The escalating battle between Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago and activist Maria Cruz — who went from close kitchen cabinet ally to recall organizer — heated up another notch Tuesday when the 80-year-old grandmother dared call the mayor a wannabe king. Cruz, a frequent flyer at City Hall and full-time thorn-in-the-mayor’s-side, took the podium — […]
The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust has dismissed two frivolous complaints against longtime Coral Gables activist Maria Cruz that were filed by proxies for Mayor Vince Lago — and most likely at his behest. The first complaint was filed by his fundraiser, Brian Goldmeier, and the second by lobbyist Jorge Arrizurieta, who was Lago’s […]
Mayor uses city email to campaign in his defense Coral Gables activists Maria Cruz on Friday submitted 1,719 signed petitions to recall Mayor Vince Lago with the city clerk, taking the first step to remove him from office. Her group needs 1,649 signatures, or 5% of the 33,000 registered voters as of the last election […]
Timing is suspect; alleged violation was six months ago Last week, someone filed an ethics complaint against longtime Coral Gables activist Maria Cruz, alleging that she exploited her official position as a volunteer member of the city’s code enforcement board. The complainant: Rainmaker Brian Goldmeier, a fundraising consultant for many politicians — including Coral Gables […]