Coral Gables First, the political committee tied to Mayor Vince Lago, reported $36,000 in contributions from real estate developers, builders and contractors over five business days spanning late August and early September, according to a campaign-finance report filed Sept. 11.
The same report shows the committee refunded a $500 contribution from Tim Hyman, a community-outreach consultant for Fifield Companies’ Crystal Residences project, three days after opponents identified him during a City Commission hearing while presenting allegations that several project supporters had used false addresses while testifying under oath.
Six contributions in five business days
The $36,000 arrived in six contributions between Aug. 27 and Sept. 2.
Real estate investor, philanthropist and Pinnacle Housing Group co-founder Louis Wolfson III gave $2,500 on Aug. 27. The Boschetti Consulting Group, LLC, managed by Jose R. Boschetti Jr. and E. Lester Garcia, gave $1,000 the same day. The Boschetti Group is co-developing CORA Merrick Park, a 74-unit condominium under construction at 4241 Aurora St., with Constellation Group.
Jaxi Builders, Inc., founded and led by Abel Ramirez, is the general contractor for the Cassia condominium project in Coral Gables’ Merrick Park district; it gave $5,000. Jaxi lists Cassia among its current Coral Gables projects.
Astor Property Holdings, LLC, which shares the 21 Almeria Ave. address of The Astor Companies, gave $10,000. The Astor Companies, founded by Henry Torres, developed Merrick Manor, the 227-unit condominium at 301 Altara Ave.
AshBritt, Inc., whose CEO is Brittany Perkins Castillo, gave $10,000 on Aug. 31. The disaster-recovery company has a direct contracting relationship with Coral Gables. Commissioners extended its existing debris-removal contract in May and in June selected AshBritt as the highest-ranked proposer for a new disaster-debris-removal contract.
Al Martinez, vice president of Mar-B Plumbing, gave $7,500 on Sept. 2. Mar-B is a licensed plumbing contractor with permitted work in Coral Gables.
The contributions were reported as commissioners prepared to consider a Castro-sponsored ordinance that would prohibit campaign contributions from vendors, certain lobbyists and real estate developers. A separate resolution would refer questions involving contributions to elected officials from people or entities appearing before the commission — including the timing of contributions relative to commission decisions — to a future Inspector General once one is appointed or engaged.
Nothing in the campaign-finance filing establishes that any of the contributions was connected to a city action or commission vote. Florida political committees can accept corporate contributions and contributions larger than the limits that apply directly to candidate campaigns, a distinction the Gazette noted in its July examination of Coral Gables First’s fundraising.
A refund three days after the hearing
On Aug. 25, commissioners gave final approval to Crystal Residences, Fifield Companies’ development at 110 Phoenetia Ave., on a 3-1 vote.
During the hearing, attorney David Winker, representing project opponents, presented videos and witness statements alleging that several supporters had used false residential addresses while testifying under oath. Lago, Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson and Commissioner Richard Lara voted for the project; Commissioner Melissa Castro voted against it. Commissioner Ariel Fernandez was absent.
Winker also presented material connecting some Crystal Residences supporters to a separate Miami-Dade County hearing involving redevelopment of the former Calusa golf course and identified Hyman as a link between the appearances.
Winker did not accuse Hyman of giving false testimony. Rather, Hyman was identified during the presentation as someone connected to people who had appeared in support of development proposals at both proceedings.
Hyman’s LinkedIn profile identifies him with Community Action Consultants, which he describes as specializing in community outreach for development projects, including building public support and assisting with public hearings.
Hyman had contributed $500 to Coral Gables First on June 26. The campaign-finance report listed his occupation as “attorney.” His contribution came during the committee’s earlier fundraising surge, which included a $10,000 contribution from Fifield founder Steven Fifield on June 25, 12 days before commissioners advanced Crystal Residences on first reading. The Gazette reported in July that Coral Gables First collected $134,500 between June 23 and June 26, much of it from development, construction and land-use interests.
Coral Gables First refunded Hyman’s $500 on Aug. 28, three days after the Crystal Residences hearing.
The public filing does not state a reason for the refund.
More than $2.35 million raised
Coral Gables First has now reported approximately $2.35 million in contributions since it began filing campaign-finance reports and about $2.12 million in expenditures, according to the Sept. 11 report.
Among its latest expenditures was $3,750 paid Sept. 3 to Big Tuesday Media, the Miami political consulting and digital-media firm that has previously received payments from the committee for political consulting, advertising, video, email and digital outreach. The Gazette documented more than $34,000 in payments to the firm during the spring and early summer.
The latest filing comes during Coral Gables’ first November municipal campaign. Lago is seeking another term as mayor in the Nov. 3 election against Laureano Cancio and Jackson Rip Holmes.
