Oh, how the mighty fall hard: The rise and plunge of Alex Diaz de la Portilla

Oh, how the mighty fall hard: The rise and plunge of Alex Diaz de la Portilla
  • Sumo

First, he lost his pride when he was arrested in September, cuffed and jailed, on public corruption charges that include bribery, money laundering and official misconduct in a pay-for-play scheme where he gave away a public park for at least $245,000 in campaign contributions, paid hotel accommodations, booze and snacks.

Then, former Miami Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla lost his seat when Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended him.

Last week, Diaz de la Portilla lost his childhood home to a foreclosure auction after failing to pay his mortgage for a decade.

And on Wednesday, the longtime political entity, middle brother of a decades-old dynasty, the one-time  president pro tempore of the Florida Senate, lost his re-election to Miguel Gabela, an Allapattah auto parts dealer who has run three times prior, including four years ago when he forced ADLP to their first runoff and lost with only 39% of the vote. Even though Diaz de la Portilla spent close to $2 million.

Next, Diaz de la Portilla could lose his freedom.

The veteran politico is still facing political corruption charges in court for giving control of most of Miami’s Biscayne Park to the owners of The Centner Academy, a private school famous for its antivax policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Diaz de la Portilla faces 13 charges, including 11 felony charges. Eleven. Those include bribery, money laundering (greater than $100K), conspiracy to commit a felony, three unlawful compensation charges and four for official misconduct.

His next hearing is Dec. 11.