By Coral Gables Gazette staff
Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago has received a formal cease-and-desist letter from the attorney representing the city’s firefighters union, following a series of pointed remarks he made about IAFF Local 1210 President David Perez during the July 1 City Commission meeting.
The letter, dated July 24 and obtained by the Coral Gables Gazette, accuses the mayor of making “untruthful, personally disparaging, [and] threatening” statements that “create a hostile work environment” for Perez, who serves as an active employee of the Coral Gables Fire Department and the elected head of the union.
“In my 45+ years in public service dealing with elected officials in Florida, I don’t ever recall witnessing such unprofessional and threatening behavior by an elected official,” wrote James Brantley, an attorney with Donnelly & Gross, PLLC, the firm representing IAFF Local 1210.
The three-page letter, addressed to Lago and copied to the full City Commission, City Manager Peter Iglesias, Director of Human Resources Raquel Elejabarrieta, Fire Chied Marcos De La Rosa and City Attorney Cristina Suarez, cites specific comments made by the mayor—many of them aired in Perez’s absence. These included calling Perez a “pathetic individual,” saying he “hides in the shadows,” “puts out falsehoods,” and stating that he “does not represent the fire union.”
Brantley forcefully rejected that characterization.
“Local 1210 has been certified by the Public Employees Relations Commission to serve as the exclusive bargaining agent for the men and women serving in certain fire department bargaining unit classifications,” the letter states. “Your public statement suggesting that ‘David Perez does not represent the Fire Union,’ is patently false.”
Legal threats and labor rights invoked
The letter argues that Mayor Lago’s remarks may constitute a violation of Florida’s Public Employees Relations Act, specifically Section 447.501(1)(a), which prohibits interference with the rights of public employees to union representation. It further suggests that the mayor’s comments could give the false impression that Perez is under disciplinary investigation—something the union says is false.
“As I trust you are aware, there is a requirement under the Fire Fighter Bill of Rights outlined in Florida Statutes,” Brantley wrote. He also submitted a formal public records request for any complaints or investigations involving Perez, writing: “If… no such records exist, then accept this letter as a demand that your comments suggesting otherwise cease immediately.”
The union also objected to Mayor Lago’s suggestion that “the men and women of the Coral Gables Fire Department should ‘wise up and get rid of David Perez,’” and to Commissioner Richard Lara’s public call for Perez to “resign his employment” with the city. The attorney argued that these statements “were intended to chill employee support for him as a union leader.”
“These comments were understood as a threat,” Brantley wrote. “Federal and state laws protect employees from such hostile work environments.”
Union support and political overtones
Local 1210 has twice elected Perez as its president, a position granted to him by union members under protections outlined in the Florida Constitution and state law. The letter also alluded to what it characterized as political retaliation, noting that the union did not endorse Lago in his last campaign.
“That disappointment does not, however, justify these unlawful personal attacks,” Brantley wrote. “Local 1210 hereby demands that these attacks… cease immediately. Please know that this letter is the only warning the union will provide in this matter.”
As of publication, neither Mayor Lago nor City Attorney Suarez had responded to requests for comment submitted by the Gazette on July 25.
Background and context
The mayor’s remarks came during a discussion of a Gazette article in city chambers about the deferred reaccreditation of the Coral Gables Fire Department. At the July 1 meeting, Lago criticized the union’s president’s public statements in the past, questioned Perez’s leadership, and called for change within the department’s representation.
Perez was not present at the meeting when the comments on the dais were made.
The exchange has deepened already-fraught relations between City Hall and Local 1210, with previous tensions surfacing over budget negotiations, departmental policy shifts, and leadership accountability. The cease-and-desist letter formalizes those tensions in a legal framework, potentially setting the stage for further labor action or litigation.
Next steps
Whether the city will formally respond remains unclear. The letter closes with a warning that “should these attacks and violations continue, Local 1210 stands ready to defend itself and its elected leaders to the full extent available under the law.”
It also urges Mayor Lago to “govern yourself accordingly.”
As Coral Gables continues to navigate complex labor relations amid broader public safety debates, the outcome of this conflict may reverberate well beyond the commission chambers.
This Post Has 11 Comments
Lago is a crazed, power hungry, igo maniac.
Should have never been elected again. His powerful wealthy developer cor, catapulted him to victory. He is a disgrace to our City Beautiful.
FAFO
Does David Perez live in the Gables? If he doesn’t, he should and I will vote for him for Mayor in two years. Lago is a disgrace to the position of Mayor. His little speech was awful, unbecoming, unnecessary, petty, and disgusting. Just like him.
The only one Lago gives a crap about is himself.
Why people didn’t cast him out of office is because he put all his Developer cronies out in full force and the rest of the residents are NOT PAYING ATTENTION! We need to spread the news to all our neighbors! This guy is a fraud!
Typical modus operandi for Mr Lago!! and of course,
let’s not forget the other two that always rubber stamp
all his moves!
Bravo Fire Union President David Perez!
Mayor Vince Lago has deliberately and
incredibly refused to protect Coral Gables
from THE DANGER OF FIRE IN THE SOME
50 LARGE BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED IN
CORAL GABLES SINCE 1992, by refusing
to hire the additional Firefighters need to
protect these large buildings over 7 stories.
The voters of Coral Gables want good Police
protection, good fire protection, and good
trash pickup, yet Mayor Lago deliberately
refuses to hire the number of Firefighters
needed.
Sincerely,
Jackson Rip Holmes
When will all the drama in this soup opera end? We should just change the name of our city to Little Miami!
Lago is an embarrassment.
It’s a question asked over and over…”How did Lago get reelected?” As Kandace state, his developer cronies provided big $$$, and the rest of the residents are NOT PAYING ATTENTION!
Where were all the voters who can’t believe Lago was reelected??? If you don’t vote, changes don’t happen.
By not voting, residents ended up with a narcissistic, childish bully who is hurting the city, hopefully not irreparably.
Lago believes he has a “mandate”, but what he has is the result of voter apathy and lack of engagement on the part of the majority of our residents.
David Perez for Mayor!
Attn: Mayor Vince Lago
I am signed to receive emails from Mayor Lago, and I corresponded with him yesterday, August 8, 2025 and thanked him. Today I noticed my emails have been erased, apparently, intervention by unknown parties.
Please keep sending me emails from Mayor Vince Lago to carmensept@yahoo.com. my phone number is 786-516-4577 and I reside at 318 Majorca Avenue, Apt. 104, Coral Gable, FL 33134.
There are crimes problems of all sorts going on kn Coral Gables areas.
Thank you,
Maria Del Carmen Perez
Coral Gables resident and Republican
Attn: Mayor Vince Lago
I am signed to receive emails from Mayor Lago, and I corresponded with him yesterday, August 8, 2025 and thanked him. Today I noticed my emails have been erased, apparently, intervention by unknown parties.
Please send me Mayor Lago’s email,as I just corresponded with him yesterday and he responded quickly.
Thank you,
Maria Del “Carmen” Perez
786-516-4577
Please keep sending me emails from Mayor Vince Lago to carmensept@yahoo.com. my phone number is 786-516-4577 and I reside at 318 Majorca Avenue, Apt. 104, Coral Gable, FL 33134.
There are crimes problems of all sorts going on kn Coral Gables areas.
Thank you,
Maria Del Carmen Perez
Coral Gables resident and Republican