The August 18 election is not just for mayor and county commissioners, although that’s what one might think from all the hype. There are also school board and judicial races.
Of the four Miami-Dade School Board seats on the ballot, 
the District 9 race is sucking all the oxygen out of the room. Not only because Miami-Dade Commissioner Dennis Moss wants to continue his political stronghold on the public dime by switching from the county commission, where he is stepping off after 28 years. Moss will make it to the runoff on pure name rec and demographics. So more on that later. For the primary, voters should focus on who shouldn’t be in that runoff.
But also because School Board Member Larry Feldman is putting his name and weight behind educator and PTA leader Nancy Lawther and seems way too interested that she become his successor. Las malas lenguas say Feldman wants to be made superintendent when Alberto Carvalho‘s contract is up in 2023 (or sooner) — and a proxy vote is his way into that position.
Lawther might not want Feldman’s blessing, however, especially if she lives in the district, which stretches 
from Pinecrest to Homestead and hasn’t had true representation in more than a decade.
Because Feldman doesn’t live there.
Everyone knows that Feldman is a liar and a fraud who never lived in a 400-square-foot unit in District 9, but rather in a four-bedroom, three bath, 2,500-square-foot house in District 7 near the Hammocks that he and his wife of 40-some years, retired school teacher Avis Feldman, purchased in 1978. It is quite possible that he decided not to run for re-election because someone threatened to expose this very easily confirmable fact. It is still amazing to Ladra, who mentioned this four years ago, how it has never been of interest to any law enforcement type as Feldman has disenfranchised and defrauded voters for 12 years.
And now he thinks he can hand pick a successor?
Feldman is registered to vote at the tiny Monterey Gardens apartment, behind a Dairy Queen on U.S. 1 
and in the shadow of the Dadeland North MetroRail station. But he really lives in the house on the 13900 block of 107th Terrace which is in both his and his wife’s name.
Two cars registered to Feldman, a black 2013 Kia Sorento and a green 2005 Jeep Wrangler, are parked at the West Kendall house night after night after night. Ladra has not driven by one night that both cars have not been there as well as an older Lexus registered to his wife that seems not to move.
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Two neighbors, including the guy who lives right next door, confirmed that Larry Feldman lived at the house. And a $200 check Feldman donated to Jeffrey Solomon’s state house campaign in 2016, has the 107th Terrace address, according to the campaign finance reports.
Ladra knocked on Feldman’s door Saturday night.
“Yes,” a man asked from behind the door.
“Dr. Feldman?”
“How can I help you?”
When I said who I was and that I was writing about the school board race for his seat, the man said “No, thank you.” From behind the door.
And that was it.
“Hello? Hello? Dr. Feldman?”
Nada.
Nobody said, “Sorry, you must have the wrong house.” Or, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Or even, “There’s nobody here by that name.” Which is what would happen at anybody else’s house. At my house. At your house, right?
It’s pretty clear that Feldman is as guilty as former State Rep. Daisy Baez of voter fraud for knowingly providing a false address in order to run in a more favorable district. He is as guilty as former State Rep. Frank “Socks” Artiles, who Ladra exposed living outside his district 2011. He may even be guilty of voter fraud.
But Baez, a Democrat, was forced to resign from office in 2017 after she was charged with perjury for lying on her voter’s registration. And Artiles, a Republican, was fined, forced to move and embarrassed to no end. His political career never really recovered.
Read related: Lubby Navarro is named to Miami-Dade School Board
Is there a double standard? Because it seems Hispanic electeds are investigated and disciplined for living outside their respective districts while Feldman has gotten away with it for 12 years. This was part of his strategy from the beginning: He knows he never would have won in his own district, where Lubby Navarro replaced former Congressman Carlos Curbelo in 2015. Feldman could, however, get elected in white bread Pinecrest.
Finally, we thought we were done with this unethical interesado when he curiously “decided” not to run this year. But turns out he could get away with leaving an heir apparent proxy in his place for the next four years.
Don’t let him.
That might or might not be the only reason not to vote for Nancy Lawther — even though she also has a $250 contribution from Democratic operative Jeff Garcia, who did actual time for absentee ballot fraud and putting a straw candidate in a congressional race
But it’s reason enough.
Lying Larry Feldman backs proxy in Miami-Dade School Board race added by Ladra on
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How can Lacayo be prosecuted but Lying Larry gets to walk free for 12 years for BREAKING THE LAW and continue as an elected official? Why? Because he is not Hispanic, that’s why. I say lock him up!
Nice work, Ladra!
If there’s one candidate who doesn’t deserve to be put on the hot seat and absolutely doesn’t deserve the negativity or nasty comments, it’s Nancy. She has dedicated her life to education and has been an outspoken volunteer and advocate for raising teacher salaries and proper funding for our schools. It makes me sad to read the comments because your article doesn’t depict the real Nancy and her stellar reputation is being dragged through the mud.
By the way, I’m sure you’re aware that two (2) other sitting school board members made the same decision to not run again for their school board seat – Susie Castillo and Dr. Martin Karp. Now that sounds like a story.
Ladra, is there an official investigation being conducted? What you reveal is shocking and I would hope the State Attorney who is up for reelection will investigate. So many politicians think they can just get away with anything. The double standard is sickening. Has Larry released a statement or just stayed silent? When does he leave the seat?
The Herald picks and chooses what they report on. Meanwhile…taxpayer dollars once again misspent with no oversight. 12 years is long time to go unchecked, just saying.
It would be nice if the Miami Herald followed up on this article. I’m still waiting to find out if it’s truth or Fantasy. If it’s true he should be Prosecuted.
A comment posted here from “Sandra W” is not Sandra West of PTA, which is me.
I’ve seen Dr. Feldman take his time to attend our school functions which I appreciate. But I’d also heard from the start that he didn’t live in our district and that he was only renting an address. The story was he rented a garage on his way to file. Like we all knew but we didn’t know how much it mattered. Maybe he didn’t realize either.
I have personally found Dr. Feldman to be very gracious and helpful during his School Board tenure.
This article is absurd and likely written by someone who wants to defund public schools and reroute what little funding we get to private charter schools. If public schools and public education is important to you as a taxpayer and parent, vote for Nancy Lawther. I have seen her good work and she will defend this district.
It’s only absurd if it is untrue. I am a retired teacher of more than 30 years and can tell you that fraud and corruption in the school district are everywhere. As a taxpayer and parent I believe that if someone took a Homestead Exemption on a property the schools suffer because that takes away money from the school system. I don’t know Nancy Lather but it seems she wouldnt be running if she wasnt asked by the current Feldman. We sure don’t need another fraud. Kids deserve better!!!!
If this is true then all I can say is wow. He may have done good things but what kind of example is this for kids? Teaching them to lie? Cheat? Should be leading by example. I’m sure Nancy is a nice person but she should be careful who she associates with. This is politics and all but Larry asking her to succeed him is NOT the way it is supposed to work. What happened to the voters deciding. She should run on her own merits not be a puppet of Larry. This is why people see the school system as corrupt. I’m soooo glad I’m retired.
Im political independent, but, after all, this is about choosing the best prospect for the School Board, right???? Nancy Lawther is a very qualified person to be in the School Board. The rest is “breterismo”
Agreed! However character matters Fabiana. If Nancy is willing to denounce this disturbing behavior from Larry Feldman, shes got my vote. If not she is condoning fraudulent behavior which I guess you define as breterismo.
Why has Nancy Lawther not denounced Larry’s fraud? I guess birds of a feather do flock together after all. Shame on both Larry and Nancy. Thank you Ladra for bringing this information to light.
typical miami politicians but the difference is if you are hispanic you get removed from office and if you are like larry you keep your job. our government should make sure everyone is held to the same standards. i dont know nancy but if larry asked her to run everyone should think about motive. the whole thing smells bad to me.
I have to agree with whoever the retired teacher is, my children always shared that at events they were invited to he made them feel uncomfortable with how close he would get to them and when he’d “whisper” into their ears.
Disgusting! Im so sick id these useless people. Thank goodness ONE EDUCATOR IS RUNNING FOR THE BOARD, DR. JUSTIN KOREN!!
He’s the ONLY educator that has worked in Miami Dade Schools. Why on earth would someone like Moss, Nancy or Luisa run for school board. The only steps they know about are on a ladder.
I’m interested in the role of the teachers’ union in all this. They have backed Larry since he first ran against an incumbent. Now they are really doing A LOT to push Nancy. What is the UTD up to? And is it really what’s best for the average school board employee??
This man is pompous and it about time that he is dethroned. He is also inappropriate with women and has personally treated me disrespectfully on many occasions with his slick and crude comments. He is a wannabe womanizer.
There should be a full fledge investigation into him, if you can do something this criminal who knows what else he has done to our community??
The Year of Who is Worth for All positions ? and Remember ALDP registered from His brother Apt. at River Walk ? WE HAVE a Broken ELECTION DEPARTMENT SYSTEM IN MIAMI DADE COUNTY CORRUPTION DEPARTMENTS That No One Wants to Fix ? ¡ THE SWAMP ! #OURCOUNTY W/O ETHICS or INSPECTOR GENERAL ?
You mention IF Nancy Lawther wants Feldman’s blessing – I live in district 9 and have been following this race.let me assure you Feldman’s blessing is like all she’s running on. It’s the first thing she mentions in debates. It’s all over her ads. He’s the reason she ran. She had just been elected county pta president and gave it up in a heartbeat when he asked her to run. Your article helps explain why that all happened. I just wonder – WERE THEY SITTING IN HIS HOUSE OUT OF DISTRICT WHEN HE ASKED?
Somebody once told me Larry didn’t live in the district but I thought they were lying. But LARRY IS THE LIAR! Time for his reign to end
I think real estate taxes should be confirmed. If he has taken a homestead exemption on his Monterey real estate that could be fraud. If he hasn’t taken that it means he doesn’t live there. This story should be extremely easy to confirm. If it proves true it’s extremely disappointing. I have a condo at Monterey Gardens and will be happy to help since all condo records are public info for residents that own homes there.
Why there needs to be a change in the State Attorney’s Office.
Wait. Update.
UTD SUPPORTED LARRY! NOW THEY’RE SUPPORTING NANCY! Can’t be a coincidence. I’m done with UTD! Defund UTD!
I have known Dr. Feldman more than 50 years and I know his many decades as a tough and honest educator and Board members with only the best interests of the students, their parents and the entire MDPS community as his number one concern; he takes his holding the public trust more solemn than anything else so I feel your commentary is heavily misguided and misleading no matter which candidate one may be supporting—of this I am more than certain.
Hard to believe you would condone fraud Mr. Gordon. No matter how good you may feel he is or he has done, no one is above the law. These pictures of him out and about living outside the district are disturbing – of this I am more than certain. Maybe you may want to reevaluate you moral and ethical compass.
Hahahahaha
Commissioner Joe Carollo? What about Carollo who does not live in his district? This dude lives in a house and not the apartment he uses as a fake address to qualify for his commission seat. People want him recalled BUT why aren’t officials kicking him out of office?
He should resign immediately and this Nancy lady should renounce his endorsement if she had any dignity.
All I ever saw him do was take selfies for his social media. He doesn’t care about the students, only about the politics!
Never liked him. Arrogant and phony.
I liked your article right up until you used a racist term to define the people of Pinecrest. White Bread. Seriously?
Goes to show that Hispanics are held to a different standard. This man is a disgrace to public schools and what education stands for. He is a liar and a cheat. Remove him.
Great reporting! The people of School Board District 9 thank you.
If the man was a Hispanic he would have been taken out in handcuffs years ago. What a double standard. Typical politics in Miami.
What a FRAUD! He should be in PRISON for this CRIME!
A new low in Miami politics. How can he get away with this?? What a fraud. Very disappointing.
Thank you for bringing this to light. He’s been flaunting the fact that he didn’t live in the district for 12 years. I asked him straight up to his face years ago when I heard he had a house outside the district and he laughed and said it was his wife’s house but he had conjugal visits.
Feldman is just pathetic and his actions are criminal. He should he removed from office immediately for this fraud and arrested!!!!