People can’t believe it. They don’t want to believe it.
Ladra has had several people cast doubt on Maria Cruz, who said the police chief called her and urged her not to vote for commission candidate Ariel Fernandez in Group 5. Some suggested that because she supports Fernandez, she would lie for him.
Ladra has never know Cruz to lie. Exaggerate? Sure.
Besides, other people have said they got the call from Police Chief Ed Hudak.
“Our home did receive an almost apologetic phone call from our police chief warning us about whom to vote for,” said Gabriel de la Campa, a retired real estate investor who grew up in the Gables. “It was as if he were making the call following someone’s script.”
Everyone thinks the popular Hudak — who threatens to retire if Fernandez is elected — is leaning on folks on the orders of Mayor Vince Lago, who did not return yet another phone call and text message from Ladra.
Read related: Coral Gables race heats up with more attacks, ‘paid’ magazine endorsement
“The Chief has been a highly respected and dedicated part of our community,” de la Campa told Political Cortadito, “and it is hard to believe he has been reduced to campaign solicitor.”
Attorney Alex Bucelo, who lost his first bid against Commissioner Kirk Menendez two years ago, is running against Fernandez in the open seat. Lago has not only endorsed Bucelo and raised money for him, but he is making calls and warning people not to vote for Fernandez.
The phone calls and the negative attacks via mail and text message make it seem that Lago and Bucelo’s team are desperate to see Bucelo elected. Voters say they feel the desperation.
Even if it’s legal and his right to free speech — he’s calling “friends” during the Jeopardy hour — Hudak knows it’s improper. He’s the police chief. Thats a lot of power. It’s intimidating.
Read related: Largest Coral Gables residents group backs Melissa Castro for commission
And that’s why, again, he chose not to return phone calls and text messages. Ladra told him what it was about. He knows it’s not right.
“If these allegations are true, Chief Hudak’s conduct seems, at a minimum, inappropriate,” said University of Miami law Professor Anthony Alfieri, director of the Center for Ethics and Public Service (and a Gables resident).
“Moreover, if he’s making these calls in his official capacity, or he is implicating his official responsibilities, then the calls may be in violation of federal, state or local laws and ethics regulations,” Alfieri told Ladra. “The allegations are serious enough to warrant the Coral Gables city attorney to open an investigation to determine if he’s violating the ethics code, federal, state or local law — or even his contract.”
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This guy has got to go!! Just Horrible. I heard many University of Miami students are worried about their own safety knowing the Gables police chief Hudak seems to protect offenders. This new City Manager should aim to get rid of Hudak first if he has any sense or experience.
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Welcome to The World of CORRUPTION in MDC ? We are # 1 !
[…] Residents of Coral Gables are questioning the conduct of Police Chief Ed Hudak as the city’s commission election heats up. Multiple residents have reported receiving calls from Chief Hudak, warning them not to vote for commission candidate Ariel Fernandez in Group 5, who is running against attorney Alex Bucelo, who has been endorsed by Mayor Vince Lago. The violation was first reported in an article posted on Politico Cordadito. […]
Thank you Frank.
There is too much sleaze for this campaign to be in Coral Gables.
Maybe it’s the excessive, outside money?
Hudak will not retire, he is to narcissistic he thinks he can swing the vote.
He did the same thing with his own department, threatening things would get worse if the new Union board got elected.
Well they did so if he wasn’t so arrogant he would realize everyone is getting tired of his antics.
The commission won’t do a survey because they don’t want to know the truth.
It’s very important for everyone to focus their attention on how the City Manager and City Attorney handle what the Chief has done. My guess, absolutely nothing… Nada. If another Chief did this, they would be forced to step down. Chiefs of Police should always remain apolitical and be held accountable for their nefarious actions. They need to be held to the highest standard, because their actions have a rippling effect that resonates throughout an entire organization. If this behavior is accepted or brushed under the rug by the City Manager, then it sets precedent for others to follow.
Thank you Ladra.
Also, I hope Hudak keeps his promise of resigning if Ariel wins on Tuesday. He is far from irreplaceable, and for all we know, our City Beautiful will be safer with someone else at the helm.
I’ll have to agree with Nick in his assessment of Alina Hudak. An arrogant, selfish bitch of the first order. Her husband cannot be, and evidently he is not, that different. Corrupt is as corrupt does…
And Albertico Santos, up on the greasy Lago/Bucelo/Hudak bandwagon. Do you have any proof as to your claims against Ariel? Because there is plenty proof of your pals Lago, Bucelo and Hudak’s shenanigans. Just saying…
Yes, they are political animals of the lowest order. His wife was universally loathed at the County for her arrrogance and narcissism. But karma is, like her, a bitch. Now she is stuck as beach city manager in a cess pool of greedy hotel owners, curfews, and heavily armed urban thugs. Perfect!
Ladra repeats an article implying incorrect behavior by our Police Chief. However, she continues to be silent on the freebie kickbacks that Ariel Fernandez gets from Bachour and others, in exchange to have content articles coverage , without any disclosure.
In your face corruption. Not surprised the Chief is doing this. He did the same thing to the officers trying to leave to the County, which he admitted to.
Ladra, if you really want a true character assessment of the Chief of Police, just speak to the officers themselves, encourage the City to facilitate a survey, and/or better yet request his entire personnel file. It would be interesting to see if the City actually provides you his entire personnel file and how long they delay and distract. It’s a good read in any event.
I hope Maria Cruz stands up before Commission and exposes the truth. This really needs to be addressed, on the record, before our elected officials and the entire Gables community.
Is this the City of Miami or Coral Gables? I can’t believe this crap is now happening here. The negative campaign mailings I’m receiving are nothing short of offensive.
The Hudaks are political animals. Animals. If you want Miami Beach style government, follow the recommendations of the Hudaks.