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We don’t know, for instance, if he worked on that Areas Miami contract with the state for concession stands at eight Florida Turnpike service plazas, like the malas lenguas say. The firm is a subsidiary of a Spanish parent company that may be doing business in Cuba. And that’s only a problem for his Congressional campaign, not a potential conflict of interest with his elected office. More importantly, we don’t know, for instance, if Curbelo worked for any of the vendors or contractors he’s awarded millions of dollars to through the School Board taxes over the course of the last four years. We don’t know, for instance, if he’s done any work for Academica, the charter school company owned by the family of his friend, State Rep. Erik Fresen, who at one point had and may still have an office within the Capitol Gains office on Alhambra Plaza.
Curbelo hasn’t called Ladra back since we last spoke about these disclosure issues almost two weeks ago. But it’s not like he hasn’t blurred the lines before.
Remember Genting? That’s the one client we know Curbelo has had, since he was their public spokesman and cheerleader when the Malaysian-New York group of investors wanted to build a casino resort on the former Miami Herald property site that now sits vacant and in limbo (more on that later). When Genting wanted to buy land the School Board owns to build a ramp directly from I-95 to the site, lo and behold, the Superintendent puts out a request for interest on the property. Alberto Carvalho told reporters back then that he didn’t speak to the Genting people directly but “indirectly.” Wonder what that means. La malas lenguas say Curbelo was the one pushing to get a property appraisal and getting colleagues to consider moving their offices elsewhere.
Disclosure laws make sense and exist for a reason. We should know if a particular special interest is signing a politician’s paycheck. There could be overlap or connections to government contracts. It’s not like it’s never happened before around here.
Former Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez is looking stronger and stronger every day.
Because, at the end of the day, we just don’t know where Curbelo’s income — and his net worth has more than doubled to $535,000, as of 2012 — is coming from. We just don’t know who he’s really working for.
And he’s okay with that.
But I’m not so sure voters would be.
Carlos Curbelo hides lobbying client list under wife’s skirt added by Ladra on
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[…] As reported by the South Florida watchdog website Political Cortadito, Curbelo signed over his public relations firm Capital Gains to his wife Cecelia Curbelo in 2009. This means if any Ukrainian oligarchs are paying large sums to Curbelo via his company, the public will never know. As Curbelo himself is no longer (at least on paper) the owner of the company, he is exempt from declaring its interests. […]
[…] Read related story: Carlos Curbelo hides lobbying client list under wife’s skirt […]
Carlito Curbelo la marioneta está ocultando algo. Es un hombre poco viscoso y solapado con grandes esperanzas y ambiciones que no ha hecho nada, pero su campaña y utilizar el sistema escolar como una escalera. Es una mala elección para Distrito 26.
[…] Curbelo is also political consultant whose firm is not required to disclose its clients, as the Political Cortadito blog recently noted. […]
Ladra criticas a Curbelo pero no te veo decir que Rivera violo todas las normas, cometio ilegalidades y ademas violo “el espiritu” de la ley que tanto defiende. Fair and balance PLEASE.
Are you an elected official, Erick? Because if you are, you may be hiding something, too.
Ladra said it’s not illegal. But it certainly violates the spirit of the law. He is supposed to disclose his clients. How can he get out of it? Putting his business in his wife’s name.
You don’t think it’s a big deal? Just watch. I am certain this is not the last we have heard about it.
Love, Ladra
Ladra you usually do an excellent job reporting, however, this story has no substance as his “worst” lobbying employment is already in the open. Don’t scream scandal please, you’re much better than that. Employment is not a scandal, people transfer things to others names all the time, my company has been in my wife’s name for a a long time, her never having worked there either.
Yes, those are the lawyers of which i speak. Joe asked for their opinion.
Some make be shocked to learn Bob “fig leaf” Meyers rulings were often see is nothing more than transparent political cover for incumbent politicians. Unfortunately even though the ethics commission commands one of the highest employees salary budgets in the county today (a budget controlled by the BCC) the department to continues to be perceived by many as the BCC’s lapdog. I wonder why?
Nat a Fan,
Perhaps your reading of the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics & Public Trust investigation into this matter may be of interest to you…as they say, “the truth will set you free”. Then come back and post a more accurate accounting of what transpired.
I can’t Wait for the debate on June 23rd in FIU, Joe’s going to take it, and Carlos will not be able to hide behind Mario nor Lincoln.
I concur with Truth-O-meter. It is obvious that Martinez has substance,experience and integrity. Money can’t buy any of those. It’s going to be a grand slam. Can’t wait. This was a great article.
Curbelo is a worm, He lied to the members of his school district when he supported the name change of Kendale Elemetary to Lincoln Diaz Balart and told the audience that he did not know who had proposed the name change. He’s a F$*@en corrupt rat liar. You’re way over your head little man; Joe Martinez has your number.
Joe’s no angel either. Ask him about the time when he was the chairman of the BCC his buddy developer gave him a sweetheart deal on the construction of his home. The lawyers told him he was only obligated to abstain from voting on that developers zoneing variances during construction. As soon as the house was finished he was free to vote on anything the guy wanted.
Legal? Sure. Ethical? Not a chance.
all along,Joe Martinez has and will win District 26.