Michelle Spence-Jones

A Reprieve for the Liberty City Shantytown

Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones Beats Corruption Charges

More Dirt on Commissioner Spence-Jones

Spence-Jones Looks for Support in Familiar Places

City Hall Stinks

There's a war on Dinner Key, and Marc Sarnoff is a bomb-thrower.

The Price of Victory

“All of these injuries could have resulted in death”

Spence-Jones Faces Indictment

State attorney investigates ethically challenged Miami commissioner.

Black Vs. White - Miami Remains The Same

Alex Izaguirre Just got back from the Spence-Jones Vindication Show in Overtown. The thunderstorms had just subsided outside the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church at 301 NW 9th Street. But inside Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones' angry voice boomed throughout the cavernous assembly hall. She was ... More >>

Best of Miami 2009 Preview: Best Politician

New Times Best of Miami issue hits the streets this week. With this post, Riptide 2.0 provides an appetizer. The main course/entire issue will appear on the website Tuesday afternoon. Best Politician Michelle Spence-Jones She was elected in 2005, and not a moment has passed without ... More >>

Outrage: Police Review Board Screwed Again By City Politicians

Back in the bad old days of 2002,  the City of Miami Police Department had some nasty habits: shooting dozens of people, beating suspects, ripping through the city on dangerous chases.City police averaged 80 shootings every year and killed 15 suspects -- most black and poor. Things got so bad t ... More >>

News Roundup: Commissioner Gonzalez Resigning; Blah, Blah, LeBron James

Miami City Commissioner Angel Gonzalez will resign soon amid an investigation into a job he got his daughter. There's probably a joke in here about his name being Angel while he is clearly not one, but why would we make a joke as horrible as that? That joke would be almost as horrible as the city co ... More >>

Michelle Spence-Jones Surrenders to Police a Day After She's Sworn In

Michelle Spence-Jones​A day after being sworn in for her second term on the Miami city commission, Michelle Spence-Jones has surrendered to police and faces grand theft charges. Prosecutors allege Spence-Jones forged letters, at least one in the name of a former county commissioner, and steered $5 ... More >>

Michelle Bonds Out While Angel Skates

​Early this morning, in front of the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building at 1351 NW 12th Street, after reading from a prepared statement asserting her innocence, Michelle Spence-Jones grew testy with some of the Miami media horde chronicling her surrender to law enforcement officials.When WPLG's ... More >>

Michelle Spence-Jones Knuckles Up

Michelle Spence-Jones​Michelle Spence-Jones, wearing a red-and-black dress, black stockings and no shoes, stood in the middle of her Liberty City home's wood-floored living room.It was close to 1 p.m. this past Friday the 13th. Fourteen friends and family members gathered around her and listened r ... More >>

Michelle Spence-Jones May Run in Special Election

So, Miami will hold a special election to fill the seat that Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones was booted from after turning herself in for grand theft charges a day after she was sworn in for her second term. And you'll never guess who's considering a run: Michelle Spence-Jones! Spence-Jones ... More >>

Is suspended Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones a victim of racism?

So, Miami will hold a special election to fill the seat that Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones was booted from after turning herself in for grand theft charges a day after she was sworn in for her second term. And you'll never guess who's considering a run: Michelle Spence-Jones! Spence-Jones ... More >>

News Roundup: Is Michelle Spence-Jones Team Edward or Team Jacob?

Michelle Spence-Jones will run for the commission seat she just got kicked out of. [Herald]President Obama answered a Cuban dissident blogger's questions. [NBCMiami]The Miami Herald's website has a special section devoted to The Twilight Saga: New Moon: Erotic Literature for Teenage Girls. Hey, ... More >>

We Wait With Bated Breath for Michelle Spence-Jones's Next Acceptance Speech

​The best part about suspended City of Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones's preordained re-election to her vacated seat is this: She'll be able to make another acceptance speech.Her defiant diatribe a few weeks ago -- when she took office moments before being cuffed and booked on grand theft ... More >>

Miami readies for another Michelle Spence-Jones acceptance speech

​The best part about suspended City of Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones's preordained re-election to her vacated seat is this: She'll be able to make another acceptance speech.Her defiant diatribe a few weeks ago -- when she took office moments before being cuffed and booked on grand theft ... More >>

News Roundup: Hurricanes Basketball Remains Undefeated

A truck driver got trapped between his rig and a forklift while unloading caskets. He was hurt, but luckily he probably won't be needing one of those caskets. He's in stable condition at a hospital. [CBS4]Headline presented with out commentary: "Michelle Spence-Jones pleads not guilty; loses Faceboo ... More >>

Personal Loans Outpace Campaign Contributions For Miami Special Election Candidates

By Alex Izaguirre​With less than a month to go in Miami's upcoming special election for the two city commission seats left open by the removal Michelle Spence-Jones and Angel Gonzalez, some of the candidates are relying on their own cash rather than hitting up people for campaign contributions.Mig ... More >>

News Roundup: Son Burns Mom to Death

A 24-year-old burned his mother to death in Northwest Dade. He took off in a stolen public works truck, a police chase ensued, and he was shot and later died. [JustNews]Michelle Spence-Jones is still preparing for re-election and plans to sue Charlie Crist while she's at it. [WSVN]Cops in the Keys c ... More >>

Labeling Michelle Spence-Jones a Shameless Crook Is the Easy Way Out

Even before she was arrested and suspended from office this past November 13, MichelleMichelle Spence-Jones does not need to be ashamed because she chooses to fight for her seat and her innocence.​ Spence-Jones let everyone know she would not go out without a fight. No one has forgotten how s ... More >>

Miami Election: Low Turnout Expected, Spence-Jones Chases Last Minute Voters

At noon today, Michelle Spence-Jones was at her Liberty City headquarters furiously calling supporters to come out and vote for her.Again. The message to her troops regarding today's hotly contested Miami City Commission election.was clear: "I just don't want nobody sitting around doing nothing aro ... More >>

Spence-Jones Won't Be Suspended for at Least Four Days

Photo by Erik MazaMichelle Spence-Jones talks to the press after she was declared the winner with 53 percent of the vote.​Click here to view photos as we followed Michelle Spence-Jones on campaign day.The morning after suspended Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones won a special election and d ... More >>

Crist Suspends Michelle Spence-Jones, Again

​Charlie Crist isn't even going to wait until Michelle Spence-Jones is sworn in again. He has already pulled the trigger on resuspension.Miami city Commissioner Spence-Jones turned herself in on November 13 on charges that she siphoned $50,000 of county money to a family business. Crist swiftly su ... More >>

Spence-Jones to Guv: See You In Court

After today's executive order suspending her again, the next big date in the Michelle Spence-Jones saga is Tuesday afternoon.  Erik MazaSpence-Jones at a victory rally after being re-elected as District 5 commissioner. ​Earlier this week, Spence-Jones' attorneys asked a Miami-Dade judge for a ... More >>

Spence-Jones to Miami Herald: I Did Not Compare Myself to MLK

Michelle Spence-Jones is not taking her latest suspension from the Miami City Commission quietly.The District 5 commissioner has taken aim at her two biggest adversaries -- Gov. Charlie Crist, who suspended her again yesterday, and the Miami Herald, which has oft criticized her attempts to keep her ... More >>

ACLU Jumps Into Michelle Spence-Jones vs. Charlie Crist Fight

​The American Civil Liberties Union has jumped into the ongoing Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones saga on behalf of five voters in her district. Just days after being re-elected in November, Spence-Jones turned herself in on charges of grand theft after accusations she stole money from t ... More >>

In Spence-Jones Soap Opera, a One-Month Commercial Break

​It's now two strikes for pugnacious Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones. A Miami-Dade County judge today dismissed her temporary injunction against Charlie Crist's suspension, setting February 12 as the day when she'll actually decide if the Governor's action is constitutional. A half hour later o ... More >>

City Commission to Name Spence-Jones Replacement

​The Miami City Commission is expected to name a replacement for embattled commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones's District 5 seat tomorrow, according to the Miami Herald. Spence-Jones was re-elected in November just days before turning herself in on charges of funneling county money to a f ... More >>

Spence-Jones Also-Rans Lobby Commissioners

​City commissioners will appoint someone today to fill Michelle Spence-Jones's empty District 5 seat. But the jockeying to replace the suspended commish was well under way Monday. David Chiverton and Dufirstson Neree, losing candidates in the election, made the rounds at city hall, pitching themse ... More >>

After Eviction, Spence-Jones's Liberty City Cafe Is for Rent

​Sometimes Riptide likes to reminisce about our long and circuitous relationship with Michelle Spence-Jones. Like the good ol' days, last June, when she was still Overtown/Liberty City commissioner and we were trying to track her down for comment about her involvement in the case of since-convicte ... More >>

Suspended Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones's Café Soul gets evicted

​Sometimes Riptide likes to reminisce about our long and circuitous relationship with Michelle Spence-Jones. Like the good ol' days, last June, when she was still Overtown/Liberty City commissioner and we were trying to track her down for comment about her involvement in the case of since-convicte ... More >>

Rebuild Liberty City and Overtown Instead of Tearing Down City Commissioners

Uncle Luke, the man whose booty-shaking madness once made the U.S. Supreme Court stand up for free speech, gets as nasty as he wants to be for Miami New Times. Up this week, Luke assesses the latest criminal charges against his pal Michelle Spence-Jones and what he would do to fix Overtown and Liber ... More >>

Take down slums, not politicians like Michelle Spence-Jones

Uncle Luke, the man whose booty-shaking madness once made the U.S. Supreme Court stand up for free speech, gets as nasty as he wants to be for Miami New Times. Up this week, Luke assesses the latest criminal charges against his pal Michelle Spence-Jones and what he would do to fix Overtown and Liber ... More >>

News Roundup: Man Stabs Landlord

A bloodied man drove to a Doral police station to let them know he'd stabbed his landlord. The victim, a neighbor, was found a live and taken to the hospital. [Herald]Michelle Spence-Jones heads back to court today for her arraignment on bribery charges. [CBS4]Requirements for the Bright Futures sch ... More >>

Spence-Jones Arraigned, Supreme Court Lawyer Bruce Rogow Calls Indictment 'Hogwash'

Michelle Spence-Jones did not enter a plea today on the latest bribery charges brought against her. Instead, she asked the court to dismiss them for being too vague. ​Two weeks ago, when she was arrested again for allegedly soliciting money from a local developer, readers responded in typically m ... More >>

Best of Miami 2010: Best Quote

In anticipation of the upcoming Best of Miami issue hitting newsstands June 17, here is a sneak peek at one category and its winner.Photo by Erik MazaMichelle Spence-Jones (center)​"They don't know this nappy-headed child of God has her armor on!"Wonky TV dramas have nothing on the real-life soap ... More >>

Barbara Carey-Shuler Admits She Ok'd $50,000 For Michelle Spence-Jones

Barbara Carey-Shuler, aka Ms. Oh-I-Guess-I-Did-Write-That-Letter.​Last November, Barbara Carey-Shuler was the reason the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office charged then-Miami City Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones with grand theft of $50,000 in county grants that went to a now defunct family busi ... More >>

Katherine Fernandez Rundle Mum On Barbara Carey-Shuler's Reversal

​Miami-Dade's top cop is great at putting on a show for the local press corps. Flanked by her public corruption lieutenants and other law enforcers this past November 13, Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle stood before a roomful of reporters to announce the arrest of then-Miami c ... More >>

Surprise, Surprise, Michelle Spence-Jones Is Innocent

​Uncle Luke, the man whose booty-shaking madness once made the U.S. Supreme Court stand up for free speech, gets as nasty as he wants to be for Miami New Times. This week, Luke revisits the ongoing saga of suspended Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones.Turns out Michelle Spence-Jones was telli ... More >>

Michelle Spence-Jones is innocent, dummy!

​Uncle Luke, the man whose booty-shaking madness once made the U.S. Supreme Court stand up for free speech, gets as nasty as he wants to be for Miami New Times. This week, Luke revisits the ongoing saga of suspended Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones.Turns out Michelle Spence-Jones was telli ... More >>

A look ahead: predicting 2011 headlines

​Uncle Luke, the man whose booty-shaking madness once made the U.S. Supreme Court stand up for free speech, gets as nasty as he wants to be for Miami New Times. This week, Luke revisits the ongoing saga of suspended Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones.Turns out Michelle Spence-Jones was telli ... More >>

Michelle Spence-Jones Trial Begins Today

Michelle Spence-Jones gets her day in court. ​The Michelle Spence-Jones public corruption saga is entering its final act. Her trial on grand theft and bribery charges begins today.Since her initial arrest in November 2009, days following her reelection to the Miami City Commission, Spence-Jones h ... More >>

We Sure Know How to Pick The Best Politicians!

2009's Best Politician Michelle Spence-Jones​Next week, this year's Best of Miami issue hits the stands. So you know what that means! It's that time of year we pick a kick-ass politician who'll end up getting kicked out of office! Getting named Best Politician is like an endorsement from The Miami ... More >>

Michelle Spence-Jones nails Fred Grimm, Michael Putney

2009's Best Politician Michelle Spence-Jones​Next week, this year's Best of Miami issue hits the stands. So you know what that means! It's that time of year we pick a kick-ass politician who'll end up getting kicked out of office! Getting named Best Politician is like an endorsement from The Miami ... More >>

Miguel Exposito Fired by City Commission UPDATED

​See ya, Expo! Miami's finest reality-show filming, mayor-baiting police chief catastrophe is officially looking for a new job thanks to Michelle Spence-Jones's vote.MSJ evidently decided her district's outrage over the Miami Police Department's wave of seven fatal cop-involved shootings this past ... More >>

Michelle Spence-Jones Sued For Allegedly Sabotaging Liberty City Project In Kickback Scheme UPDATED

​Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones beat bribery and grand theft charges, and returned to office. Now we'll see if she proves as invincible in civil court. Two former witnesses in the criminal case, who claimed that she used forgery to divert a $25,000 grant that was supposed to go to their ... More >>