Jose “Pepe” Diaz will bring up DUI arrest, then say nada

Jose “Pepe” Diaz will bring up DUI arrest, then say nada
  • Sumo

There’s a mammoth Miami-Dade County Commission meeting on Tuesday Jose "Pepe" Diazwith items on the agenda about the future of a parcel at the Port of Miami, a bunch of airport concessions and new rules for the luggage wrap services, a climate change status report, several bid wavers, a program to save the county’s avocado industry and even a motion to spend $5.5 million on shoes and boots for county employees.

Seriously, get your coffee brewing.

But the 800-pound gorilla in the room is not even on the agenda: Everyone is abuzz about it being Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz ‘s first real public appearance since he was arrested two weeks ago in Key West and charged with DUI after he was caught going more than twice the speed limit and toppled his bike. Sure, he’s been to a networking event and a community park thing, Ladra was told, but this will be the first time in the glare of his colleagues, contributors and media.

Diaz is expected to make comments regarding the arrest early in the meeting — he wants it done with ASAP and let’s get back to business — apologizing to his colleagues for any embarrassment he may have brought them, but not saying much else. He’ll probably say his attorney told him he can’t talk about it. He will tell the media bugging him for a statement the same thing.

Ladra is surprised he didn’t pull the item he is sponsoring about new regulations for breweries and wineries. That’s going to be awkward.

Read related story: Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz arrested on DUI in Key West

Diaz pleaded not guilty on Monday on the advice of his Key West attorney, Richard Wunsch, according to a statement issued by former TV news guy turned media crisis PR guru Brian Andrews.

“Just like anyone else facing similar charges, Mr. Diaz will go through the legal process, following his lawyer’s advice. He will be using all of the legal opportunities that are afforded to him under the law as he and his attorney work to resolve this matter,” the statement said, asking the media to back off because neither Diaz nor his attorney will be doing media interviews “at this time.”

Other attorneys have told Ladra, however, that Diaz could possibly win his case. DiazDUIDespite a long video that shows his slurred speech, Diaz doesn’t completely topple that much walking the toe-to-heel line that is hard for Ladra to do even stone cold sober. It’s a body and balance thing. And Diaz — whose had back surgery twice — had just burned his leg on the motorcycle’s muffler.

Plus he’s coherent and polite throughout the whole ordeal. Much more polite than Diaz is when he’s really drinking. He knows where he came from, where and what he had for lunch. In fact, he corrected the officer who said he had reported having two rum and cokes. “No, I said one rum and coke and one champagne,” Diaz said.

But just because Diaz isn’t talking about it, it doesn’t mean the arrest won’t come up in public comments. Ladra fully expects members of the Pets’ Trust initiative to give Diaz a public tongue lashing. He has been a public enemy of the Pet people since he first sponsored then voted against their plan. The group been blasting Diaz on his arrest and petitioned the governor to suspend him. While some say it’s unlikely since this misdemeanor had nothing to do with his job as commissioner, there is precedent. Last year, Gov. Rick Scott suspended Longwood City Commissioner Haywood “Butch” Bundy after he was charged with DUI in an accident in which he and his passenger were injured.

Commissioner Diaz apparently began the party at Sunset Grill in Marathon with the Cartel Baggers Motorcycle Club about 4 p.m. Friday
Commissioner Diaz apparently began the party at Sunset Grill in Marathon with the Cartel Baggers Motorcycle Club about 4 p.m. Friday

If the animal lovers speak, then the Miami-Dade Hispanic Police Officers Association will have someone say something in support of a commissioner who has always voted with the police union and all public employee associations. They are so desperate for a better contract, apparently, that they will defend a man who risked taking someone’s life on that stretch of Roosevelt Boulevard. The Hispanic Police have started a petition to  the Governor to not suspend Diaz (which might be the first of its kind). It’s gotten close to 1,200 signatures — which is the biggest rally for an accused drunk driver that Ladra has ever seen. And by law enforcement to boot!  

“Maybe they want to give him an award? If someone had been killed, would they have still created this petition,” asked Pets’ Trust founder and director Michael Rosenberg. “What are the limitations to drunk driving? Free pass if no one killed? Free pass if a commissioner?”  

The Hispanic cops won’t say anything, however, if nobody else does. They’ll stay quiet in the audience. The less we all talk about this, the better for Diaz.

Less certain but still possible is a rare appearance by Absentee Ballot Queen Sasha Tirador, a campaign consultant and political operative who has seized on this opportunity to trash Diaz — most likely so she can run someone against him. Tirador has taken advantage of lazy Spanish language reporters on the story to provide what is made to look like an uninterested opinion — but what she’s doing is propaganda in advance of her campaign. Ladra is thinking that she can convince either Sandra Ruiz or Pete Cabrera out of Doral to run for that seat.

Maybe she even wants to pitch Orlando Lopez, who just won, with her help, an election promoting him from city commissioner to mayor.

It won’t take a star. Diaz may have beaten down a challenge last year with 73% of the vote over a nobody that was propped up by the Pets’ people y nada mas. But that was before he was caught on camera admitting that he had a couple of drinks before going 74 MPH in a 30 MPH zone. The video is much better for TV news and political campaign purposes than it is for the court case.

“Do what you gotta do. My career is ended. It’s over. Whatever,” Diaz says on video captured by the cops’ body cameras, which he will likely vote against again Tuesday. He was never a big fan of the body cams before; can’t imagine he would have changed his mind on them now.

But don’t expect him to talk about it much.

12 Responses to "Jose “Pepe” Diaz will bring up DUI arrest, then say nada"

  1. Why no talk about that parcel at the Port of Miami which is being proposed to create a purpose built deepwater Marina destination for mega yachts which can’t be accommodated presently?
    Devious Mayor’s and their self serving Commissioners at BOTH ends of Maccarthur Causeway are hatching plans to allow Casinos that
    will bring the billionaires who own those mega yachts.
    Say NO to that cleverly crafted and very sneaky ballot question
    that will allow a Casino to happen in South Beach.
    Vote No to Levine,and No,No and No to Aleman, Arriola and Perez.

  2. why no talk on the baggage wrap yet? seriously, that discussion the other day was the greatest evidence of who get bought on the commission. could it be that while Monestime and Levine were obvious heroes that the fact that the mayor stood with them would make your brain explode? let’s give credit where credit is due on this one the mayor is right. The actions of the other 10, Zapata being the worst by far but closely trailed by Diaz and Suarez, with their sanctimonious bs. I have never been so disappointed by so many at one time. This definitely something to bite on, but are you all bark?

  3. Let’s take a look at that DUI arrest and see how it stacks up with the whole commission and mayor’s office. Let’s see who holds the higher ground here:

    Mayor Gimenez- Absentee ballot embarrassment in 2012
    Comm. Zapata- $30k in Harvard course at taxpayer expense
    Comm. Suarez- Absentee ballot embarrassment in 1997
    Comm. Edmonson- niece given special treatment by MDPD
    Comm. Jordan- runs an organized crime ring along with
    her mayor brother in Florida City.
    Comm. Bovo- caught along with his office manager stashing absentee ballots for Gimenez in 2012
    Comm. Sosa- free upgrades and gambling chips on Carnival
    cruises.
    Comm Souto- One flew over the cookoo’s nest

  4. I’d rather keep Diaz than take on ANY of those Doral buffoons. They’ve ruined Doral beyond repair and lined their pockets.

  5. Pepe DIAZ should, and probably will take the diversion program where charges are dropped if he takes the substance abuse course and the state would dismiss the case for a first offender. Carrer changer nonetheless.

  6. Kind of over the Pepe story – more interesting is the Climate Change “rapid response” of the Mayor – seriously, within three weeks that a group of citizens points out the obvious inaction – he’s found all kinds of monies to fund Climate Change and has hired the Sustainability manager that was also demanded!

    But in true Gimenez’s form, no recruitment process. Continuing the message to professionals: Qualify, experienced, innovative people need not apply to Miami Dade County jobs!

    So now we have the dynamic duo in charge of Sea Level Rise – Nothing spells action like: Murley – Osterholt – two white dues from Broward will tell Dade County what to do! Biggest career accomplishment for both? running the Regional Planning Council into the ground!

    Let’s get those orange life vests now!

    • win·dow dress·ing
      noun
      noun: window dressing
      1)the arrangement of an attractive display in a shop window.
      2) an adroit but superficial or actually misleading presentation of something, designed to create a favorable impression.
      3) James Murley

  7. Diaz voted Yes on the No Bid contract that created the Marlins scam on the taxpayers. Plus, Diaz loves money from billboard companies. Lately, Diaz is trying to cover the County in illegal LED billboards. Creep.

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