Coral Gables Commissioner Jorge Fors, who is in a heated runoff for the Miami-Dade Commission seat in District 6, has filed a lawsuit against opponent, lobbyist and political operative Kevin Marino Cabrera and his campaign team over what lies and “doctored images” of Fors in political advertising.
The “defamatory hit pieces” call Fors a criminal and fraudster who furthers “sex trafficking” on Calle Ocho by taking money from the no-tell motels.
“This action arises from the publication and dissemination of multiple, written defamatory statements and implications in the form of political mailings, text messages, and internet website publications,” reads the 30-page complaint written by attorney Michael Beltran, who is also a Republican state rep from Tampa chosen for his expertise in defamation lawsuits.
“This action also arises from a civil conspiracy by the Defendants in furtherance of a plan to defame Jorge L. Fors, Jr.,” it says. “Defendants are disseminating disinformation … to influence the outcome of the 2022 election for Miami-Dade County Commission improperly and unlawfully.”
The complaint states that the defendants are responsible for the “publication and dissemination of various, written defamatory statements and implications in the form of political mailings and text messages, and a civil conspiracy involving the Defendants in furtherance of a plan to defame Jorge Fors for the purpose of improperly and unlawfully influencing the outcome of the 2022 elections for Miami-Dade County Commission through the use of such statements and disinformation.”
Read related: Jorge Fors vs Kevin Marino Cabrera = heated Miami-Dade commission race
The complaint also names several political consultants as well as four John Does and a Jane Doe who “engaged in overt acts to further a plan to defame Fors and influence the outcome of the election for Miami-Dade County Commission through the dissemination of defamatory statements and disinformation.”
All the unidentified co-conspirators are “significantly involved in Florida politics as either a lobbyist, donor, consultant, or official.” Ooooh. Who are they? The lawsuit doesn’t name them “in an abundance of caution” until Beltran or Fors can ascertain their involvement and roles.
“Unfortunately, defendants’ use of shell committees and failure to properly disclose their roles prevents plaintiff from providing any greater specificity prior to discovery,” Beltran says in the complaint.
Ladra hopes at least one of them is either Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo or Miami Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, two real criminals who endorsed Marino Cabrera.
Fors, elected to the Gables commission in 2019 in what was also a nasty race, said he knows that South Florida political campaigns can get ugly.
“But this is beyond the pale. Enough is enough,” Fors said. “Cabrera showed us he will do or say anything, even outright lies, to get elected.”
Read related: Misleading mailers and inferred endorsements abound as election nears
In addition to Marino Cabrera – who ran Donald Trump’s Hispanic Florida campaign — and the unidentified conspirators, the suit also names Anthony Pedicini, a Tampa-based political consultant with a history of legal trouble. Pedicini’s associates are Thomas Piccolo and David Millner. Their company is Simwins, LLC, and together they operate a number of political action committees including Save Our Quality of Life PC, Citizens Alliance for Florida’s Economy, PC. Political operative, Alex Miranda — once a chief of staff to Democrat Miami Beach Mayor Phil Levine — is named as another co-conspirator.
“Cabrera’s consultants have been sued many times over the years for similar defamatory tactics, including in several other elections just this cycle,” Fors said, adding that he has not taken a dime from the hourly hotels on Eighth Street. “I won’t allow them to continue defaming me to elect career lobbyist Cabrera our next Commissioner.
“The residents of Miam-Dade County deserve better.”
The “defendants knowingly published false statements and doctored images… for the sole purpose of harming Fors,” Beltran wrote, adding that Fors received “numerous inquiries” from voters about the accusations. Although the commissioner explained the falsity of the allegations, “not all voters are mollified,” the attorney added.
“Fors has wasted substantial time and money rebutting false allegations. Fors has better things to do with his time, such as practice law, raise money, meet new voters, or spend time with family,” Beltran wrote. “Defendants have caused Fors substantial mental anguish and anxiety through their defamation.”
Beltran said that both the commissioner’s personal and professional reputation, especially since he is an attorney, have been injured. “His livelihood directly depends on the public’s perception of his professionalism, character, trustworthiness, and reputation,” he said.
The attorney sent a cease and desist letter demanding that Cabrera’s camp edit or remove a website designed to spread the lies. While Cabrera’s camp claimed no knowledge or connection to the website, it was taken down within 24 hours of the cease and desist notice.
Hmmmm. That’s telling.
The lawsuit was filed Thursday to prevent further deceptive defamation, Fors said. He is seeking compensatory damages and Beltran, his attorney, is known for winning defamation claims. Just last week, Beltran obtained a jury verdict in Florida Circuit Court for defamation, with a specific finding of actual malice, by an employee of one of the largest retirement communities in Manatee County.
When asked for a comment, Marino Cabrera’s campaign issued a statement saying they had not seen the lawsuit. “Upon receiving the lawsuit and reviewing it with counsel, we will respond accordingly,” the campaign’s statement said.
Fors — a past president of the Coral Gables Bar Association and member in good standing of the Florida Bar — said he has never been incarcerated or handcuffed or taken into custody.
“I’ve never even been in the back of a police car,” he told Ladra.
But that didn’t stop the Marino Cabrera campaign from photoshopping the commissioner in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs — behind bars with a crackhead smile.
“I’ve never been in jail,” Fors said. “Not even for a tour.”
Read related: Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago breaks with board, backs Kevin Cabrera
He was also not investigated for fraud. A complaint that he lied about his homestead exemption was sent to the Florida Bar but was dismissed in seven days, without being investigated, because there was “no probable cause,” according to a letter sent by Arlene Kalish Sankel, chief counsel of the Miami branch.
Saying he was investigated for fraud is like saying that if police get a tip about a bomb in your garage and go there and find there is no bomb, you were investigated for terrorism.
But Marino Cabrera doesn’t seem to have anything else to campaign on. No track record. No experience. No history — except that time he was caught hanging with the Proud Boys hate group, banging on then Congresswoman Donna Shalala‘s office door and shouting epithets at her. Look how happy he looks in the photo of it below.
The “defamatory hit pieces…were published with either knowledge of its falsity or reckless disregard for the truth,” the lawsuit states.
Law enforcement has stood by Fors, who was endorsed by the South Florida Police Benevolent Association and the Fraternal Order of Police of Florida. They wouldn’t endorse a criminal.
“I decided to run for Miami-Dade County Commission because I love the community my wife and I are choosing to raise our three daughters in,” said Fors, who was also endorsed by the South Florida Council of Firefighters and term-limited District 6 Commissioner Rebeca Sosa, among others.
“I filed this lawsuit only reluctantly, after much reflection, and after tolerating numerous similar attacks during the primary election,” Fors said. “This legal action is now unfortunately necessary to clear my name after relentless attacks by special interests who fear my Miami-Dade County first policies.”
Complaint – Jorge Fors v. Kevin Cabrera, Et Al. by Political Cortadito on Scribd
Jorge Fors sues Kevin Marino Cabrera for ‘lies’ in county commission race added by Ladra on
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