The headline of the “article” itself (“Mayor Vince Lago’s personal affair with chief of staff becomes campaign fodder”) is false, libelous, and defamatory.”
This is an interesting paragraph for various reasons. First, agents? I have agents? This is news to me. Second, it’s not Landra, it’s Ladra. Sloppy work for a high-priced suit. Third, Ladra never used the word “adulterous,” because, again, ew.
And, also, we didn’t have to.
Read related: Mayor Vince Lago’s personal affair with chief of staff becomes campaign fodder
The letter puts the word “article” itself in quotations.
“The message in the article is clear. You allege Mayor Lago and Ms. Granell engaged in a ‘real affair’ and Mayor Lago abused his position of power by providing her with improper benefits and unearned compensation. These statements are patently false, and wholly unsupported by the referenced public records request from an unverified person with blatantly suspicious intentions.”
For the record, these statements are not false. She is the chief of staff of nobody. There was a part timer who lasted a couple of months before she left. The “referenced public records request” has been amended to request information about her exit from the mayor’s employ. Also, the statements don’t have to be supported by the public records request, they are supported by other sources, facts and simple observations. Like that Granell is chief of staff of a staff of none.
Also, for the record, the post in Political Cortadito specifically mentions the “suspicious intentions” of the public records request. It looks like a campaign tactic. But a public records request is a public record. And the documents and records sought — including texts messages and other communications — seemingly show an inside knowledge of events surrounding the, ahem, alleged affair.
Pertnoy is educational in his approach.
“As I am sure you know, Florida law provides an unusually high protection of personal reputation,” he wrote, citing a case that has to do with a surgeon at a hospital in Ft. Pierce. He gave me five days to retract the story or face possible litigation.
Thanks for the quick lesson, Mase.
Chelsea Granell, fourth from left, on what looks like Halloween, where she and Mayor Lago have matching pirate costumes.
And, as I am sure Mr. Pertnoy knows, courts don’s see politicians and surgeons in the same light and haven’t given the same unusually high protection for elected officials, who are public figures. With criticism from independent journalists, no less.
And, as I am sure Mr. Pertnoy knows, the threshold for libel in Florida is pretty high. There are three elements that have to be proven. First, he would have to prove that Ladra knew the information posted on Political Cortadito was false. It’s not. Ladra spoke with several sources, some very, very close to Granell, who provided context and details.
Secondly, they would have to prove malice. That means he has to prove that Ladra posted the information with evil intentions in mind. The only reason the exposé was posted was because there was a public records request that has apparently made the rounds — Ladra spoke with several people who had seen it and sent it to her — and because it is relevant as the mayor campaigns with attacks about a 101% raise that commissioners, including his opponent, gave themselves, which means they still make less than Granell.
The hypocrisy is relevant.
Read related: Kirk Menendez strikes back at Coral Gables Mayor ‘Lyin’ Vince Lago’
The last thing that has to be present for there to be libel is that the plaintiff’s reputation must be sullied. That’s hilarious. Not just because the people who read Political Cortadito mostly have their minds made up — there are the fans who hate L’Ego already and the haters who love him no matter what — but because Lago has done enough to hurt his own reputation. He needs no help there.
All three elements have to be present.
Ladra doesn’t blame Pertnoy — who also represents Lago in his equally baseless defamation lawsuit against Actualidad Radio — for taking this on, despite its obvious lack of merit. These are billable hours for him. It’s Lago that is to blame for trying to silence his critics. Granell is just being taken for a fool.
That post about the relationship has been met with some mixed reactions. Some, and not just Lago lackeys, think it crossed a line and is in bad taste. But it has also received praise from others who say Ladra exposed a situation that is not just inappropriate — and a real character trait of a mayoral candidate — but relevant. And it could pose a risk to the city. How do we know that he didn’t coerce this young woman into a relationship with a powerful man? How do we know she’s not going to claim sexual harassment later? What if someone with knowledge of the relationship used it to pressure (read: blackmail) the mayor into a vote?
Ladra hadn’t even thought of that last one until someone raised the concern in a comment.
This is not the first time that a personal out-of-office relationship between two city employees in the Gables becomes political fodder. There was once a city manager who was sued for sexual harassment by the secretary of the then-mayor, which was part of the reason that manager resigned.
So, the relationship is relevant. To say otherwise is like saying the relationship between Gary Hart and Donna Rice was not important. Just business as usual and not monkey business (sorry, I had to).
Needless to say, the deadline came and passed. The five days to respond were up on Wednesday, and crickets. This is an obvious bluff. I am anxiously awaiting the lawsuit so I can depose the mayor and Granell on a bunch of stuff.
Read related: Under fire, Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago sues Cuban radio station for libel
They already got my answer, though. A big fat no. I mean, through my attorney, a big fat no.
“In response to your request for a retraction, the answer is ‘no,’” wrote David Winker to Pertnoy. “My client rejects your assertion that this is a false statement. And she stands by the article as true and accurate in all respects.”
He also added something Ladra wishes she had thought of, and that’s why Winker is her attorney: “Please be sure to have your client, Vince Lago, save all relevant emails, texts, and ‘chats’ regarding his relationship with his Chief of Staff, Chelsea Granell.”
There has been no response to my his letter — nor any lawsuits filed.
Demand for Retraction from Mayor Vince Lago’s attorney to Elaine de Valle, award winning journalist at Poli… by Political Cortadito on Scribd

Letter from Chelsea Granell’s attorney demanding a retraction and threatening to sue by Political Cortadito on Scribd

The post Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago and chief of staff threaten to sue Ladra appeared first on Political Cortadito.

Read Full Story

It doesn’t seem that Coral Gables City Manger Alberto Parjus, who took over in February from the assistant position when Amos Rojas announced he was leaving, has had a lot of time to communicate with residents via email.
But Parjus made the time Thursday to send his first email message meant to assuage any fears residents may have about public safety and the shortages at the police and fire departments.
Five days before a contentious election, it reads like a political statement. Like a campaign mailer.
Read related: Coral Gables names Alberto Parjus as new city manager in divided 3-2 vote
“As City Manager, I am committed to addressing the challenges and upholding the standards of excellence within both our Police and Fire Departments,” Parjus started.
“The Coral Gables Police Department is currently facing recruitment challenges, a trend common across the nation. Despite these hurdles, we remain committed to maintaining high recruitment standards. Currently, we have 29 police vacancies (of which 15 are new positions added over the last 3 years). This includes 18 candidates undergoing rigorous background checks and 11 officers in training at the academy. Since the start of 2025, we have hired 8 new officers, enhancing our capabilities without any increase in tax dollars, thanks to prudent fiscal management.
“Our robust recruitment process has seen 283 applications this year alone, with 45 interviewed and 39 progressing further, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to quality. Despite challenges, our crime rates remain low and response times continue to meet the high standards our community expects. Our dedication is evident in our unchanged case clearance rates and arrest numbers.
“We are proud that more than half our police force has dedicated more than 10 years of service to Coral Gables, with 30% having more than 20 years of service. Last year, the City Commission approved a competitive pay and benefits package that includes a $10,000 hiring bonus, reflecting our commitment to attracting and retaining top talent.”
In other words, nothing to see here, folks.
This seems to be in response to the campaign against Mayor Vince Lago’s re-election, which has brought up the terrible track record he has with public safety. Both the police and fire union have endorsed Commissioner Kirk Menendez in the mayoral race. There’s no other reason for the timing of this “message.” Is the new city manager meddling in a political campaign for one of his bosses?
Read related: Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago has a terrible track record with public safety
Could the Gables be on the way to having a fourth city manager in two years?
The message, emailed to the recipients of the Gables enewsletter, also talks about the coming opening of a new fire station on Sunset Drive, “enhancing emergency response capabilities to the south and west sides of our community, including the University of Miami area. The addition of a fifth Rescue unit to our fleet will help us meet increasing demand and improve service delivery.”
That sounds so much like a press release that Ladra is almost certain it was written by Gables spokeswoman, and Lago’s own personal publicist, Martha Pantin.
“The department is also launching a Technical Response Team to handle complex rescue incidents, ensuring preparedness for any eventuality, from construction accidents to natural disasters. This summer, we will hire nine new firefighters to address both current and anticipated vacancies, ensuring all positions are filled and our readiness is uncompromised.
“The safety and security of our personnel — and of every community member — are paramount. Our firefighters’ dedication, professionalism and courage are the foundation of our capability to serve and protect Coral Gables residents every day.”
Even the conclusion seems to scream that everything is just great under the current administration: “As we celebrate our centennial and move forward, I can assure you that both departments are focused on innovative recruitment strategies and community engagement initiatives to attract qualified candidates who share our values of integrity and service. We thank the community for your continued trust and remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Coral Gables residents.”
Continued trust? Is there a more obvious way to say “Let’s keep things going as they are”?
Parjus — who, by the way, did not get the vote for his job from Lago or Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson — did not return a call to his office. Pantin told Ladra Thursday morning that she was not going to get into who wrote or didn’t write the message (read: she did) and that she would call back with information on the impetus of this first and only city manager’s message. Why now? Why this subject? Has someone complained or raised concerns?
The language about the number of police applicants also mirrors some of the language in Anderson’s campaign materials.
Five hours later, Pantin sends me a statement from the city manager via email: “As Coral Gables City Manager,  my primary responsibility is ensuring the effective administration of city services, including the crucial areas of public safety.  Our commitment to maintaining a responsive and well-equipped police and fire department is unwavering. The communication was to provide our community with the latest information regarding our police and fire departments, including their recruitment and retention efforts.”
So, what? The timing was just a coincidence?
Read related: Coral Gables police, fire union: Lying Vince Lago is no pal of public safety
Ladra suspects the true reason is the recent joint statement made by the police and fire unions “regarding campaign information” in an email from Mayor Lago’s political action committee blasting their endorsement of Commissioner Kirk Menendez to replace him. The email from Lago’s PAC is so egregious that they felt the need to set the record straight.
“Dear Residents of Coral Gables, public safety is the foundation of any strong community.
“Our firefighters and police officers work tirelessly to protect Coral Gables, offering highest in class service to its residents, but they can only do their jobs effectively when they have the proper resources, support and leadership in place. Unfortunately, years of neglect, underfunding, and staffing shortages have placed unnecessary strain on our public safety departments — jeopardizing the well-being of both first responders and residents,” the statement says, adding that Lago is the one misleading the public.
“While recent upgrades to fire stations and emergency services have been promoted by Mayor Lago as major feats of progress, the truth is these were not proactive investments. They were urgent repairs made necessary by long-standing neglect,” the statement reads.
The statement goes on to say that firefighters have had to deal with mold affecting their health, roof leaks, water damage and more. “Beyond infrastructure, our city has faced historic staffing shortages for both firefighters and police officers under Mayor Lago’s tenure,” it says, citing that at one time during Lago’s tenure police had almost 40 vacancies (it was 37), “a historic shortage that strained response times and officer morale. It also cited that the city’s fire department is the only one in the county that does to meet the National Fire Protection Association’s standard of 43 firefighters on duty per shift.
“This means fewer first responders available when you need them most,” the statement said. “Staffing shortfalls have led to excessive workloads, longer response times, and increased burnout among our first responders — all of which make it harder to keep Coral Gables safe.
“For years, our firefighters and police officers have fought for fair contracts and adequate funding, yet time and again, their concerns have been met with resistance by Mayor Lago, mostly due to petty grievances fueled by political retribution efforts.”
The city manager’s message is not sent in a vacuum. It looks like a reaction to this statement by the police and fire unions, an intent to influence voters. And, really, is hat the city manager’s job? At campaign time?
The post Coral Gables city manager sends public safety email — 5 days before election appeared first on Political Cortadito.

Read Full Story

Coral Gables Commissioner Ariel Fernandez says there has been a targeted campaign of harassment and threats against him and two other city commissioners almost since he and Commissioner Melissa Castro were elected against two candidates that were endorsed and supported by Mayor Vince Lago. He called it “thuggery” and “mafia tactics.”
Slashed tires, public confrontations, online harassment and threats, stalking.
These events culminated on Tuesday when Fernandez spotted someone following him and police identified the man as a private investigator who used to be a Coral Gables sergeant until he retired in 2014. Police say he wouldn’t say who hired him.
Hang on. Let that sink in. There’s a private investigator tailing a commissioner in Coral Gables and police cannot find out who is doing it? This could be someone who is looking to hurt the commissioner for a vote he took. It could be someone who wants to pressure him to vote some way in the future. It’s a danger to the commissioner and the family and the cops couldn’t do more?
Fernandez says that he believes he has been followed for months.
In February, someone stalked Fernandez at the Belen Jesuit School Tombola event, posting photos with disparaging remarks.
“Imagine spending a Saturday evening with your wife and 9-year-old son at your former high school’s fair — laughing, making memories, just enjoying a peaceful night as a family. Hours later, photos surface on social media proving that someone had been watching you — following your family,” Fernandez said at a press conference Wednesday about “security threats.” With his wife, Monica, standing next to him, he also provided a google drive link to all the images and police reports documenting the threats.
“Imagine stepping out for dinner on Miracle Mile with friends, only to return to find your car’s tires slashed,” he said, referring to an incident that occurred with Commissioner Kirk Menendez‘s wife.
“Imagine taking your 7-year-old son to a restaurant and being physically attacked by someone with a political agenda,” he said, referring to a loud, physical confrontation that the mother of a former city commissioner aligned with Mayor Vince Lago had with Commissioner Castro in Key Biscayne.
“Unfortunately, this is not fiction — this is the reality that Commissioner Kirk Menendez, Commissioner Melissa Castro, and I have been forced to live over the past two years., Fernandez said. “When you take public office, you know there will be sacrifices. You expect criticism, tough conversations, and public scrutiny. But no one prepares you for the fear, the stalking, or the threats — not just against you, but against your family.
“Since taking office in 2023, the attacks on me, Commissioner Castro, Commissioner Menendez, and our families have not only continued — they’ve escalated.” And he listed some of the disturbing incidents.

November 17, 2023: A photo of Commissioner Fernandez’s vehicle, including his license plate, was posted online, which may be a violation of state law. Ladra is pretty sure the photo was taken by and the social media handle was used by Lago buddy and real estate agent Manny Chamizo, who recently was sentenced to probation in a stalking case (more on that later).
January 8, 2024: Commissioner Menendez’s wife’s tires were slashed right outside their home.
February 13, 2024: Due to a credible death threat, the three commissioners had to be escorted by police into City Hall for a commission meeting.
August 31, 2024: Commissioner Castro was physically assaulted and verbally accosted at a restaurant outside the city, in front of her seven-year-old son.
October 8, 2024: Fernandez received what he called “a chilling threat” on social media from an individual, stating: “Cya soon face to face.”
November 16, 2024: While having lunch with my wife and son, a drone hovered overhead, surveilling us before flying away when I attempted to photograph it.
December 15, 2024: Commissioner Castro’s tires were slashed in a city parking garage. The only other similar incident in months? Commissioner Menendez’s car.
February 1, 2025: Fernandez and his family were stalked and photographed at the Belen Tombola. The photos were later posted online by someone using the name “JustinRite” on social media.
February 22, 2025: Commissioner Castro’s car was vandalized while parked on a Coral Gables street

Read Full Story

It’s been talked about for months, but Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins is widely expected to make an announcement any day now that she’s going to run for Miami mayor this November. And it’s crazy for a number of reasons.
If this had been before former Miami Commissioner Ken Russell announced that he would run for mayor, it might be welcome news. Miami voters needed a qualified and viable alternative to the possibility of Commissioner Joe Carollo or, God forbid, former Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla becoming the mayor. But now they have one. And if Higgins and Russell both run, they’re going to divide the non-Hispanic, Democrat and coastal community votes, where both are strong.
Handing the victory over to one of the aforementioned crooks.
But many people are shaking their heads anyway. La Gringa? Mayor of Miami?
Read related: Recycling in Miami: Frank Carollo and Ken Russell on the November ballot
Observers say she has no chance. Miami hasn’t elected a non-Hispanic to mayor in decades. The last one was Stephen P. Clark in 1993. Russell’s chances are also slim. They’re higher because of his institutional knowledge and involvement in Miami issues. But he’s still going to be an underdog. Higgins would be a a flea on the underdog.
They can’t campaign against each other. Higgins and Russell align on possibly every issue — affordable housing, transit, environmental concerns, good government. They’re just going to draw from the same pool and split the vote.
And La Gringa, a nickname given to her during her first Miami-Dade run and which she has come to embrace, would leave a crucial hole on the county commission if she were to resign to run for mayor of Miami. She’s a senior on the county dais, very strong, with almost four years left in her term and a good position to run for county mayor in 2028 (or 2026 if Daniella Levine Cava leaves to run for something else).
That hole Higgins would leave would likely be filled by a Republican Hispanic. Think former Miami Commissioner Joe Sanchez, or maybe one of the DLP brothers wants to try for the same seat again (she has beaten both ADLP and his brother Renier Diaz de la Portilla). The commission is currently 7-6 with a Dem majority. A change would definitely change dynamics. We can see the county becoming more MAGA before our very eyes, especially with Tuesday’s vote to end adding fluoride to our drinking water (more on that later).
Higgins has certain influence on the commission as the senior member. She is the longtime chair of the transportation committee and is now vice chair of the infrastructure, innovation and technology committee. She is also Levine Cava’s biggest ally. And a friend to labor, environmental groups and progressives.
These same groups balked when Higgins considered a congressional run in 2022 — which would have also pit her against Russell in the Democratic primary — only to withdraw six days later. They do not like what they hear now.
“I really wish she wouldn’t do that,” said Jeffrey Mitchell, president of the local AFL-CIO and a national transit union leader. “Not because she wouldn’t make a good mayor of Miami, but because she just won her election and we need her on the county commission.
“That would leave a gap and who would fill it? Nobody good,” Mitchell said.
Read related: Surprise Eileen Higgins ‘withdrawal’ in CD27 raises questions, causes confusion
So why on Earth would Higgins consider this? Or is she being pushed by someone like, say, her campaign consultant Christian Ulvert, who doesn’t have a lot of work this year and needs something to do. Plus, he could also run another one of his candidates for the county commission seat, like former Pinecrest Councilwoman Anna Hochkammer, who recently moved into the district with her boyfriend, former Congressman Joe Garcia. Does Hochkammer — executive director of Florida Women’s Freedom Coalition, a political committee focused on reproductive rights — meet the residency requirement?
If Higgins announces a run, she can raise money for her political action committee– she can raise tons because she is an elected and people depend on her vote — then when September comes, and the deadline for to resign to run, she could drop out and take the funds raised into a future mayoral race in Miami-Dade, which sounds more possible. Is that the end game here?
Higgins did not return a call or text to her phone. Ulvert hasn’t returned any either. They must know that we know what they’re about to announce.
Neither Carollo nor Alex Diaz de la Portilla, who is reportedly already campaigning and asking for money, have filed any paperwork on their effort to run for mayor, according to the city’s website. Russell has. So have perennial candidates Max Martinez, Michael Hepburn and June Savage. Someone named Ijamyn Joseph Gray. Still in the wings is former City Manager Emilio Gonzalez and longtime Brickell Homeowner Association President Ernesto Cuesta, who admits to having been encouraged by several business leaders. Miami-Dade Commissioner Raquel Regalado has also been mentioned in favorability polls.
There is still time for someone else to show up. Qualifying isn’t until September.
If you like this story and want to see more independent, grassroots, journalistic coverage of the city of Miami, please consider making a donation to Political Cortadito here. And thank you for your support!
The post Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins could join Miami Mayor’s race appeared first on Political Cortadito.

Read Full Story

Incident is the latest in pattern of political harassment
Coral Gables Police have confirmed that Commissioner Ariel Fernandez was being followed Tuesday, while taking his son to school, by a private investigator who was a city police officer until 2014. A statement from the chief said that police don’t know why the PI was following the commissioner — nor who hired him.
Fernandez, who will have a press conference Wednesday to discuss this and other similarly creepy incidents, said it is definitely politically motivated.
“I have no doubt it’s political. I don’t have any enemies outside of politics,” Fernandez told Political Cortadito Tuesday.
He wouldn’t specifically name Mayor Vince Lago, who he has been at odds with since his election two years ago, as the suspect PI’s client. But he did remind Ladra that Lago has repeatedly said he was going to “destroy” him.
Read related: Three Coral Gables commissioners say they have been stalked, threatened
Fernandez thought there was something strange about the dark truck on his street Tuesday morning as he pulled out of his house to take his son to school. It was driving exceedingly slow. Cut-through traffic on the block usually goes by faster, he thought. Moments later, he saw the same truck again at an intersection. His stop. The driver waved him on, twice, then turned behind him and seemed to follow him a few blocks. Fernandez said he tried to get behind the truck to get a license plate, but was unable to.
After he dropped his son off, Fernandez said he approached an officer directing traffic at the school to let him know that he thought he was being followed. Around the same time, the vehicle drove by the school and possibly recorded the interaction between Fernandez and the police officer.
Ariel Fernandez, with wife Monica and son Stephen, as he is sworn in as commissioner two years ago.
“Another dad said, ‘Hey, that guy is taking photos of you,’” Fernandez said.
According to a statement from Chief Ed Hudak, which was released Tuesday afternoon, one of the officers then followed the truck.
“As one of the officers followed the suspect vehicle, the individual pulled off the roadway and flagged down the Coral Gables officer,” reads Hudak’s statement. “The person was identified as a licensed private investigator who was in fact surveilling and following Commissioner Fernandez. The person identified was retired Coral Gables Police Sergeant Alan Matas, who was working as a licensed private investigator for the company he owns. The individual who hired the Private Investigations Company was not disclosed to the responding officer.
“The private investigator was legally conducting surveillance. Therefore, no further action was taken by the officers at the scene,” the statement ended. “The Police Department is continuing to investigate this incident to ascertain if it is related to other incidents that have occurred in the past.”
Incidents in the past include the slashing of tires on both Commissioner Melissa Castro‘s vehicle, which was vandalized again last week, and the vehicle driven by the wife of Commissioner Kirk Menendez. There were also photographs of Commissoner Fernandez taken at the Belen Jesuit School Tombola last month and posted online with disparaging captions and comments.
They were posted by the same trolls who constantly take AI liberties with photographs of the three commissioners dubbed KFC (Kirk, Fernandez and Castro) by the Lago loyalists. These anonymous trolls — and there’s a new one every week — make derogatory and body-shaming remarks, accuse commissioners of drug use, sexual misconduct and pedophile. Some of the posts on Castro could be considered sexual harassment.
Read related: Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago attacks colleagues, manager in citywide email
And Lago, who is the common denominator follower of these trolls’ tiny accounts, knows about them because Ladra — who is also laughably targeted by these online stalkers — has texted him about it and sent him screenshots of some of the most inappropriate posts (I also contacted the Gables Police). The mayor has never had the courtesy to answer.
Fernandez wrote about these comments last month in an op-ed that appeared in Community Newspapers (before it shortly disappeared and then appeared again) called “The politics of intimidation have no place in Coral Gables.” In it, Fernandez accuses Lago of working tirelessly to try to “destroy” him with what he calls a campaign of harassment.
“Political committees usually spring into action during election season. But Mayor Lago’s Coral Gables First PC has functioned as a permanent smear machine,” Fernandez wrote. “Since my election, it has spent over $600,000—not on city improvements, not on community outreach, but on relentless attacks.
“Mailers, text messages, social media ads, and paid canvassers—their sole purpose? To divide our community and tear down those who dare to challenge the Mayor. Worse, Lago has amplified these attacks from his official city accounts, using taxpayer-funded resources to spread hate.
“No social media post goes unnoticed by the Mayor’s network of anonymous trolls. They attack us for our weight, our appearances, and even our families. Commissioner Castro has endured repeated vile sexual harassment. Commissioner Menendez has been falsely and outrageously accused of being a pedophile.
“When we refused to be intimidated, the harassment escalated.
“It wasn’t enough to attack us. Now, they were coming after those closest to us. My wife, my son, my sister-in-law—even my grandfather, who passed away this summer—have all been targeted online. And in a chilling pattern, some of these anonymous accounts are followed by Mayor Lago himself….
“Sometimes, the threats are explicit. A message reading, “See you soon, face to face.” A photo of my car at City Hall posted online with the clear implication: We know where you are.
We’ve turned over all documentation to the State Attorney’s office, but Florida’s laws are still woefully inadequate when it comes to protecting elected officials and their families.”
He reminds us that last year, police had to escort Fernandez and the other two commissioners who are targets of these attacks to a meeting at City Hall after a credible threat.

“This is not the Coral Gables we all love. It is not the Coral Gables my colleagues and I swore an oath to serve,” Fernandez wrote in his op-ed. “Disagreements will always exist. But dissent should never lead to destruction. And leadership should never be weaponized to sow division and fear.
Fernandez told Political Cortadito Tuesday that he wanted to let people know that the intimidation was ongoing.
Read related: Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago: All the wrong people in all the wrong places
“The problem is nobody hears about it, so it’s like it doesn’t exist,” Fernandez said. “Residents have a right to know what their elected officials are going through.”
Meanwhile, the PI, Alan Matas, was a Gables cop and supervisor for more than 26 years, his LinkedIn profile says. He also served on the city’s employee retirement board. Records with the Florida Division of Corporations shows he owns A Matas & Associates LLC and has an address on Key Largo.
Matas was a sergeant in 2006 when he was suspended for 10 days and demoted to patrol for his role in overtime abuse and the illegal narcotics burn — small amounts of marijuana, cocaine and pills — at the Redland property of another Gables officer. The cases uncovered holes in policies that led the department to disband the special investigations unit, taking out half of its personnel at least temporarily until new procedures can be put in place.
The post Police question private investigator following Coral Gables commissioner appeared first on Political Cortadito.

Read Full Story