Pepe Diaz

Kicked Back and in the Green

Pork Pirates

They'll slaughter your dinner as you watch — but don't tell the cops.

What Really Happened at Isiah Thomas's FIU Press Conference

Berkman ushered in the new era with the words, "I'd like to personally welcome Isiah Thompson."

Isiah Who?

From the Knicks to the Golden Panthers. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

Letters from the Issue of January 3, 2008

"It's unacceptable that Commissioner Rebeca Sosa refuses to take responsibility for what she's done."

Sex Offenders Set Up Camp

The Julia Tuttle becomes a colony. Politicians pass the buck.

Target Identified

A battle over a shooting range speaks volumes about a commissioner's tactics

Bruno the Absent

He's not around much and he doesn't sponsor many bills, but this chairman's for you

Wicked

Melt this commissioner

The Ghetto Governor

Dorrin Rolle’s dedication to his district is in question

A Shock to the System

Dorrin Rolle’s dedication to his district is in question

Commission Quest

Miami-Dade's most coveted political prize is the chairman's Throne of Power. Those who dare to seek it must navigate the Swamp of Secrecy, endure the Guild of the Greased Palm, and avoid exposure by the Orb of Light

Welcome to Fabulous Tallahassee

Where your humble state legislators work hard by day and play hard by night

Meet Mr. Arza

In four short years, state Rep. Ralph Arza has gone from schoolteacher to powerful politician, and now he's about to take control of public education in Miami

Neighborhood Bully

Think financing a Marlins ballpark is tricky? Just try finding a place to put it

The Cuban Kong

What's $28 million a year and added jobs for the poorest American city mean next to big cubanismo, bro?

Politics & Parties & Power

How to campaign in the new House District 25? There's always Cuba.

Busted!

Greed, thievery, corruption, and betrayal -- the sordid tale of Miriam Alonso's downfall

Sail Away and Stay and Stay

Ramon Saul Sanchez's Democracy Movement unveils a new twist on the venerable sit-in protest: The float-in

Waiting for Floyd

New Times reporters hit the road to bring you all the prehurricane weirdness fit to print

Riptide

New Times reporters hit the road to bring you all the prehurricane weirdness fit to print

Small Town, Big Hell

Election time in Sweetwater is just another pretext for this rancorous city to go nuts

Summons Like It Hot

Animosity is all over Sweetwater like a not-so-cheap lawsuit

Does Miami Really Have a Shot at Hosting the World Cup? Pepe Diaz Says Yes

When Riptide saw the news this week that an all-star band of celebrities and local power-players -- including the always busy Emilio Estefan and Alonzo Mourning -- was trying to bring the World Cup to Miami, we were tempted to laugh it off as a pipe dream.via Wikimedia CommonsWill this envelope say ... More >>

Miami-Dade Makes Push to Host WrestleMania in 2011 or 2012

via WWE.comTwo men in latex briefs grappling each other is often the centerpiece of a WresleMania event. ​We weren't aware WrestleMania was one of those things cities actually bid for, but apparently it's big business and has morphed into a five-day event that could leave a $50 million impact in d ... More >>

Meet Robert Kelly. He Says He Infiltrated Castro's Spy Service And Tricked Miami Exiles

Robert Kelly certainly has the tricks of the spy trade down pat. ​He talks in mysterious acronyms, like "NOC" -- which stands for "no official cover." He refuses to have his photo taken. He talks about elaborate take-downs and ruses straight out of a Burn Notice plot.Getting the full truth is much ... More >>

Is Miami guy Robert Kelly a spy or a wacko?

Robert Kelly certainly has the tricks of the spy trade down pat. ​He talks in mysterious acronyms, like "NOC" -- which stands for "no official cover." He refuses to have his photo taken. He talks about elaborate take-downs and ruses straight out of a Burn Notice plot.Getting the full truth is much ... More >>

County Commissioners Admit 'Errors' in Carlos Bertonatti Case; Bikers Protest

Bart Sherwood passes the grisly photos around the Miami-Dade County Commission chambers.Photo by Tim ElfrinkLycra pants mingled with business suits at the county commission chambers last night.​In the first image, his face is scraped and swollen, his arms are wrapped in plaster, and IVs run into h ... More >>

County Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz Comes Up With A Dumb Idea

Miami-Dade CountyCounty Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz wants to create a slush fund financed by cronies and special interests​You can always count on Jose "Pepe" Diaz to give Miami-Dade residents a reason to impose term limits on county commissioners. Seriously, who is advising Diaz? Scott Rothste ... More >>

Miami in 14-City Royal Rumble to Host Future Wrestlemanias

​Muscly dudes with anger problems and over-the-top personalities duking it out in tight Lycra? Normally in Miami, that results from an argument over premium beach-blanket space on South Beach, but the county sees big money in such activities and is still trying to lure the WWE's signature Wrestlem ... More >>

Yuppie Rambo Richard "Kudo" Couto takes on the C-9 Basin, Miami-Dade's most lawless outpost

​Muscly dudes with anger problems and over-the-top personalities duking it out in tight Lycra? Normally in Miami, that results from an argument over premium beach-blanket space on South Beach, but the county sees big money in such activities and is still trying to lure the WWE's signature Wrestlem ... More >>

Miami Still Trying to Lure Wrestlemania for 2012

​We call men fighting in Speedos a "big fight over prime beach blanket space on the 12th Street beach." The WWE calls it Wrestlemania, and Miami desperately wants a piece of the tens of millions of dollars in economic impact it represents.The Magic City recently lost out on hosting the 2011 event ... More >>

Al Maloof Raises More Money Than Ron Book In Local Miami-Dade Races

Bill CookeWhen it comes to campaign donations, Al Maloof drops it like it's hot.​Raising cash for county commission and school board races in Miami-Dade is like making it rain at the strip club. The more loot you fling, the more popular you are! As voters start going to the polls for early voting, ... More >>

County Commissioners Better Than Dolphins' Perfect Season

​52-0. That's how many times incumbent county commissioners have won at the polls since 1994. And it certainly looks like Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Javier Souto, or Dorrin Rolle will keep that winning streak alive by the time the polls close tomorrow.Diaz, who raised $325,000 to crush an opponent who coll ... More >>

Steve Marin Is A Big Winner In 2010 Elections

​As the 2010 election cycle winds down in the next six days, Banana Republican would like to congratulate lobbyist and campaign consultant Steve Marin for pulling in the big bucks. And if any of his candidates still vying for an elected seat win On November 2, we can only imagine he will solidify ... More >>

Firefighter busted, commissioner goes free

​As the 2010 election cycle winds down in the next six days, Banana Republican would like to congratulate lobbyist and campaign consultant Steve Marin for pulling in the big bucks. And if any of his candidates still vying for an elected seat win On November 2, we can only imagine he will solidify ... More >>

Commissioner Carlos Gimenez Purposely Delayed Recall Meeting

Carlos Gimenez​Today the Miami-Dade County Commission was supposed to meet to set a date for the election to recall Mayor Carlos Alvarez. Problem was only six commissioners showed up, because Commissioners apparently find it OK to act like school skipping children. Which means the commission fell ... More >>

When It Comes to Feeding the Elderly, Political Connections Help

Miami-Dade Commissioner Natacha Siejas​​Today, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Natacha Seijas will wave her nefarious wand to help a longtime county vendor hold on to a multimillion dollar contract to feed the handicapped and the elderly for at least another month. The county commission is set to ... More >>

WrestleMania Coming to Sun Life Stadium in 2012

​Lets get ready to rumble! No seriously, we need to get ready to rumble. It's just been announced that Miami is playing host to professional wrestling's biggest event WrestleMania in 2012. It's not quite another Super Bowl, but hosting the event means an economic boon for the city as well as playi ... More >>

Natacha Seijas and Pepe Diaz Twist The Truth In Contract Flap

Natacha Seijas​County Commissioners Pepe Diaz and Natacha Seijas sure know how to dish out the bullshit when they are trying to help a friend hold on to a lucrative county contract. Two days ago, during the Internal Management & Fiscal Responsibility committee meeting, the pair chided Procurem ... More >>

Norman Braman Threatens More Recalls

​Our mild-mannered billionaire mayor-recaller now thinks he's king. Auto magnate Norman Braman, riding on his successful campaign to recall Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez, is lightly hinting at more recalls of sitting county commissioners unless they follow his reform agenda. However, county comm ... More >>

Special Election for Mayor Officially Set for May 24

​Clear your calendar on May 24 because we're holding an election! The Miami-Dade County Commission meet this morning and, as expected, officially set the day for the election to replace recalled Carlos Alvarez on that Tuesday. Though, the mayoral race won't be the only thing on the ballot. Voters ... More >>

Miami-Dade commissioners are rich!

​Clear your calendar on May 24 because we're holding an election! The Miami-Dade County Commission meet this morning and, as expected, officially set the day for the election to replace recalled Carlos Alvarez on that Tuesday. Though, the mayoral race won't be the only thing on the ballot. Voters ... More >>

Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz Recovering from Emergency Brain Surgery

While the rest of the Miami-Dade County Commission is waiting on the results of today's mayoral and commission seat special elections, Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz is dealing with far more serious things. Diaz, who has served on the commissioner since 2002, underwent emergency brain surgery yesterd ... More >>

BBC Documentary Spurs Investigation into Conditions at "Miami Mega Jail"

In the documentary, this inmate admits to extorting and stabbing fellow cellmates.​Extortion. Beatings. Stabbings.When Louis Theroux: Miami Mega Jail first aired on May 22, the BBC documentary made it look like inmates -- not guards -- were really in charge of the Miami-Dade Pre-Trial Detention Ce ... More >>

Miami-Dade Commissioner to Stores: Stop Selling Marijuana Shaped Candy

​Miami-Dade Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz wants "Pot Pops" out of local stores before Halloween. Though, the only high the candy provides is of a sugar variety. The controversial candy contains no THC, but comes in either lollipop or ring pop form candy shaped like a marijuana leave, while a carto ... More >>

Miami Herald's "House of Lies" exposes a crisis but then moves on

​Miami-Dade Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz wants "Pot Pops" out of local stores before Halloween. Though, the only high the candy provides is of a sugar variety. The controversial candy contains no THC, but comes in either lollipop or ring pop form candy shaped like a marijuana leave, while a carto ... More >>

Turns Out Voters Don't Think County Commissioners Deserve an $86,000 Raise

Commissioner Pepe Diaz will gladly keep funneling millions in airport contracts to his employer. ​After a fantastic performance over the past few years -- from backing a grotesquely bad Marlins stadium deal to voting for a billion-dollar tunnel to nowhere to faithfully rewarding their corporate ba ... More >>