The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust will pursue charges of financial misconduct against Miami City Commissioner Angel Gonzalez, who has agreed there is probable cause to sustain the allegations. The Independent Advocate for the Commission filed the complaint (C 09-003) against the politician for failing to report rental income on four properties he owns and leases. A review of Gonzalez’s records shows he has been receiving approximately $3,800 a month in rental income since 2005, but has failed to report that on annual financial disclosure forms for the years 2005, 2006 and 2007, as required by law. The matter will proceed to a public hearing.
In other action today, the Commission dismissed a complaint against Stuart Blumberg, president of the Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association, that he violated the city code of Miami Beach in recent years by seeking to influence city commission decisions without registering as a lobbyist. The complaint (C 09-001) was dismissed for lack of probable cause.
In response to a request for an opinion (RQO 09-12), The Ethics Commission ruled that a former Miami-Dade County department director may NOT meet with county staffers in his new position at this time. The question centered on when the two-year probation against lobbying by former employees may be lifted. The employee officially resigned from county service on March 16, 2007, but because of accumulated leave, remained on the county payroll through June 1 of that year, which is considered his termination date. Commissioners agreed that a person’s county service ceases on the date of official termination and, under Section 2-11.1 (q), no former department director “shall for a period of two years after his or her county service has ceased, lobby any County officers, departmental personnel or employee…”
On a different transportation related issue (RQO-09-13), the Commission opined that since a consulting group is no longer providing services connected with implementation of the People’s Transportation Plan, the firm is not required to file a quarterly report.
Finally, answering an inquiry posed by a state representative (RQO-09-15), The Commission said the Conflict of Interest Ordinance permits him to serve as a lobbyist on county matters while running for the District 11 County Commission Seat. The term-limited lawmaker is currently a registered county lobbyist for four companies and has opened a campaign account to run for County Commission in 2012.
The Ethics Commission was created in 1996 as an independent agency with advisory and quasi-judicial powers. It is composed of five members, serving staggered terms of four years each. Through a program of education and outreach, the Commission seeks to empower the community and bolster public trust.
