FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A Fort Lauderdale resident told Local 10 News he was confused after receiving a Spanish-language political flyer from a former city commissioner trashing Broward County’s state attorney.
That’s because it wasn’t from a Fort Lauderdale, or even Broward County, commissioner; instead, it was sent by a political action committee controlled by former Miami City Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla.
“Didn’t know what to think of it,” Alfredo Olvera said. “None of our commissioners here in Broward County have Hispanic names.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Diaz de la Portilla from office after the longtime Miami politician was charged with a host of felonies for alleged corruption last month. He’s now trying to get his District 1 seat back, running in the November election.
Broward County State Attorney Harold Pryor filed the case against Diaz de la Portilla, and the former commissioner has been attacking him ever since, calling the charges a “work of fiction.”
The mailer, sent by Proven Leadership for Miami-Dade County, calls Pryor a “liar” who attacks and defames Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla. Residents believe that only people with Spanish last names were sent the flyer.
Diaz de la Portilla is listed as chair, president and registered agent of Proven Leadership for Miami-Dade County, according to public records.
His opponents argue that the mailer is typical behavior for Diaz de la Portilla.
“It’s not surprising,” opponent Marvin Tapia said. “He tries to deflect. He hasn’t done anything in four years.”
Opponent Miguel Angel Gabela told Local 10 News the former commissioner is “known for spinning.”
Gabela said he’s been the target of similar flyers.
Meanwhile, Diaz de la Portilla is standing by the flyers. Not mincing words, he released a statement to Local 10 News on Thursday, continuing to disparage Pryor.
“He is a piece of crap and people need to know who he really is,” Diaz de la Portilla said. “I will make sure that happens. A liar, hypocrite and defamer and I have the evidence to prove it.”
A spokesperson for Pryor’s office, when asked for comment about the mailer, noted that DeSantis specifically assigned the case to Pryor after Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle recused herself from the case.
DeSantis, like Diaz de la Portilla, is a Republican and Pryor is a Democrat.
The investigation into the then-commissioner was handled in part by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
“Like every other case our office is assigned to handle, our assistant state attorneys will prosecute the case in the courtroom and the justice system,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
Diaz de la Portilla is facing charges alongside an associate, attorney William Riley Jr., who has also denied any wrongdoing in the matter.