In a move that surprised absolutely no one who’s been paying attention, the Miami City Commission voted unanimously last week to co-designate five blocks of Northwest 14th Terrace as “Angel Gonzalez Way,” honoring former Commissioner Angel Gonzalez — a man who once pleaded guilty to exploiting his public office.
Because, of course they did.
Back in 2009, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor tied to abusing his position — by getting his daughter a no-show job with a city contractor — was sentenced to probation, resigned from office, and agreed not to run again for a bit. This was after he pleaded guilty to voter fraud in the 1997 election that was overturned by the courts.
Fast forward to 2026, and Miami has decided that what really would bring closure to this case is, get this, a street sign. Because nothing says “exemplary service and achievements” like a criminal plea and a comeback tour via Public Works.
Each sign will cost about $500, by the way. A small price to pay for rewriting history.
Read related: Street of shame? Miami commission could name street for Angel Gonzalez
This resurrection was brought to you by Commissioner Miguel Gabela, who sponsored the item and defended it with the kind of 
logic that only works inside City Hall: “[He] did a lot for my district.”
And that, apparently, is all it takes.
Forget the guilty plea. Forget the resignation. Forget the part where public office was — how you say? — exploited. If you cut enough ribbons and pave a few roads, Miami might just name one of the latter after you later.
Not everyone was buying it.
Resident Elvis Cruz — who has become something of a regular at these meetings — said what a lot of people were thinking: “It just doesn’t pass the smell test.”
That might be the understatement of the year.
Because this isn’t just about one street. It’s about a pattern — a city that keeps finding new and creative ways to blur the line between accountability and amnesia. After all, this is not the first street named after a shady character or convicted felon.
As noted by award-winning documentary filmmaker, activist and political historian Billy Corben on Instagram, we are sort of experts at this.
We have Leomar Parkway, named for developer Leonel Martinez, who was a campaign contributor and a cocaine cowboy who murdered two of his crew. We have Lincoln-Marti Boulevard, named for the schools founded by ex Miami Commissioner and school board member Demetrio Perez, another felon and slumlord who was charged with defrauding elderly tenants. And we have Abel Holtz Boulevard, named for a man convicted in 1994 of obstructing justice in a bribery case against former Miami Beach Mayor Alex Daoud.
At this rate, the city might need a recall program for street signs.
Read related: Miami-Dade honors Alvaro Uribe with another street — as he is on house arrest
Gabela said it was hypocritical to oppose the naming of a street for Gonzalez and be a-okay with the naming of streets for others “that don’t have a beautiful past” — like last year’s baptism of part of Aviation Avenue for restaurant mogul Monty Trainer, who 
was found guilty of federal tax evasion. Trainer, a Coconut Grove icon, got a key to the city recently.
“Is it also your intention, of the people we have given [street] names to, that also don’t have a beautiful past, to now take their names away,” Gabela asked one resident who spoke against the resolution during public comments.
“This man, former commissioner Angel Gonzalez, did a lot of things for my district.”
Okay, Mikey, but Trainer lied on his tax forms. Not the right thing to do, but hardly a novelty. And he wasn’t a public servant abusing his office and breaking the public trust. If you think there was nothing wrong with what he did, maybe we should be looking closer at your office.
Let’s be honest about what the unanimous “Angel Gonzalez Way” vote actually says: Mistakes are temporary. Consequences are negotiable. And reputations? Fully restorable with enough votes on the dais.
Again, this was a unanimous vote. There was no dissent. No hesitation. No one thought, ‘Hey, maybe this isn’t a great look.’
Miami didn’t just name a street last week. It sent a message. Not about redemption. Not about forgiveness. But about how low the bar really is.
Because in this city, you don’t need a clean record to be honored. You just need the right friends — and enough time for everyone to forget why you left in the first place.
Editor’s note: Gabela’s wife, Mariela, is going to say that this post was paid for by their former campaign consultant. That’s absolutely false. Nobody paid me to write this. It writes itself. That said, this kind of independent, government watchdog reporting is crucial to transparency and democracy. And more so every day. Help shine a light on the darker corners of our community with a contribution to Political Cortadito. Click here. Ladra thanks you for your support.
Miami names street after disgraced ex commissioner — in unanimous vote added by Ladra on
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