Maybe he got immunity from criminal prosecution when Hialeah Mayor Carlos Hernandez testified in
the federal tax evasion case that the U.S. government ultimately lost against former Mayor Julio Robaina.
But he’s not getting off totally scot-free.
In the very first case where the the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust has enforced the Citizens’ Bill of Rights, Hernandez faces ethics charges that he lied. The commission found probable cause Wednesday for a complaint accusing the mayor “of making false statements to the public about income he earned from a private loan.”
Not just in English. But en español, too.
He’s a bilingual liar.
Read related story: Carlos Hernandez testifies in Robaina trial, admits crime
“Investigators compared statements Hernandez made at press conferences in both English and Spanish in October 2011 with testimony he gave during the federal tax evasion trial of former Mayor Julio Robaina last year,” the summary from the commission states. “At the press briefings, then-Interim Mayor Hernandez disputed reports that he failed to report tens of thousands of dollars in interest on his Source of Income Statements for 2007, 2008, and 2009 when he was a Hialeah Councilman.
Instead, he stated that he invested money with convicted Ponzi schemer Luis Felipe Perez, but didn’t recover his investments and had no earnings.
“However, under oath during the Robaina trial on April 14, 2014, Mayor Hernandez testified that he did receive monthly interest payments totaling approximately $100,000 over the three years, contradicting his public statements. The false account violates the portion of the County Charter entitled Truth in Government which states, in part, ‘No County or municipal official… shall knowingly furnish false information on any public matter, nor knowingly omit significant facts when giving requested information to members of the public.'”
Well, “Duh!” is what Ladra wants to say. The guy should be wearing anti-flaming pants.
Read related story: Checks, lies and videotape in Hialeah
We knew back then at that very press conference, the journalists that were there, that Hernandez — who slipped and first said the payments were interest only to recant that later and say it was principal — that he was lying. TV journalist Oscar Haza had the checks blown up real big for his show and he knew that Hernandez was lying because the amounts were for, coincidentally, the 36% suspected interest rate.
Naturally, the mayor’s response was to attack the ethics commission, calling it a political organization and a waste of taxpayer dollars. Guess (read: thank God) he is not with the majority of voters who expanded the commission’s powers to enforce the Citizen’s Bill of Rights in 2012.
Besides, how can we believe anything he says?
The case now proceeds to a public hearing (save me a front seat!) and Hernandez faces a $1,500 fine for lying. Well, at least it’s something.
Oh, and while many of us may have already known Hernandez was a big fibber, now the label could very well be made official. And maybe more people will now question whether he is lying on city issues, look at him with more scrutiny.
That would be real punishment.
Duh! Hialeah’s Carlos Hernandez charged with lying re loan added by Ladra on
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Hernandez must be shaking! Joe Centorino is throwing the kitchen sink at him! A hefty fine of $500.00 he can pay with chomp change! Lol. Go after him Let ‘Em Go Joe! You sure got him on the run!! Lol
South Miami Mayor Stoddard violates the City’s Charter…LIES AGAIN AND AGAIN
City of South Miami Commission meeting
April 1, 2014 Public Remarks:
“Now just one general item of note um our code of ordinances allows residents of the city and taxpayers of the city to speak at our commission meetings anybody else who speaks is by permission of the chair uh and so please note that for the future”- City of South Miami Mayor Philip K Stoddard
“Point of Order the city charter bill of rights states everybody has a right to be heard and that my friend was stated by Joe Centurino at the ethics committee meeting” – Miami Dade County Resident (takes the floor by point of order according to roberts rules of order updated)
“Please sit” (interrupting speaker’s point of order) -City of South Miami Mayor Philip K Stoddard
“held here” -Miami Dade County Resident
“You Don’t have the floor please” -City of South Miami Mayor Philip K Stoddard
(microphone turned off at the podium) by City of South Miami Mayor Philip K Stoddard??
“Its by code of ordinances” -City of South Miami Mayor Philip K Stoddard
“Yes Excuse me” -City of South Miami Mayor Philip K Stoddard
5. Right to be heard. So far as the orderly conduct of public business permits, any interested person has the right to appear before the Commission or any municipal Board or Charter of The City of South Miami Amended 2/11/14 Page 5 of 39
agency, or department for the presentation, adjustment or determination of an issue, request or controversy within the jurisdiction of the governmental entity involved. Matters shall be scheduled for the convenience of the public, and the agenda shall be divided into approximate time periods so that the public may know approximately when a matter will be heard. Nothing herein shall prohibit any governmental entity or agency from imposing reasonable time limits for the presentation of a matter.
Charter of The City of South Miami Amended 2/11/14 Page 6 of 39
2. Truth in government. No County or municipal official or employee shall knowingly furnish false information on any public matter, nor knowingly omit significant facts when giving requested information to members of the public.
Charter of The City of South Miami Amended 2/11/14 Page 5 of 39
A. Forfeiture of Office. A Commissioner shall forfeit office if he or she (1) lacks at any time during his or her term of office any qualification for the office prescribed by this Charter or by the General Laws of the State of Florida, (2) willfully and intentionally violates any express prohibition of this Charter, Grounds for forfeiture for (1) and (2) will be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Charter of The City of South Miami
Amended 2/11/14
Page 10 of 39
http://southmiami.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=451
Look like in the City of Progress 36 % interest Is OK or Maybe 3% a month sounds BETTER . Only in HIALEAH !