Friday, September 23, 2011

2 candidates expelled by PAC man

Police arrived Wednesday to one of the monthly senior parties thrown for the residents of Hialeah Housing Authority facilities after someone called in a "disturbance". But it wasn't a fistfight between two viejitos over the Marlins MVP or a hair-pulling meleé de abuelas over the last piece of cake.

No, the police were called to eject two candidates in the upcoming election: former councilman and former HHA director Alex Morales -- who was fired by fomer mayor Julio Robaina after he refused to break the rules for him -- and former Hialeah cop turned HHA intake specialist (he processes new applications) Danny Bolaños, son of the former longtime police chief. Two other candidates on the November ballot -- incumbent councilmen Jose Caragol and Pablito "Huh" Hernandez, who are being backed by HHA Director Julio Ponce -- were left to chat with the housing residents (read: absentee voters) in the dining room Villa Aida, 20 West 6th St., and even allowed to walk around and roam the hallways freely, as photographed here.

Neither Bolaños nor Morales had any campaign materials to hand out. They were just saying hello. While Ladra knows that they were there for votes, so were Caragol and Hernandez, and the rules don't say they couldn't attend the party, only that they cannot campaign there. In addition, there were another 10 or so HHA employee colleagues of Bolaños there that were not made to leave.

"I went there to say hello to friends who have seen me grow up since 2003 when I came to housing," Bolaños told me Thursday. "I did not tell anyone that I was a political candidate. The policy says you can't solicit. I wasn't soliciting. I was saying hello." Bolaños has been to dozens of other parties -- until 2009 when he first ran for office (lost to Councilwoman Katherine Cue and Robaina's absentee ballot machinery). "That's when Julio Ponce forbid me from going."

On Wednesday, they were told they were not allowed to be there, per HHA policy. But Morales said they intentionally bent the rules in order to violate his and Bolaños rights.

"I wrote the policy and it says you can't campaign door-to-door or solicit door-to-door for funeral packages, for HMOs, for anything," Morales said. "But at those parties, everyone went. We just don't allow the distribution of literature." The Professor reminded Ladra about a 2008 visit to one of the housing buildings by former Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart when he was campaigning for re-election against Morales friend and ally Raul Martinez, the former Hialeah mayor now running to get his old job back. "Lincoln showed up unannounced with mariachis and I adjusted the program," Morales said. "I stood next to him. I smiled. I introduced him. I gave him the microphone. I asked him not to distribute cards, 'But you are welcome to go table to table and say hi to everybody.'"

The most interesting thing about the whole incident, to Ladra anyway, were the photographs shown to me by one of the viejitas who snapped away as Morales said hi to people he has known for decades: Hovering over him the entire time, like a giant intimidating shadow, was HHA adult activities director Adriel Sanchez, who was physically pushing him and trying to block him from greeting residents.

"I was assaulted and battered," Morales said. "He was pushing me, he was grabbing me by the arm. I repeatedly told him stop touching me. You are battering me and I am going call the police." He didn't have to. Someone, and we suspect it may be HHA Director Ponce, called police and had him and Bolaños escorted out. He is not going to press charges for battery, though, he may pursue a violation of his constitional rights. Both Morales and Bolaños -- and this could show they are still solidly on the same slate supporting each other -- have consulted an attorney. "We may take action that way," Morales said. "You cannot allow free speech for one group of individuals and not to another group of individuals."

But Adriel Sanchez sounded like a familiar name to Ladra. And it is. We wrote about him in June. Adriel Miguel Sanchez, chairman of  the Citizens to Reclaim Miami-Dade Government PAC, which is curiously out of Tampa, and Ladra wrote about him in June when she was tabulating the millions [badly] spent on Robaina's failed bid for county mayor. That PAC raised and spent more than $1.12 million, mostly funneled to other PACs for Robaina, including The [Non]Accountability Project, Citizens First and Citizens for Clarity -- which used some of those funds for attack radio ads against then-candidate Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez -- according to campaign finance reports. Curiously, no funds from Citizens to Reclaim Miami-Dade Govenment went to Truth for Our Community PAC, which is chaired by his boss, Ponce (another quid pro quo botella as director with a $125,000 salary and a $900-a month car allowance, despite having only a high school diploma and zero experience in the field). But the final report from the Reclaim PAC, "disbanded" on Sept. 8, is not due until Oct. 11.

Ladra can't help but wonder if Sanchez's $31,500-a-year HHA job is another one of those botella positions (read: political quid pro quo) given to people who help the powers that be with their political aspirations and campaigns? Or was his name simply used by Ponce and Robaina to front another of more than eight or nine PACs that were working for the former mayor and real estate mogul. The Citizens to Reclaim Miami-Dade Government PAC was formed on December 20, two months after Sanchez was hired Oct. 4, 2010

I called Sanchez to find out if he was the chicken or the egg, and he put me on hold.  "Hang on a second," after I introduced myself and he told me his title and confirmed he was hired in October. After a few minutes, a woman came on the phone. "Can I help you?" I said I was speaking with Mr. Sanchez and he had put me on hold but said he would be right back. I was then connected to his voice mail.

Sanchez, curiously, also has addresses in Las Vegas and Orange County, California, and Ladra can't help but wonder if he has any casino or gambling ties. Jesus Navarro, the maquinita king of Hialeah, gave the Citizens to Reclaim PAC at least $5,000 and the Brunetti family, who own Hialeah Park racetrack, gave more than $50,000 to the PAC.

Ladra likes to play with chance a little as much as the next dog and, in fact, has a little wager to propose: How much does anyone want to bet that Robaina is still involved in Hialeah politics?

36 comments:

  1. Banana Repukelik poltricks as usual

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  2. We all know why they were there. They knew the rules and they broke them. What is there to talk about ?

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  3. So you're saying Pablito, Caragol, Hernandez and the others were violating the rules?

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  4. Just Remember one thing Caragol, and Hernandez are ELECTED OFFICIALS. NOT CANIDATES. They are if anything incumbents. They are there in an official capacity.

    The only thing that is official is that your Biases have kicked you out of the Miami Herald and you leach on to the Raul Band Wagon for your own Spot Light.

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  5. Just remember, your buddies won't be there much longer

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  6. Why don't you bring up the fact that Alex never allowed candidates. Only Elected Officials hence why Lincoln Was Allowed.. Or the fact that Danny shot an African American Constituent of Hialeah in the face and committed 187 on a Hialeah Resident. Not including more beat downs that Raul Shake Downs. .

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  7. Why don't we bring up the civil war, or prohibition, or better yet the black plague? Stick to the present kiddo.

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  8. Its all about the Facts.. I don't have to go back neither a few hundreds years ago to be right on this. This is all recent..Less than ten years ago.. Have a cup of reality and enjoy the ride because a new low will be shown by the Horrible Three in the next couple of months. The word Gentusa comes to mind when properly explaining the exploits of the Fab Three. Oh like you spoke previously about the black Plague that was correct in regards to your likely friends Raul, Alex, Little Danny.

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  9. Hey Ladra,

    What are you and Raul's little Cry Babies AKA ( Sean Morale and Danny Boy) going to do on November 18th at 12:01 PM When this could be quite possibly the seen at City Hall.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yQ64QKrALQ

    Wa, Wa, Wa,

    Stop whining little girls..

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  10. It is all about the FACTS. Hialeah is already at an all time LOW. With forced cuts on the general employees and unnecessary lay offs to firefighters the only way to go is UP. Only 40 more days before the GARBAGE is cleaned up in Hialeah.

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  11. please DO NOT OFFEND THE GARBAGE by comparing them to us

    The Trash Collectors Associates

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  12. Talking about Garbage Why dont you include the Ex-Facto President of the General Employes Aka the Garbage Man or Mr. Sanitation. Or Just plain old I cant pass a drug test but i can lead a group of unwitting bystanders that were hijacked by a Raul Flunkey that did the bidding of the Dark Overlord.

    Oh by the way it was COCAINE...ONLY A COCKED UP FOOL WOULD VOTE FOR THE RAUL SLATE...

    ELAINE YOU WOULD KNOW ABOUT THAT. PASS THE BLUNT BABY.BOB MARLEY IS A BIG FAN OF YOUR BLOG.

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  13. OMG I am sorry I could not stop laugh for the last 6 hours since you posted this to be able to reply! But where to begin?? I am not sure what is worse or more hysterical Alex Morales saying that he was assaulted or you trying to justify what Alex himself put in to place!! As usual Ladra you have been played by the Raul for Mayor Posse!! First of all Mr. Sanchez was doing his job, and if you want to talk about botellas ask about Nicolas Mahi and Karina from the Raul Martinez administration, both of them had "jobs" that were questionable so please tell them to stop feeding you that garbage!!!! And as for his ties to gambling do your worst because there is nothing there and you know. I need to stop laughing again before I can finish my response........

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  14. Hernandez won't win, the people aren't THAT dumb

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  15. Carlos blanco where are you? Talk more about us

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  16. Of course Robaina is still in Hialeah politics...
    or economics anyway. The maquinitas have been mentioned in this post and previous ones; with claims of politicians only being interested in Hialeah for the money to be raked in from a future casino.
    If there is a casino in Hialeah's future, it will be regulated by the state. I am no fan of gambling. As a Florida Lottery retailer, I see many people "invest" money in the Lottery that would be better invested at the food store. But the Lottery guarantees a 50% return in winnings, 35% goes to Education, 10% to overhead, and 5% to the retailer. Yes, Hialeah politicians and citizens might make a pretty penny off a new casino; but all this income would be regulated and reported and taxed. There are 1000's of maquinitas...yes THOUSANDS... in Hialeah...all unregulated, all unaccounted for. The winnings are untaxed, because the machines are only for amusement...not quite as amusing as Hialeah politics though. I cannot even venture to guess how many millions of dollars are being funnelled into organized crime, and Robaina's pockets, every week. I would like to see Raul and Rudy sign a pledge that whomever wins...the maquinitas are history; and those who have foisted them on Hialeah will be prosecuted. We could also ask Carlos; but he is part of the problem, not the solution; and he'll be history, not soon enough.

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  17. Raul could of brought business to Hialeah but he would rather bring it to third world countries where he can rape and pillage the local economies much easier than here after Robaina took mayor ship. Its pretty simple to see this Viejito only wants to bring CAMBIO in the worse sense of the words to Hialeah. A Vote for Raul Is A Vote for CAMBIO (Como DIJO EL OTRO RAUL).

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  18. Saying Carlos is Part of the problem only shows how little you know. Haven't you seen that these guys only escaped from legal prosecution because of political connections and cronyism. If he wasn't such a cash cow for the Democratic Party he would still be kissing something other than his wife at night. The only thing thats easy to see is that Carlos is the only one that hasn't faced investigation. A Vote for Raul is only going to lead to a life of CRIME. He Cant help himself. So be a Humanitarian and don't Vote Raul because this time around his back wont be able to withstand the weight of a big Burley Friend.

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  19. Lickerpoet
    Any code violations? Does your sign have permit? You have all you licenses?

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  20. Hey code enforcement, any federal violations when the firefighters get laid off? Does Carlos understand he will have to pay the Feds 1.8 million for doing that? You ready?

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  21. I only deal with code enforcement !!! All I can tell you that there is a unemployment office on 49 st......

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  22. Will Carlos be standing in line in 40 days?

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  23. Paul Hernandez elected? Whose fact checking you anonymous? All the way towards the top by the way so there's no confusion.

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  24. investing..not investigating...damn spell check

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  25. wow, why did my long post disappear? it was posted a moment ago..I'll try again..damn
    blogspot

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  26. -->>Code Enforcement

    Thank you for your diligence, performing your job even while on your own free, online time. I never fault a person for doing their job.
    You need a permit for a sign? Really? Wow, I just erected mine, by myself, over a weekend. I better check on that, thanx !
    Actually there is a story behind the permit for my sign. The sign was erected by Acolite Sign company, which later merged into Claude Neon, and I believe still exists as Claude/Acolite. The original design for my store sign was for a larger sign with more lines for messages. There was a delay in manufacturing the sign (not Acolite's fault) and during this delay, the city passed an ordinance limiting the size of such signs. The size of my sign severely limits what I can post. Sometimes I get what I consider is a great idea for a poem...and damn, I just can't fit it into 20 words or less. I'll be forced to morph words and phrases on the fly. Then someone will call and say ,"you moron, can't you spell?" (I won two spelling bees as a kid.
    I was a child prodigy, but now I am only a child).
    Let's see, what else did you ask to re-direct the attention from the Robaina/Hernandez crime syndicate? Oh, my licenses. Hmmm..I need licenses?
    Yes, I have two city licenses, 3 county licenses, 2 state licenses, 6 state registrations, 1 state commission, and 3 federal registrations....oh, I can't forget my garbage dumpster certificate.
    But Code Enforcement, there is a law that is violated by many liquor stores, grocery stores, all establishments that sell alcoholic beverages. Outdoor advertising of alcoholic beverages and their pricing is not allowed. There is an electronic sign on West 12 and about 45 Street, advertising the daily liquor specials. Often stores will have beer pennants, or flags on a string, advertising
    a specific brand. This is against the law. There also is some question as to the legality of signs facing outward from the store's windows. Go get 'em, Danno...err...Code enforcement.
    "Saying Carlos is Part of the problem only shows how little you know," whined one Anonymouse (unknown rodent). The specific issue I was addressing was the maquinitas. These video slot machines are prima facie (at first face, at first glance) illegal. They are not for amusement only, for the winners are paid in cash, and they are not games of skill. How much skill is involved in pushing a button?
    Hernandez is temporarily in charge of administrating this city, and this illegal activity is allowed to thrive. He is part of the problem.
    There was an email forwarded to Police Sergeants. Each of the 5 Sergeants in sector one were to deliver a letter to 50 maquinita locations each, declaring that the machines were being operated illegally and they had so much time to rectify the operation or remove them.
    That is 5 X 50 locations, or 250 locations in only one sector of the city X 5 active sectors X at least 2 machines per locations = at least 2,500 machines. One location on 49th St.had 2 or 3 registered machines up front, and a secret door to a back room full of running machines.
    There could be twice as many machines.
    Let us assume that one machine takes in $150 a day (a gross underestimate) X 7 days. Call it a $1,000 a week per machine. 2,500 machines X
    $1,000 per week = $2.5 million per week. Please remember this is a gross underestimate.
    If anyone has firmer numbers, such as the actual number of machines legally registered with the city, please share your info.
    oh, damn, where was I? Oh, the email to the Sergeants...it got swallowed by the cyber gods.
    No email, no letters delivered...and the maquinitas continue to steal the limited discretionary money that the poor would be investing in our local economy, purchasing from retailers, generating taxes, creating jobs. Instead this money goes where?

    ReplyDelete
  27. Gonna split the comment in half, then it might stay posted.

    -->>Code Enforcement

    Thank you for your diligence, performing your job even while on your own free, online time. I never fault a person for doing their job.
    You need a permit for a sign? Really? Wow, I just erected mine, by myself, over a weekend. I better check on that, thanx !
    Actually there is a story behind the permit for my sign. The sign was erected by Acolite Sign company, which later merged into Claude Neon, and I believe still exists as Claude/Acolite. The original design for my store sign was for a larger sign with more lines for messages. There was a delay in manufacturing the sign (not Acolite's fault) and during this delay, the city passed an ordinance limiting the size of such signs. The size of my sign severely limits what I can post. Sometimes I get what I consider is a great idea for a poem...and damn, I just can't fit it into 20 words or less. I'll be forced to morph words and phrases on the fly. Then someone will call and say ,"you moron, can't you spell?" (I won two spelling bees as a kid.
    I was a child prodigy, but now I am only a child).

    ReplyDelete
  28. Let's see, what else did you ask to re-direct the attention from the Robaina/Hernandez crime syndicate? Oh, my licenses. Hmmm..I need licenses?
    Yes, I have two city licenses, 3 county licenses, 2 state licenses, 6 state registrations, 1 state commission, and 3 federal registrations....oh, I can't forget my garbage dumpster certificate.
    But Code Enforcement, there is a law that is violated by many liquor stores, grocery stores, all establishments that sell alcoholic beverages. Outdoor advertising of alcoholic beverages and their pricing is not allowed. There is an electronic sign on West 12 and about 45 Street, advertising the daily liquor specials. Often stores will have beer pennants, or flags on a string, advertising
    a specific brand. This is against the law. There also is some question as to the legality of signs facing outward from the store's windows. Go get 'em, Danno...err...Code enforcement.
    "Saying Carlos is Part of the problem only shows how little you know," whined one Anonymouse (unknown rodent). The specific issue I was addressing was the maquinitas. These video slot machines are prima facie (at first face, at first glance) illegal. They are not for amusement only, for the winners are paid in cash, and they are not games of skill. How much skill is involved in pushing a button?
    Hernandez is temporarily in charge of administrating this city, and this illegal activity is allowed to thrive. He is part of the problem.
    There was an email forwarded to Police Sergeants. Each of the 5 Sergeants in sector one were to deliver a letter to 50 maquinita locations each, declaring that the machines were being operated illegally and they had so much time to rectify the operation or remove them.
    That is 5 X 50 locations, or 250 locations in only one sector of the city X 5 active sectors X at least 2 machines per locations = at least 2,500 machines. One location on 49th St.had 2 or 3 registered machines up front, and a secret door to a back room full of running machines.
    There could be twice as many machines.
    Let us assume that one machine takes in $150 a day (a gross underestimate) X 7 days. Call it a $1,000 a week per machine. 2,500 machines X
    $1,000 per week = $2.5 million per week. Please remember this is a gross underestimate.
    If anyone has firmer numbers, such as the actual number of machines legally registered with the city, please share your info.
    oh, damn, where was I? Oh, the email to the Sergeants...it got swallowed by the cyber gods.
    No email, no letters delivered...and the maquinitas continue to steal the limited discretionary money that the poor would be investigating in our local economy, purchasing from retailers, generating taxes, creating jobs. Instead this money goes where?
    Reply to: Reply to Roy G Biv
    Send

    ReplyDelete
  29. And yet Hernandez wants to lay off fire/medics....what a shame. 39 more days.

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  30. "RUDY" YOU SUCK!!!!!!!!! YOUR A PUSSY, I WAS GOING TO VOTE FOR YOU BUT I SEE YOU WANT RAUL TO WIN! I SEE HERNANDEZ WILL GAIN FROM YOUR LACK OF BEING A MAN. MAYBE THAT'S WHY THE FIRE UNION DIDN'T PICK YOU.I TAUGHT YOU WILL FIGHT FOR CITY OF HIALEAH. YOUR SAYING "I LOVE HIALEAH" I DON'T THINK SO IT ALL OVER FOR YOU WE SAW A PICTURE OF YOUR WIFE YOU BETTER WATCH IT REMEMBER HERMAN'S CAMPAIGN THEY GOT DIVORCES!

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  31. ^^^
    Calm down there little fella, just don't vote for Carlos

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  32. Rudy you better man up because your not showing any manhood sorry this is Hialeah where the people want someone to fight for them its nice that you are so decent but we need more than decent we need someone that wont be timid specially when your going to face sharks that are eating you alive so stop already and show that you have it in you the word around town is that they like you but that you dont have the blood so confront your fears already every restaurant around talk about it and soon youll see how your friends will drop you if thats not happening already that other guy who may those comments about you being a pussy might be right they are fustrated with your lack of manhood and no blood to take care of problems i here you walk away in situations when your confronted so how do you expect to be mayor

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  33. Well at least Mr. Morales didn't have to drive far to Villa Aida. I'm sure he "walked" there from his "apartment" just a few blocks away (where he is "living" in order to "qualify" for this year's elections......

    ReplyDelete

I have decided to moderate comments for a while as there are some that are simply off-subject and have become personal and offensive in nature, attacking not just me but others through this venue.

Comments that add substance and context to the news and issues in the blog will be posted. Comments that use profanity and abuse this open space to attack others will be saved and, when called for, sent to the appropriate authorities.