Julio Robaina, Eddy Gonzalez host Hialeah fundraiser

Julio Robaina, Eddy Gonzalez host Hialeah fundraiser

Former State Rep. Eddy Gonzalez, who everyone knows really wants to be Hialeah mayor more than anything else in the world, seems to be riding this city election out on the heels of last year’s loss in the property appraiser’s race. But he’s not staying out completely. And neither is former Mayor Julio Robaina, who […]

Julio Robaina trial continues with key testimony; surprise?

Julio Robaina trial continues with key testimony; surprise?

Federal prosecutors will bring two of the most interesting witnesses to the stand Wednesday in the tax evasion and fraud case against former Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina and wife Raiza, in connection to their alleged shadow banking business that boomed in the City of Progress during Robaina’s reign. Expected to testify today: Councilwoman Vivian “I’ll […]

Julio Robaina witness list holes: mistress, Carlos Hernandez

Julio Robaina witness list holes: mistress, Carlos Hernandez

Opening statements began today in the federal tax evasion and fraud trial against former Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina and his wife Raiza, in what is likely to become one of the closest watched local political trials lately — and that’s saying something in this atmosphere. According to documents from the U.S. Attorney’s office, witnesses include […]

Hialeah 2015 council races will heat up early in 2014

Hialeah 2015 council races will heat up early in 2014

As New Year’s Eve approaches, everyone looks anxiously to the state and local elections in 2014. But in one of Ladra’s favorite cities, the heat is already turning up for elections that won’t come ’til 2015. And, when you start to peel the political onion, it’s really about the elections in 2017. Make no mistake […]

Subpoenas land in federal case vs. Hialeah’s Julio Robaina

Subpoenas land in federal case vs. Hialeah’s Julio Robaina

Despite all the fresh meat in the political corruption grinder, the long-suffered federal tax evasion and fraud case against former Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina is still churning. Several sources told Ladra that subpoenas were served on several people involved in the case, including City Clerk Marbelys Fatjo and other city employees as well as Councilwoman […]

A year later and nada on Hialeah boletera Deisy Cabrera

A year later and nada on Hialeah boletera Deisy Cabrera

Happy Anniversary Deisy Cabrera. Today marks one year from the day that the Hialeah boletera was detained and questioned by Miami-Dade Police after she was followed for two days and videotaped while she went in and out of the post office, the Hialeah district office for Miami-Dade Commissioner Esteban Bovo — who was later implicated […]

This is how Ladra responds to threats

This is how Ladra responds to threats

After about a half dozen or so empty threats to get cease and desist letters from one angry and unethical political operative who I keep exposing, Ladra finally got one last month. But not from an expected source. No, it was from an old friend, which makes it worse. Hialeah hunk and secret agent political […]

‘Casals-Muñoz Consultants’ open for biz

‘Casals-Muñoz Consultants’ open for biz

Hialeah CouncilwomanVivian Casals-Muñoz may leave her days of notarizing questionable mortgage documents behind forever to become, drum roll, a lobbyist. Casals-Muñoz, who has been a much higher profile pol after her sweeping November election victory, filed papers Jan. 17 with the Florida Division of Corporations to open a new business called Vivian Casals-Muñoz Consultants, LLC. […]