Lobbyist fundraises for fellow lobbyist, Carlos Curbelo

Lobbyist fundraises for fellow lobbyist, Carlos Curbelo

Influential lobbyist Jorge Luis Lopez — who everyone says ought to have his own desk on the 29th floor at County Hall — seems to be trying to increase his influence and take it national. Why else would he be having a fundraiser Friday for newly-minted Congressman Carlos Curbelo (R-Kendall). Lopez sent out an invitation […]

VIP lobbyist Jorge Luis Lopez chummy with mayor’s staff

VIP lobbyist Jorge Luis Lopez chummy with mayor’s staff

While the regular Joe P. Taxpayer citizens of Miami-Dade County were begging county commissioners to restore the library budget to what is needed to go back to the right level of services and not to fire police officers and not to increase the bus fair and prices for special transportation for the elderly and the […]

Lobbyist Jorge Luis Lopez and sons wear championship rings

Lobbyist Jorge Luis Lopez and sons wear championship rings

Every year, lobbyist Jorge Luis Lopez and his wife Marile take photos with Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez and his wife, Lourdes, at the mayor’s ball. But Ladra hasn’t seen a photo of them taken together from Saturday’s black tie event benefiting United Way. Maybe he knows Ladra would use it. The photo we did see […]

Lobbyist Jorge Luis Lopez: Civic leader? Or rogue scofflaw?

Lobbyist Jorge Luis Lopez: Civic leader? Or rogue scofflaw?

Lobbyist Jorge Luis Lopez, who is a close friend of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez and spends a lot of time at County Hall, has been on the defensive in the past week or so for one of his clients, Lyft, which provides a ride sharing program that is operating in the county illegally. And he […]

Mayor, Miami Heat bait and switch to ‘better deal’ for who?

Mayor, Miami Heat bait and switch to ‘better deal’ for who?

One after the other, Miami-Dade Commissioners who voted in favor of a new agreement with the Miami Heat owners for the operation and maintenance of the AmericanAirlines Arena downtown said it was better than the last deal they heard about. It’s become like that other mantra: “It’s better than the Marlins deal.” Nevermind that the […]

And the survey says: Ka-ching for lobbyist turned pollster

And the survey says: Ka-ching for lobbyist turned pollster

Well, results for the “survey” distributed by lobbyist Jorge Luis Lopez, one of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez‘s closest confidantes and favorite gala companion, came out Sunday showing that his readers prioritize traffic reduction, public/private partnerships and development at the airport. And Ladra is sure that it is just a coincidence that Lopez represents interests that would […]