Maybe nobody had heard of him in Coral Gables before Jorge Fors, Jr., decided to run for city commission. But they may have heard of him at the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
The city commission candidate has gotten 31 traffic tickets in 18 years.
He was also arrested three times in his indiscriminate youth, although he may have been allowed to sign his “promise to appear.” One was for underage drinking in 2003 in Gainesville, another was for open container in 2005 — probably at a UF game — and a third for unauthorized possession of a driver’s license in 2003, which sounds like he probably had a fake ID found on him when Florida Highway Patrol stopped him for speeding in St. Lucie County on the same date. He got pre-trial diversion for the first two charges but nolle pros on the third.
Read related: Ralph Cabrera outraises opponents in 4-way commission race
Fors is running for the open seat vacated by a retiring Commissioner Frank Quesada against three other, 
better known candidates: Former Commissioner Ralph Cabrera, onetime city manager Carmen Olazabal, and downtown property owner Jackson “Rip” Holmes. It’s certainly not going to help Fors for more Gables voters to know that he has amassed 31 traffic tickets since 2000. And while, sure, many of them were in his more indiscriminate youth — eight are in 2002 when he was 19 — he had his license suspended in 2015. We know because he got a ticket for knowingly driving with his license suspended.
The most recent ticket is for running a red light in 2016.
Read related: Coral Gables candidate Jorge Fors had illegal Homestead exemption
Of course, Fors says that wasn’t him. That was his father, who has the same 
name. And, we supposed, Papi was driving his car, too? In any case, these came up under his name and date of birth, not his dad’s.
In fact, Fors (pictured on a motorcycle here from a vacation photo posted on Facebook) has an excuse for everything. This is the same guy who told Ladra that he had a right to claim Homestead exemption on a condo in Little Havana for at least eight years while he lived with his parents in Coral Gables. He said this after he already paid $14,000 in back taxes, interest and penalties for having claimed that exemption fraudulently. So he knew he had no right and still tried to excuse himself.
There are also three tickets for running red lights, three more for blowing through stop signs, three for speeding — one looks like speeding in a school zone — and at least one careless driving ticket. He had no excuses for those.
He also had no excuse for parking in a space for handicapped drivers — twice.
And for someone who drives like he does, he takes too many chances: Fors was also cited three times for not wearing his seat belt.
Read related: Coral Gables candidate Jorge Fors stirs annexation fears for votes
Fors would not return several calls and texts to his cellphone inquiring about the arrests. He ignored more than one text specifically asking about the arrests. This is his emailed defense, in its entirety, for his traffic history:
“As a young driver, I was cited for avoidable things like failing to have proof of insurance or registration, as well as some citations resulting from inexperience but, as a 35-year old father, I can
promise you that I am a safe and responsible driver.
But have you analyzed the details of these citations? I’ve only ever been found ‘guilty’ of three citations my entire life.
With regard to ‘speeding,’ I’ve only been stopped for ‘speeding’ three (3) times in my entire life and I was only found guilty of actually speeding in the case of one ticket. One being dismissed, and the other being withheld. Keep in mind, the most recent one was almost 12 years ago, and before that 15 years ago. I don’t think it’s fair to say that I have an issue with speeding.
With respect to red lights, it’s a similar situation. There is only one (1) red light camera ticket in 2014 for which I was found guilty. I never received any notice in the mail about this one so I don’t know much about it. I learned of it long after they entered the fine and the time to pay it expired — I tried to complain but eventually gave up and just paid it. The 2013 and 2016 tickets were also red light cameras. The 2016 one was not me, it was my father (same name). The one in 2013 was dismissed (I believe I showed that I was simply making a right turn on red), and one in 2010, over 8 years ago, was not a red light camera, and it was withheld.
Anyplace else, voters might shrug their shoulders. But this is Coral Gables, 
where some residential streets recently got 25MPH zone signs to slow traffic down. Two years ago, former Commissioner Jeannett Slesnick — who voted against the reduced speed limit because she said police just needed to enforce the 30MPH limit — lost the mayoral race by just 187 votes after Raul Valdes-Fauli painted her as a racecar-driving speed demon in attack mailers that may have worked.
Gables voters are not going to like this about Fors. No wonder the police union couldn’t give him their support (they endorsed Cabrera).
Following is a list of traffic citations for Jorge Fors, Jr., and dates issued as well as criminal arrests:
- FAI/TO STOP LITE 03/03/2016
- DWLS KNOWINGLY 03/21/2015
- FAI/TO STOP LITE 03/17/2014
- SBELT/DRIVER 10/21/2013
- FAI/TO STOP LITE 08/02/2013
- NO PROOF OF INS 10/07/2010
- EX DL 6 MTH OR < 10/07/2010
- FAI/TO STOP LITE 10/07/2010
- DISOBEY TCD/SIGN 08/14/2008
- NO/IMP SIGNALS 07/02/2007
- SPDING MUN RD 07/02/2007
- SBELT/DRIVER 07/02/2007
- NO PROOF OF INS 06/18/2004
- VIOL ST SPD ZONE 03/02/2003
- NO REGIST. CERT 01/08/2003
- NO PROOF OF INS 01/08/2003
- DL NOT CARR/EXH 01/08/2003
- NO REGIST. CERT 10/28/2002
- PROOF OF INS 10/28/2002
- CARELESS DRV 10/28/2002
- FTYROW-STOP SIGN 09/24/2002
- DL NOT CARR/EXH 09/24/2002
- NO PROOF OF INS 07/26/2002
- SBELT/DRIVER 04/23/2002
- FTYROW-STOP SIGN 03/14/2002
- FTYROW-STOP SIGN 09/11/2001
- DL NOT CARR/EXH 11/14/2000
- NO PROOF OF INS 11/14/2000
- SPD/PSTD CNTY RD 11/14/2000
- FTYROW INTERSECT 08/11/2000
- VIO OF RT OF WAY 07/07/2000
Gables candidate Jorge Fors has history of traffic tickets, arrests added by Ladra on
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I have never gotten a ticket but the red light camera tickets were used to line the Miami politicos pockets and due to Gimenez’s son that garbage was put in .
Unreal that the serpent took credit for removing them yet he put them in .
Many of the red lights had a second and a half of time shaved off the yellow light . There was a law suit which was based on that .
TYPICAL Cuban politicos stealing from those foolish enough to vote for them .
The politicos , their kids and high city brass were exempt from the tickets .
As far as speeding tickets go Miami ( especially Doral ) is full of unethical speed traps , again used to line the pockets of the Cuban ” Cosa Nostra ” .
The fact that he got tickets UNLIKE plenty of city officials , Commissioners , etc is in my warped way of thinking a positive thing .
If you have a family member who is a cop here you know they do not touch the city brass nor their family .
Again , I have never gotten a ticket but seeing what goes on here I don’t see the tickets as an issue .
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” stop voting for the same names ” agree with you 100% and all things being fairly equal I wont vote for anyone who is Cuban and I say this being Cuban born in Cuba but this is truly organized crime
Ladra
If you are going to print one candidates driving record let’s print them all. Also while you are at it please print the present Commission record while you are at it. Let everyone decide based on the facts for all.
Let’s be fair.
Well, here we go. Instead of dealing with the facts about a candidate we turn around and attack the people who openly and not hiding behind a fake name express their opinions. It is a well known and tired tactic used to divert the attention of the voters away from the facts: yes, facts. Why would anyone pay fines for something that is not true?why would an attorney not fight false charges? The answer is very simple, because he did have homestead exemptions for a place that was not his residence. In other words he committed fraud! Robert Ruano is NOT running for office.Jorge Ford IS!!!! Let’s concentrate in looking at Fors and not create confusion. The facts will Not go away, regardless of what anyone says. The candidate committed fraud and admitted doing so by paying a hefty fine. Let’s now look into election fraud. Was he registered in Little Havana when he lived there? Did he change his voter registration to his homesteaded residence?
More to come……..
Ralph Cabrera has no conflicts with Bike Walk Coral Gables… but seriously, you’re going after a great non-profit that promotes cycling and walking in Coral Gables? Search Sunbiz.org & you’ll see Cabrera is not part of the board. He MAY be a member, but that’s typical of Ralph, he’s INVOLVED in the COMMUNITY. Something neither of his opponents wouldn’t know anything about.
But if you were actually involved in Coral Gables, you would also know that Bike Walk Coral Gables didn’t apply for grant money this year from the City of Coral Gables.
Hey idiot ‘same names’. Stop quoting accusations and lies from a blog. I actually worked on a project for the city of Miami last year if you want to know. But I do wonder why YOU hide behind an alias. I think people like you that throw dirt anonymously are the main reason good people don’t want to run for public office. Lately it seems we just get wet behind the ears, ego-driven kids with a thirst for power, er horse power it seems.
Robert, you’ll likely never work as a government employee again with your history. The gig last year was to write a grant, that’s all you were paid to do. Nice try in your attempt to deflect.
This is 100% true information. If anyone is to blame, look in a mirror.
But you’re here to disparage Ralph Cabrera’s opponents. So you give but you can’t take? I wonder what you have lined up if Cabrera ends his losing streak this go around.
And what’s wrong with a little horsepower, are you that anti car in your cycling advocacy!?
IMHO Robert Ruano is an example of the type of characters that is always lurking in the shadows ready to leech off of tax payer money when their friends get into public office.
Stop voting for the same names.
Re, ‘stop voting for the same names’: your facts are way off. They don’t give you four months of severance and a reference from the city manager when you get fired for cause. But that is not pertinent here anyway. the issue is your boy and all his traffic tickets and his homestead exemption fraud. If you really felt comfortable about what you were saying, you would use your real name. But that would take guts which you don’t have.
Thank you for reminding us all what a conniving shill you can be.
Tell Ralph Cabrera your good friend, a founder and member of your 501c3 that gets city grant money (he doesn’t stop talking about it after all) and a supporter of your “urban planning” initiatives and work hello for me.
Not even the city of Miami is willing to spend one more dollar on you. You were F-I-R-E-D! (and so was that city manager).
You abused your city purchase card and were BUSTED!!! https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/city-of-miami-executives-expenses-raise-eyebrows-6545853
If showing interest in the Gables means a history of selling out residents and stakeholders then you can keep the same names!
How many people commenting here are former municipal employees or benefit from friendly govt grants? Mr. Ruano should be ashamed for being such a shill after he was fired from the city of Miami for abusing city finances and now he collects grants from the city of Coral Gables. (Another same name).
If you vote for what you always have expect what you always get.
1) Annexation is an issue….
2) There is no requirement that we accept Little Gables and High Pines. I’m still waiting for someone to show me where it says that.
3) Here is the memorandum prepared by Miami-Dade which clearly highlights that Coral Gables is getting the raw end of this deal. https://www.miamidade.gov/incorporationandannexation/library/reports/coral-gables-little-gables-staff-report.pdf
Little Gables Stats:
-1,196 calls to the police in 2017.
-126 calls related to crimes in 2017.
– 51 calls in 2017 related to situation which poses a potential threat of serious injury or loss of human life which may require swift police action; e.g., assault, robbery, or burglary of an occupied structure in progress; hazardous chemical spill; toxic gas leak; serious motor vehicle crash in which the extent of injuries is unknown; etc.
-64 calls in 2017 related to a situation or sudden occurrence which poses an actual threat of serious injury or loss of human life and which demands swift police action; e.g., seriously ill or injured person, shooting, sexual battery, etc
-107 Calls related in 2017 to Uniform Crime Report (UCR) Part I Offenses are those crimes reported to MDPD in the following classifications; murder and non-negligent manslaughter, robbery, aggravated assault, forcible rape, motor vehicle theft, larceny, burglary. The UCR is a standard method of reporting crime, administered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the UCR Program. The classification for the offense is based on a police investigation, as opposed to determinations made by a court, medical examiner, jury, or other judicial body.
-The memo claims that Coral Gables potential revenue will net $1.1M or so in property tax revenue to the City, but Coral Gables has another memo that shows a $2.7M loss to the city. And knowing how we don things, we are going to overspend and lose money on this as well.
4) Look at some of the services that Coral Gables is promising Little Gables: https://www.coralgables.com/annexation
-The City will be responsible for Road Resurfacing, new drainage, sidewalk repairs, new platting and regular trimming in roads and parks, and new/improved parks.
Site specific regulations will conform to the EXISTING COUNTY CODE (that means Miami-Dade). That means that we cannot force anyone to comply with Coral Gables standards if they meet the code in Miami-Dade (i.e. motels, self storage, trailer park, or anything else that complies with Miami-Dade’s code.)
5) Look at the link posted by CG: https://www.coralgables.com/annexation
“Lawful uses that exist under the code will be Grandfathered.” That means your pay-by the hour hotel.
6) Inconsitancy between little Gables and Coral Gables:
https://evogov.s3.amazonaws.com/media/91/media/132381.pdf
WILL I NEED TO BRING MY PROPERTY UP TO CORAL GABLES CODE?
No, if annexation occurs the City will work with residents and other property owners to adopt a zoning code specific for the High Pines / Ponce-Davis neighborhood containing the basic zoning requirements from the County Code. Zoning and uses that were permitted by the County Code will be legal in Coral Gables. Both the County and City are governed by the same Florida Building Code
Am I missing something? I see traffic tickets from 2013-2016. Is that a dozen years ago? Making the voters aware of facts is certainly not negative campaigning, especially when those facts are documented. No made up stories here. Facts as clear as day.Stop voting for same names suggests we should vote for new names. It sounds good, but how can you vote for someone who has not shown any interest in our City. He registered to vote here, even when his homestead exemption was someplace else. He has only belonged to professional associations or groups that deal with his chosen field of work. I guess he was not aware that we have several civic groups such as Kiwanis, Rotarians, a Chamber of Commerce, multiple city boards and committees, several schools that welcome volunteers, several foundations,etc.,etc.,
What has he given back to the City where he claims he has lived all his life? What has been his involvement to show that he cares?
Has he ever gone to City Commission meetings to be aware of what is going on? Does he know that the public’s opinion is valued by the elected officials? How many times has he participated by sending emails or making phone calls to our elected officials? Where has he been when we have needed him?
BTW, that last picture, assuming he actually rode the motorcycle on vacation, makes me like him more!
Stop Voting For the Same Names… With you 100%
Im not totally with Fors on his Little Gables schtick, but we need new blood and new ideas particularly on medical Marijuana and CG stupid backward dispensary ban.
Still love you though Ladra!!
i just don’t get how you can get arrested and have so many tickets and be an attorney?
Traffic tickets a dozen years ago and drinking at college? That’s it? Ladra, I thought you’d have something real, like domestic violence.
If every politician in the Gables were held to the standard you’re insinuating then nobody would qualify.
This is why our choices on the Gables commission is so limited… the tear-you-down, negative campaigning scares off qualified people with greater experience and higher moral standards.
Gables has a history of recycling politicians. It’s no wonder its also gone through a dozen city managers in a decade, has incensed the country with illegal license plate readers that record our every movement and where developers not the people have a greater voice than voters. And don’t forget the constant grandstanding at our expense on guns, traffic and medical marijuana.
If you want a change in your government, stop voting for the same names.
The voters should vote for someone that cares about the rule of law. Ladra’s article is important to help us decide. Incidentally, the Gables has had only 3 city managers since 2009 – Salerno, Swanson-Rivenbark, and now Iglesias. Any others were interims while they were going through the vetting process.
Wow,Wow! Now it really becomes very clear. If a candidate doesn’t want the voters to zero in on “unimportant” issues such as homestead fraud, voter fraud, disrespect for traffic laws, etc, etc. he must come up with something really scary. Yes, annexation is the topic chosen! Let’s just tell them part of the issue. Let’s not talk about the other area proposed for annexation. They do not need to know how much revenue will be coming from those. They only need to know that Little Gables is going to put additional strain in the city’s resources. They do not need to see the whole picture!
Of course, how can we forget about the placing of unwanted, or not allowed political signs in front of people’s homes? Yes, we can always take them off if they do not want them.
Homestead Exemptions, but of course, we pay the money owed plus the fines. And perhaps the voters see it as making it good.
Traffic tickets, it was at a young age! Voters do not know how to tell how old they were while racking up violations.
Boy, this candidate really misunderstands our residents.
Are there any more skeletons? We are really wondering!