Carlos Miller
Despite her overwhelming influence that enabled her to silence a community newspaper, Miami Lakes Vice Mayor Nancy Simon was unable to influence the Florida Department of Business and De
partment Regulation, who found her “guilty of having operated as a broker or sales associate without being the holder of a valid and current license as a broker or sales associate.”
The state regulatory agency filed its report on Jan. 18th, 2008, after investigating the allegations against Simon for several months.
Now it’s up to the State Attorney’s Office to proceed with the investigation, which can land Simon in prison for five years because it is a third-degree felony.
Simon received more than $28,000 in commissions from three separate sales since allowing her real estate license to expire on Sept. 3rd, 2004, according to the report.
Despite evidence against her that include a disbursement statement, a settlement statement and a signed contract, Simon told WSVN-TV reporter Carmel Caifero that she is innocent of all charges.
“But, the fact is, I’ve not made one dime off of real estate for three years, one dime,” she said.
Apparently, denial is not just a river that runs through Egypt. It also runs through the drinking water in Miami Lakes.
Also in denial is Roger Reece, the editor of the community newspaper, The Miami Laker. He insists the paper’s decision to cease all political coverage had nothing to do with the fact that Simon complained about an article that revealed she was under investigation.
In a faxed statement to Seven News, editor Roger Reece wrote, “We don’t believe our role as a community newspaper is compatible with the extensive coverage expectations of local politicians.”
Reece is not only an embarrassment to journalism, he is an embarrassment to the community he supposedly serves.
Thankfully, Caifero is a solid reporter. She was the one who last November broke the story about Simon being under investigation.
But it was Miami Lakes residents Gus Abella and Miriam Mendoza who first reported Simon to the state last July. Simon has since filed a restraining order against Abella, whom she claims came after her in a Publix parking lot.
The petition alleges Abella “came out of his car swinging his hands in the air and screaming at her. The petitioner (Simon) ran to her car and left with her family.”
It should be mentioned that Simon also sped off in her car when Caifero first approached her back in November, only to return a few minutes later.
A few weeks after Caifero’s first story aired, Miami Laker reporter David Snelling wrote an article about the investigation, detailing Caifero’s report. Perhaps knowing all to well that she would have the story killed, he wrote the story without calling her for comment. But nothing in the story was inaccurate.
When the article hit the streets, Simon did all she could to prevent her constituents from reading the article, including going around town and removing as many newspapers as she could from various vending machines, doing her civic duty to protect the First Amendment.
Then she raised hell with Stu Wyllie, president of Graham Companies, which owns the Laker. According to The Miami Herald:
“I called Stu Wyllie and told him I can’t have this outside my door. Stu’s a good friend of mine … In town we’ve known that The Miami Laker wouldn’t write these type of incendiary stories,” Simon said.
“I think that’s why David never called me (for the story). Whoever put him up to this knew that if Stu Wyllie found out, he wouldn’t allow that trash to get into the paper.”
The newspaper then announced that it would no longer cover local politics, something it had been doing for several decades. Last month, 20 members of the Miami Lakes Civics Association stood in front of the Miami Laker building and protested its decision, according to the Herald.
Hoisting a sign that read ”No Censorship,” resident Elena Gonzalez said when she heard that the paper was no longer covering politics, it reminded her of the Cuba she fled in 1961.”This is depriving all of us loyal residents from getting the information we relied on,” Gonzalez said.
Just as upset was association member Lee Medina, who said she has been an avid reader of The Laker for years.
”It’s not fair that the paper is being cornered into this position,” Medina said. “I’ve been living here for 29 years and I always look forward to reading The Laker. If they’re not covering the town’s affairs like they used to, what’s left for a citizen like me?”
Graham Companies, which planned, developed and practically owns Miami Lakes , was launched years ago by former Florida governor Bob Graham and two of his brothers. In fact, Bob Graham, one of the most influential politicians in the history of Florida, still owns a $10 million stake in the company.
With connections like that, it’s no wonder why Simon is so confident she will beat this rap.
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6 responses so far ↓
1 Miami Laker // Feb 6, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Thanks for your excellent coverage of Simon’s charges. Just a couple points of correction…
1. Simon claiming “Stu Wyllie is a good friend of mine” is another blatant falsehood she’s promoting.
2. Simon has never had strong connections to the Graham family. Clearly, their values and ethics are totally incompatible.
3. Simon is in denial or again promoting falsehoods if she thinks Wyllie didn’t read the Laker article before it was published. She’s just lucky it was buried on page 18 or 19 when it should have been front page.
4. The egos of a minority of Miami Lakes councilmembers are out of control. Pizzi, Alonso & Simon seem to think nothing of calling the media in a tantrum.
By not covering politics The Miami Laker has essentially cut off these manipulative and press-thirsty councilmembers. Those council members’ greatest achievements have merely been posturing for Miami Laker and Miami Herald media coverage.
The Lakers decision should actually be applauded because those councilmembers clearly don’t deserve the privledge of press coverage and their antics distracted the other council members that were actually trying to get work done.
Thanks for your good coverage!
2 Carlos Miller // Feb 6, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Miami Laker,
Thanks for commenting. Obviously I am not as immersed in this situation as you are, but I think it’s obvious that Nancy Simon has some sort of influence over that newspaper.
As a huge Bob Graham fan myself (I supported him in the 2004 presidential election before he dropped out), I don’t earnestly believe that he would approve of the situation at hand.
However, I can’t deny that he is a major stakeholder in the company that owns the newspaper.
And I hope he uses that influence to straighten things out.
After all, journalism is in his blood.
His older brother, Philip, ran the Washington Post for two decades before he died in 1963.
His brother’s wife, Katherine Graham, then took over and ran the newspaper for another two decades.
So this type of behavior going on at the Miami Laker is totally out of character for the Graham family.
I don’t think the role of a newspaper is to feed the egos of the politicians, but to actually cover the politicians, for the better or the worse.
They obviously can’t handle that role.
3 Miami Springs // Feb 8, 2008 at 3:13 pm
When you call the State Attorney’s office to inquire as to the status of the case, you are told it is with the Miami Dade Police Department for review to see if it warrants further review. It is sad that Nancy Simon can disgrace Miami Lakes this way and get away with it. She is still on the dias doing favors for friends and threatening those who have zoning issues up for review. Not to mention working with the innocent interns in that town. I wonder if the children’s parents know they are working with a felon who is being hidden by our corrupt system of justice. Where are the other officials in that town and why aren’t they doing something about it. Are they on the take as well? It is well known that Natascha Seijas has power over the Police department and the State Attorney, but how far can she really go to protect Mrs. Simon? Oops, that’s Vice Mayor Simon to you. Who nominated her for that position anyway? Why did they nominate her after she was exposed by Carmel Cafiero? There is alot of people guilty of here, not just Nancy Simon.
4 Miami Lakes Politics Exposed » Blog Archive » The Latest: Nancy Simon // Feb 9, 2008 at 6:16 pm
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5 Justice // Feb 10, 2008 at 7:26 pm
After she got interviewed by Carmel Cafiero, Nancy Simon started retaliating against the couple that brought forth the complaint about her unlicensed activity as Realtor. Interesting enough is why the Town of Miami Lakes Town Manager, Alex Rey Panama and Town Clerk, Debra Eastman, played in to Nancy Simon’s false allegations against Gus Abella. What is behind or why did they play along with Nancy Simon?
I strongly feel that the Vice Mayor, the Town Manager and the Clerk should be removed for the sake of Miami Lakes A.S.A.P. for the benefit of the community.
Shame on You, Vice Mayor, Manager and Clerk. I feel that you 3 have not credibility.
6 Marjorie // Feb 16, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I DID NOT MAKE 1 DIME, NOT 1 DIME….Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as “their right.”
Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
Incapacity for Love
Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.
Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others’ feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.
Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet “gets by” by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others’ lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.
Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.
Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.
….
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