New Miami Commissioner Denies Breaking Sunshine Law

Last night, Banana Republican spoke with a political consultant who worked on Francis Suarez's campaign who insisted the new commissioner did not have private discussions with his new colleagues about who to pick to replace Angel Gonzalez.The city commission -- down to three members with the ouster of Gonzalez and...

By Francisco Alvarado

November 25, 2009

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Last night, Banana Republican spoke with a political consultant who worked on Francis Suarez's campaign who insisted the new commissioner did not have private discussions with his new colleagues about who to pick to replace Angel Gonzalez.

The city commission -- down to three members with the ouster of Gonzalez and suspended Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones -- will meet today to make the appointment. This past Friday, Mayor Tomas Regalado claimed Suarez "tainted" any selection because he had allegedly spoken privately to remaining commissioners Marc Sarnoff and Frank Carrollo about who to select. The state's sunshine law prohibits elected officials from discussing public business in private.

"Francis never spoke to any of the commissioners," the consultant says. "I don't know why Regalado is saying he did."

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Francisco Alvarado was born in Nicaragua and grew up in Miami, giving him unique insight into the Magic City and all its dark corners. An investigative reporter with a knack for uncovering corruption, Alvarado made his bones as a staff writer at Miami New Times and remains in dogged pursuit of the next juicy story.

Contact: Francisco Alvarado

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Twitter: @thefrankness