Miami (Lakes) Vice

December 26, 2007 @ 2:48AM

Miami (Lakes) Vice

By Carlos Miller -...

Update: Check out the online bio of Miami Laker reporter David Snelling, who was removed from the political beat after he wrote an unflattering story on Miami Lakes Vice Mayor Nancy Simon.

Miami Lakes Vice Mayor Nancy Simon was hoping to prevent fellow Lakes residents from learning that she was being investigated for a felony, so she drove around town and collected as many issues of the community newspaper, The Miami Laker, that she could get her hands on and stuffed them into her car.

For her efforts, she was rewarded with a lengthy article in The Miami Herald describing her actions as well as how she was able to manipulate the publisher of a local newspaper, not to mention the fact that she is being investigated for practicing real estate without a license – a third-degree felony.

Chances are, she won’t be showing any houses in the near future.

The Herald article exposes how Simon was able to use her influence to manipulate The Miami Laker by having them remove reporter David Snelling from the political beat. In fact, she got them to stop covering politics altogether.

The story Snelling wrote was buried on page 19 of the Laker. He basically stated what he had learned from a segment aired by long-time WSVN-TV investigative reporter Carmel Cafiero called “Lawmaker or Lawbreaker. (Click link on left to read transcript or video below to view the incriminating segment).[video 5156 w=400]

Snelling’s journalistic mistake was that he didn’t call her asking for comment, but nothing in his report was untrue because it is all backed up by public records and magazine ads as well as the fact that she admitted everything in the TV interview.But despite this, the Miami Laker announced it would no longer cover politics in the suburban municipality in northwest Miami-Dade, even though it has done just that for several decades.This decision must have been made after their most recent issue, which profiled Simon with a favorable front page article describing how Simon “in seven years has been dubbed the people’s voice”.

That positive article will not likely reach the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation in Tallahassee, which has been investigating Simon since July when two Miami Lakes residents filed a complaint against her.

Miami Lakes residents need not worry about their hometown rag no longer covering politics (or the fact that they don’t even have a website) for they now have Miami Lakes Politics Exposed, a local blog that proclaims to have “All the proof regarding the Nancy Simon issue,” including documents that prove Simon was trying to sell houses without a real estate license. The blog doesn’t seem to have Spell Check however.

Simon, who was just elected vice mayor last November, has hinted that she would run for mayor next year. But only if The Miami Licker keeps its promise to not write any more negative stories about her.

If you would like to voice your displeasure to Nancy Simon (or if you would like to buy a house), feel free to contact her at 305 979-7252. It’s publicly listed.

Comments

Anonymous

4 years ago

[...] the Miami Laker Posted in December 26th, 2007 by admin in Florida News No Tags Carlos gives us the story Miami Lakes Vice Mayor Nancy Simon and the Miami Laker, which has now resulted in the Laker’s decision to stop covering politics in the town. The [...]

Anonymous

2 years ago

The problem is that everyone in Miami Lakes knows that Gus Abella is absolutely out of his mind. Ask anyone who has interacted with him at any length. The man is insane.

From what I understand, Nancy Simon took issue with the Laker’s decision to run a story based solely on information from Gus Abella without even attempting to ask for her comment on the subject. That’s not journalism; that’s yellow. It’s ridiculous for blaming her for Wylie’s response to the irresponsibility of his “journalists.”

Anonymous

2 years ago

*ridiculous to blame her

Anonymous

2 years ago

Nancy Simon has lied from the beginning. Nancy Simon has abused her power as elected official. She was found guilty of unlicensed activity. She committed a 3rd Degree Felony and was just fined with around $2500 and investigations costs. She received more than $28,000 in commissions just for the year 2005. If you see Carmel’s interview she was selling her neighbor’s house at the moment of the interview. If she has done this as a “Realtor” imagine what else she has done.

Anonymous

2 years ago

No, actually, she has never “abused her power as an elected official.” In fact, even though the malicious idiots in Miami Lakes try to say she has, Gus Abella just got a summary judgment against him on that fact.
Simon may have made a clerical mistake in her personal life, but her service to this town is more than you deserve. She is the ONLY councilmember who didn’t use her political power to give money ILLEGALLY to the last town manager. Shame on you for trying to libel her.

I have seen Carmel’s reports. I also saw Gus Abella’s attorney LIE (skirting his ethical duty–for which he’s getting fined now) on her report saying Gus Abella didn’t have a criminal record.

Anonymous

1 year ago

Click and view http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rn-u6g-__E

Anonymous

1 year ago

Click and view http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rn-u6g-__E

Gus Abella

1 year ago

According to Miami Lakes Councilwoman & Lawbreaker Nancy Simon is it true that WSVN 7 Investigative Reporter Carmel Cafiero try to mug simon ?

If you or I did what the lawbreaker simon did to Mrs Cafiero we would be in jail.
After Carmel Cafiero tried to question Nancy Simon, Simon got in her car and left inraged because she was being questioned by the News Reporter , simon then made a u turn and came at the camara man with her car, Carmel Cafiero in fear realizing that her camara man was in danger yelled . Carmel Cafiero: "Look out!"

In this video evidence the actions, coming at a human being in rage with a car is assault
and attempt.
In this video Nancy Simon lies in Court under oath numerous times committing perjury

In this video Nancy Simon evidence she has NO truth in Government.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rn-u6g-__E

Nancy Simon: "My fear is that I believe Mr. Abella to have a very violent temper, and I do not want to be exposed to violence."

But Abella says this is pay back for his complaint and the Seven News investigation about it. In our "Lawmaker or Lawbreaker" report, we questioned Simon about her involvement in the real estate business. Now she has testified in addition to being afraid of Gus Abella, she was also afraid of me.

Nancy Simon: "She jumped out of a van at me."

Simon was being questioned by Abella's attorney.

Nancy Simon: "I got scared, I thought I was being mugged. I got in my car and I ran, and as I was leaving I thought I heard 'Channel Seven,' so I turned back.

Abella's Attorney: "You thought Carmel Cafiero was mugging you?"

Nancy Simon: "Well, not Carmel. I didn't know it was Carmel Cafiero. I see two people jumping out of a van and I left."

This, despite the fact I identified myself right away that day.
Carmel Cafiero: "Ms. Simon, Carmel Cafiero from Channel Seven. I'd like to talk to you about the status of your real estate license. Have you acted as a realtor since it's been null and void?"

Simon drove off but then returned.

Carmel Cafiero: "Look out!"

Simon never mentioned she was afraid.

Nancy Simon: "I am sorry that I ran away. I'm just so incensed. I can't believe what's happening.

VIEW EVIDENCE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rn-u6g-__E

Is Law Enforcement going to allow her to also get away with this ?

Sincerely
Gus Abella
another victim of simon.

other victims of simon---Lowell Dunn Sr and his family
Mrs Angela Garrison and her family, and plenty other residents in Miami Lakes.