Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo‘s war on the new police chief is having all kinds of fallout effects, including two new lawsuits against the city that are a direct result of Monday’s oh-so-special meeting.
And it could cost the city $28 million.
Those are the damages sought in a lawsuit filed Thursday by the owners of Ball and Chain and Taquerias el Mexicano, two Calle Ocho businesses that Carollo has targeted for political retaliation simply because they hosted an event for his opponent in 2017.
Wait a minute, you say. That’s nothing new. We know all about the code enforcement visits in the middle of the night, the way the city kept moving the ball so the bar couldn’t get into compliance, the amendment to the noise ordinance that basically applies only to live music in that one place.
But there’s something new: Evidence.
Know more: Chief Art Acevedo fights back, reports misconduct by Miami city electeds
The lawsuit cites an 8-page memo written last week by Chief Art Acevedo, which was in preparation for Monday’s very special meeting, where he accused Carollo and Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla of abusing the police and code enforcement departments to retaliate against political enemies. Acevedo even says there’s a target list.
Now, Ladra doesn’t know if it’s a real tangible target list, like, on paper with little daggers and skulls next to the names. I’ve asked for it. But so far, nada.
No matter. The chief’s detailed memo provides credible corroboration and will make for a very interesting deposition.
The 66-page complaint is here, so everyone can read it and come to their own conclusions:
City of Miami Sued for 28 Million by Ball and Chain by Political Cortadito on Scribd
The other lawsuit is against the city and Diaz de la Portilla, who chaired the meeting in the absence of Commissioner Ken Russell, and it is filed on behalf of Steve Miro, Thomas Kennedy and Grant Stern, three Miami residents who went to speak on Monday on the discussion about the chief.
Know more: Train wreck Miami city commission goes off rails on Police Chief Art Acevedo
But they were deprived of their reasonable right to be heard when the public comment period — scheduled for 11 a.m. — was delayed until after 4 p.m. and Carollo got a chance to read a long laundry list of sins that Acevedo committed in his past life and posts in California and Texas.
The lawsuit cites documents from the city clerk’s office that indicate eight people who signed up to speak never got the opportunity. And then later Carollo said he was “surprised I didn’t see these masses they were going to move today to defend the great Michael Jordan,” referring to Acevedo.
Well, because the commission made sure that they delayed it as long as possible.
“The Chair knew or should have known that starting public comment late would result in fewer in-person comments to the Commission, depriving those persons who could not remain for six or seven hours or more, to be deprived of their US and Florida Constitution Rights of Free Speech,” the lawsuit states.
One of the people who had to leave is Miro, the former Carollo staffer who blew the whistle on Paellagate, the time that Crazy Joe used staff and city funds to help DLP campaign with yellow rice at the elderly public housing facilities by Marlins Park. Miro was fired shortly after coming forward to report the abuse of office and has a separate lawsuit against the city and Carollo for wrongful termination.
Grant also had to leave but rushed back to make the last comment after he got there just in time. He reminded the commission about Carollo’s past as the city manager in Doral before he was fired there in a retaliatory act. And, he believes, the city of Miami “is about to waste millions of dollars trying to defend a first amendment fight he knows he cannot win.”
Kennedy was cut-off before he could finish and then thrown out after he was called an agitator.
“I want to thank Chief Acevedo for detailing how you, you, and you have abused your public office,” Kennedy said, pointing at each of the Three Amigos, referring to their abusing their office for “bribery, extortion, and corruption,” as cited in the chief’s memo.
“You have turned this commission into an embarrassment,” he added. “You are not public servants, you are an embarrassment to public service.”
The lawsuit also mentions that before the meeting started, Carollo, Diaz de la Portilla and Commissioner Manolo Reyes were seen in a corner of the room behind the dais, huddled close, talking and seemingly violating the Florida Government in the Sunshine Laws.
Know more: Miami police chief under political fire for selfies, ‘Cuban mafia’ comment
“The three commissioners met ‘off the record’ but in full view of the public behind the dais at least twenty minutes before the formal start of the special meeting,” the complaint states.
The purpose of this lawsuit, which can be read here, and which Ladra imagines has to be heard in court Friday morning, is for “emergency relief” to stop the commission from doing the same thing at the oh-so-special meeting part II, which begins at 1 p.m. and can be watched here.
“It is imperative that this Court grant immediate injunctive and declaratory relief to Plaintiffs to prevent Defendants from again interfering with Plaintiffs’ and others’ rights to be heard,” the lawsuit states, “and prevent the continued violations by Defendants of Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Laws, Public Meeting Laws, the First Amendment to the US Constitution, Florida Constitutional Law and other state, county and municipal laws.”
Yeah, good luck with that.
Carollo has promised to provide more dirt on Acevedo, probably including the photos and accusations that the chief damaged his city vehicle (when it could have been struck when it was in a parking lot somewhere).
Get your popcorn ready. Or call your lawyer.
Crazy Joe Carollo’s rant vs Miami Police chief Art Acevedo leads to lawsuits added by Ladra on
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