Liquor store owner gets it: Carlos Hernandez is a criminal

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Robert Gewanter’s public poetry in neon hit the nail on the head. Again.

The owner of M&M Liquors is already famous for the rhymes he writes on the sign outside his store on Southeast 8th Street in Hialeah.

Gewanter, who has swiped at presidents and senators and world leaders from beyond, struck closer to home Tuesday with a sign that slaps Mayor Carlos Hernandez for admitting to a felony during the federal tax evasion trial of his predecessor and mentor, former Mayor Julio Robaina.

A tale of 2 mayors
Both did the crime
But only one
Will serve time

It’s sounds musical, don’t it? Kinda like a haiku. Only not technically.

But, technically, he is correct.

Hernandez was  specifically by U.S. Attorney Richard Gregorie if he was paid 36 percent interest on loans he made to jeweler, Ponzi schemer and Hialeah Chamber of Commerce member, Hialeah jeweler later convicted as a Ponzi schemer.

“Yes, sir,” the mayor answered.

When asked whether he plans to amend his tax returns, presumably to pay taxes on the income he didn’t declare before — just like Robaina.

“Yes,” the mayor answered.

Gewanter seems to get what none of the law enforcement agencies locally are understanding: That Hernandez is just as guilty as Robaina. Maybe not to the same monetary level. But to the same basic crime.

And he is a sitting mayor. This should make everyone shiver and bring shame to our local authorities — even Gov. Rick Scott, who should find a way to suspend him. I know the guv’s powers are limited to suspending officials who have been charged or indicted.

But Hernandez admitted to his crime. How often does that happen?

Perhaps we can get a lawmaker to change the rules so that the guv can suspend an elected who admits openly and brazenly to committing a felony, especially one he denied for three years.

  Carlos Hernandez, julio Robaina