Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who boasted about bringing the city the “Michael Jordan” of police chiefs when he recruited Art Acevedo for the job, has been conspicuously missing in action as the commission attacks his prized pick.
Brilla por su ausencia.
Acevedo’s clash with the commission is a problem Baby X created. Not only because he decided to completely disregard and disrespect the selection committee that had worked for dozens of hours and interviewed multiple applicants for the job to bring in the controversial top cop from Houston, who hadn’t even applied. But because he knew that the reform-minded Acevedo would shake things up. Everybody knew.
Suarez strutted like a Little Havana rooster with eyebrows at the press conference where he introduced the city’s new chief, to replace former chief Jorge Colina, who must be laughing on a boat somewhere in the Keys. He couldn’t wait to take credit for bringing the president of the national Major Cities Chiefs Association to Miami. Now, not so much.
Everybody wants to know: Where’s Francis?
Just turn on a TV.
Know more: Inquisition of Miami Police Chief continues with steps to have him fired
Suarez was giving an interview on crypto currency and Miami’s new profile as a technology hub when his hand-picked chief was getting raked over the coals the first time. He was out of town the second time on Friday, but had time to post an update on twitter: “While everyone today likes to focus on the negative and want to create conflict and division… We made 1 million dollars on Miami Coin… TODAY… think about that!”
Oh, wait, did you think it was an update on the chief. Hahahahaha.
In between, Suarez had two Cafecito Talk shows, one with the CEO of Pacaso Homes — “who recently expanded to the Miami market, bringing the dream of investing in real estate closer to every Miamian,” Suarez exclaimed, a little too enthusiastically — and with the founder of Allocations Inc., a $100 million Miami-based startup providing 230 local jobs, he said.
“We might be looking at our next unicorn,” he tweets excitedly.
Caught at some ribbon-cutting or such fluff event by CBS4’s Peter D’Oench, Suarez, who hasn’t answered or returned media calls since this scandal began, couldn’t avoid being asked his thoughts on the latest twist and turns with his police chief and if he still had confidence in him.
“I have confidence in the city manager,” Suarez said. Twice.
It sounds like he is putting the ball in Art Noriega’s court, because only the manager can hire and fire employees and he got enough flack for bringing Acevedo here in the first place. Suarez is not going to discuss the chief or the ongoing investigation into his sergeant at arms, his advisor and spokeswoman, Soledad Cedro, told Ladra.
He did say a little more after the first special meeting Sept. 27.
Know more: Train wreck Miami City Commission goes off rails on police Chief Acevedo
“I closely followed the commission’s special meeting regarding Chief Acevedo from my office in City Hall as is my custom during commission meetings any adversarial situation between city administrators and the elected leadership that becomes personal in nature is both uncomfortable and unfortunate,” Suarez said in a carefully scripted statement released by his office.
“The city is at its best when the mayor, commissioners ad administrators are working in partnership as we have witnessed over many months.
“Due to the legal issues involved and the existence of an ongoing criminal investigation, I cannot comment at this time. However, I can share that in the weeks leading up to today’s special meeting, I have been in dialogue with city leaders in an effort to address this situation as expeditiously as possible and I will continue actively engaging all parties in search of a satisfactory resolution to this matter. I look forward to soon refocusing the city’s attention on improving quality of life and delivering excellence for all our residents.”
Sources also say he’s been holed up with his special advisor, former Congressman Carlos Curbelo, who is a paid consultant for the city to help the child mayor navigate the real world. They are said to be trying to negotiate an exit strategy with Acevedo — who makes about $440,000 a year in salary and benefits — where they can control the narrative. Part of this might be a promise to help Acevedo raise funds and campaign for county sheriff in 2024.
After all, Acevedo’s real problems began when he suspended Officer Luis Camacho, a sergeant at arms for the mayor, in relation to photographs that were taken of Suarez on vacation in the Florida Keys, possibly by a former police officer and current private investigator, Francisco Pichel, who sometimes works for Carollo and is running for mayor against Suarez.
Know more: Miami still has no new manager, but mayor has new advisor: Carlos Curbelo
Pichel was charged with impersonating an officer last week when he turned himself in after a warrant was issued in Monroe County. He wouldn’t talk about it and his attorney, Matthew Baldwin, has not returned several calls to his office, but according to sources and published reports he was in a parked car, conducing surveillance on Suarez (probably for Carollo) when he was approached by a Monroe Sheriff’s officer. He allegedly identified himself as a fellow police officer on the job.
So, the question is, how long was Pichel tailing Suarez and what dirt does he possibly have on him? After all, Pichel tailed him all the way to Key Largo. And the chief, who knew about the warrant before Pichel did, is protecting Suarez, his benefactor.
Maybe that’s why Baby X is MIA.
Where’s Francis Suarez? Miami mayor mum on Police Chief Art Acevedo added by Ladra on
View all posts by Ladra →
