The lobbyist arrested last week with Miami Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla on public corruption charges — including money laundering, bribery and criminal conspiracy — has given campaign checks to other politicians and political action committees.
Our local campaign finance watchdog Dani Rivera took a peek at some reports this week and found that Pristine DE LLC — a corporation opened by Bill Riley Jr. to, authorities say, funnel money from his clients to Diaz de la Portilla in exchange for a public park — has given more than half a million to other candidates and PACs since June of 2020.
Pristine gave last year to Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo‘s campaign. But that was just $1,000. And it was the only direct contribution. The rest went to PACs.
Diaz de la Portilla got the lion’s share, with $375,000 of the $536K doled out by Pristine going to his two PACs, Proven Leadership for Miami-Dade and Local Leadership for Miami-Dade.
Read related: Miami’s Alex Diaz de la Portilla arrested on corruption, pay-for-play park deal
Riley’s company also gave to PACs controlled by Miami Mayor Francis Suarez ($25,000), Miami Commissioner Manolo Reyes ($10,000), Miami-Dade Commissoner Kevin Cabrera ($30,000) and former State Rep. turned lobbyist Jose Felix “Pepi” Diaz ($95,000).
There’s also the possibility of some cross-pollination with Rebuild Florida, Diaz’s PAC, which redistributes the money across Florida PACs and Republican candidates. For example, Rebuild gave ADLP’s PAC at least $7,500.
Later, Rivera found a $20,000 contribution to Republican SuperPAC Defeating Communism. So let’s bring the new expenditure total to $556,000.
But according to the affidavit for Riley’s arrest, bank records that were subpoenaed show he transferred only $395,000 in three separate deposits from the Centner family — who wanted to develop a recreational complex on a public park. So where did Pristine (read: Riley) get the other $161,000?
And, more importantly, what no-bid contract or public giveaway is he buying?
Well, maybe it will be in July’s report, which isn’t due ’til next month.
Read related: New Florida law gives us less campaign finance reporting, less transparency
As we have learned this week, campaign finance reports are an important tool in uncovering bribes and other graft — which discourages bribery and other graft. Due to recent changes in Florida campaign finance reporting laws, making it a quarterly requirement rather than monthly, treasurer’s reports for July, August and this month are not due until Oct. 10.
“This makes it so much easier for corruption to flourish,” Rivera said.
And that is obviously what the legislature had in mind.
Everyone should reach out to their Florida state rep and senator and demand that they bring back monthly reporting.
Lobbyist arrested for corruption with ADLP gave to more politicians, PACs added by Ladra on
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[…] can’t help but wonder if Riley, who was also arrested, is underwriting this party […]
Covo, Leal, Pardo & Torres all work for Alex Diaz de la Portilla and Joe Carollo, who also control Frances Saurez. Frances, Chief of Staff, is Vicki Lopez’s son. Torres took money from HOA and gave to Joe. Covo says contacting an attorney for the city is not her job. Look at the Dani R on Twitter – she is @MiamiSeda https://twitter.com/MiamiSeda and the Christi Tasker town halls: https://christi4miami.com/miami-events-today/
Dirty Joe Carollo contributed $25,000 to Damian Pardo’s non-profit organization to host his Gay8 Festival on Calle Ocho. Damian Pardo ONLY denounced Carollo on television once he decided to run for office.
Riley was being ordered to buy Alex DLP’s votes. The money Riley was paying Alex DLP also bought Alex’s aggressive support. Riley and Alex were both getting rich from the Centeners and from other grifters.
Vote this November for anyone BUT Sabina Covo. Covo and DLP are in bed together.
Oh let’s not forget our dear boy Vince “Limp” Lago also received money. Look very closely at the PAC report on Dani Rivera’s Twitter feed.
Whether it’s quarterly reporting or monthly reporting is not the real issue. The issue is an informed electorate that looks beyond a snazzy campaign mailer, glitzy tv ads, endless text messages, etc etc and looks at the issues , candidates track record and or character and information themselves as to which interest is backing him/her and why. Though we have some voters like that there are not enough. All the campaign finance laws in the world will not end this circus of graft, incompetence and corruption
Can we get a new item on the ballot to do away with PACS? That would clean up a lot of these underhanded transactions. If I contribute to your campaign do not pass that money on to someone else.
Bill Riley, the lobbyist, was funneling money to Joe Carollo and other politicians to buy their votes. Why do you think Alex DLP and Joe Carollo live like Russian Billionaires? And Christine King and the ex-commish Ken Russell spend money like developers were paying them off too. Russell was the stooge who gave away public park land on Watson Island AND he voted to give away Melreese Park. Follow the money…
Make All Pac’s ILLEGALS , Limit Campaign Contributions to $200. Define in the LAW Donations/Contributions/Bribes . and Make All Of Them Report When Voting in Agenda A Items to Benefit Their Donor showing The AMOUNT Received ! “or” will Continue W/ The Free Land to Donors . OURCITY LAND !
we need more watchdogs to look into the three amigos dealings
How long will it take to put monthly checkups and our state reps to work on this?