Now that he’s won the mayoral race in Coral Gables, we are going to have to keep a watchful eye over Vince Lago.
Ladra supported Lago over Commissioner Pat Keon because he has worked harder and represented the residents better, especially when it comes to overdevelopment, where he has been the consistent sole nay. But also because he has always been transparent, accountable and accessible.
Maybe he’s too accessible.
Somehow, Lago let Miami Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla — who is embroiled in multiple scandals and being investigated for his shenanigans — into his campaign at the last minute. He was there for early voting and on Election Day and showed up to the party, looking a bit worn and tired. Maybe it’s all that Allapattah nightlife!
Read related: Vince Lago is the new Coral Gables mayor in heated and divisive election
Not sure what The Dean added. Lago had this without him. And now does he owe ADLP a favor?
“Those are issues he’s dealing with and I wish him the best,” Lago said about the multiple investigations into ADLP’s shenanigans. “But at the end of the day, I need to be able to work with anyone.”
Like Tom Martinelli, a former Carlos Gimenez lackey turned into AirBnB’s local lobbyist? He was at the victory party also. What does he want?
Hialeah Commissioner Oscar de la Rosa was there and Ladra was told that former county Commissioner Steve Bovo, his stepfather, was there also. Bovo is best known for absentee ballot fraud in his Hialeah district office during he 2012 elections.
Read related: Alex Diaz de la Portilla is investigated on ghost city employee at Omni CRA
Lago already had some less than desirable people working on his team. And, no, we’re not talking about Brian Goldmeier, his professional fundraiser. Goldmeier is in it for the fee he collects, not favors.
But Jesse Manzano, the new campaign manager for Lago — he and Steve Marin broke up — does deals with professional government grifter Ralph Garcia-Toledo. They pitched a monorail project to the county. Might we find Manzano trying to get transportation contracts in the Gables?
Lago says Manzano is a longtime friend and there will be no conflicts.
“My brother is a land use attorney at Greenberg Traurig and I have never allowed my brother to step in and do any business in Coral Gables,” Lago told Ladra. “There are plenty of other cities that he can work in.
“Jesse Manzano will not be doing business in the city of Coral Gables.”
New Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago has ‘friends’ in all the wrong places added by Ladra on
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