And Vince Lago hasn’t raised any PAC money in a year
The establishment candidate propped up against Coral Gables Commissioner Kirk Menendez by the mayor and his cronies has not raised an extraordinary amount of money. Not even close to what was expected.
At least that we know of.
According to his campaign finance report, attorney Richard Lara — who announced at the February 27 commission meeting that he would challenge Menendez — reported $47,175 in contributions all in March. And while there are a lot of real estate and development interests listed in the occupation field, there are not a lot of big bundles.
Former Commissioner Wayne “Chip” Withers, one of the people taking credit for recruiting Lara, gave $3,000 from himself, his wife and his company. Land use lobbyist Zeke Guilford gave $2,000.
Meanwhile, Mayor Vince Lago gave him only $100. That doesn’t show a lot of confidence. Or is he still trying to win Kirk back?
Lago’s business partner Tony Newell gave $1,000 and former Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli, another recruiter, gave $250.
Missing in action completely are many of the Lago lackeys who hosted a fundraiser for Lara last month.
Read related: Coral Gables Commissioner Kirk Menendez draws an opponent for 2025
Strangely enough, there is also nada reported in the last quarter for Lago’s political action committee, Coral Gables First. In fact, he hasn’t raised a dime since April of last year. Is that possible? Or is it more likely that he is funneling the money elsewhere? A new PAC? A 501c3?
Las malas lenguas say Lago’s donors have dried up. And who blames them? Not only is he in the news all the time now for his close ties and partnerships with shady developers, felony stalkers and lobbyists arrested on money laundering and bribery charges, but Lago also convinced them last year to pour money into the failed campaigns of Alex Bucelo and Ivette Arango-O’Doski. Now they are on the outs with the new commissioners.
Speaking of loser wannabes, where are Bucelo’s and Arango’s contributions? Even though they hosted a fundraiser for him, they’re not on Lara’s report. Not even Alex’s papi gave.
At least Manny Chamizo, the realtor accused of felony stalking whose name was not good enough to put on the host committee, gave $100. Anibal Duarte-Viera, the bagman for former and arrested Miami Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, who was on the host committee, gave $1,000, but in his wife’s name because nobody wants to be associated with him.
Lara, who gave himself $1,000, also got $2,000 from a relative in Palmetto Bay, but “refunded” $1,000 on the same day he reports a $1,000 check from another relative, a student in Philadelphia. Please. Like were all fools.
The Accountable Coral Gables PAC, which is supposed to be used to advocate for the three charter amendments Lago wants on the ballot, did report raising $50,222 on its campaign finance report. Of that, $10,000 came from developer Sergio Pino and $15,000 came in $5,000 donations from developers Tom Caberizo and Ignazio Caltagirone and former city commissioner Frank Quesada, who is Mayor Lago’s personal bank.
Read related: Cast of losers, Vince Lago lackeys host event for Gables commission candidate
Hey, didn’t Lago accuse the people organizing the recall against him of being funded by “out-of-town developers?” It’s not by the way (more on that later). Is it okay that his amendments PAC is being funded by local developers? It’s not, by the way. Okay, that is. And will this PAC also be used to help Lara in his race?
Meanwhile, Menendez reported raising $14,800 from February through April. Not a single check came from a real estate investor or developer. Not one.
He did get $1,000 each from architect Felix Pardo, tax attorney Tom Wells, the commissioner’s appointment to the charter review committee, and the Coral Gables firefighters union.
And Menendez doesn’t have a PAC.
Of course, it’s súper early. Neither candidate has really spent any money. And there’s almost a year before the election.
The next campaign finance reports are due in July for the second quarter through June.
If you are one of the sin vergüenzas financing this Lago lackey’s campaign either in your own name or someone else’s, you might want to consider making a contribution to Political Cortadito for your own karma’s sake. If you are not financing this campaign, you can still help Ladra out.
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