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Tabla de Contenido/ Table of Contents
- 1 José (Pepe) Díaz: A Past Marked by Controversy and Inefficiency and Ineffectiveness in Miami-Dade and Sweetwater
- 2 📅 Chronology of José “Pepe” Díaz in Public Office
- 3 A Candidate Who Evidently Does Not Deserve to Return to Power
José (Pepe) Díaz: A Past Marked by Controversy and Inefficiency and Ineffectiveness in Miami-Dade and Sweetwater
The political career of José “Pepe” Díaz, former Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Commission and current Mayor of Sweetwater, has been marked by scandals, administrative inefficiencies, and controversies that continue to affect county residents. Now, with his intention to run again for a high-level position in the county, it is crucial to review his history of poor management and harmful decisions that have negatively impacted the community.
A Legacy of Inefficiency and Ineffectiveness in Miami-Dade
As Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Commission, Díaz was responsible for overseeing multiple administrative and financial decisions that resulted in serious inefficiencies. One of the most critical reports on his tenure is the Inspector General’s (OIG) audit, which uncovered major failures in the administration of emergency contracts and contractor payments under Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and the Commission led by Díaz.
📌 Key Findings from OIG Audit IG20-0005-A (2022):
| Issue Detected | Report Page | Impact on the Community |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of transparency in emergency contracts | Page 11 | Contracts were awarded without proper documentation, increasing the risk of corruption. |
| Delays in reporting contract awards | Page 13 | Some contracts were reported up to 305 days late, affecting emergency repairs. |
| Failure to report non-compliant contractors | Page 16 | Companies that ignored emergency requests continued receiving contracts. |
| Excessive delays in contractor payments | Page 19 | Contractor payments were delayed up to 619 days (over 20 months), affecting essential services. |
These administrative failures occurred under Díaz’s direct supervision as chairman, reflecting poor management in fund distribution and oversight of key projects.
Summary of Accounting Errors and Financial Deficiencies in Miami-Dade (2020-2023)
| Year | Finding Code | Type of Deficiency | Description | Source and Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | CF 2020-003 | Lack of Control in Financial Reports | Deficiencies in documentation and errors in the presentation of key financial reports. | Single Audit 2020, Pág. 4 |
| 2020 | CF 2020-004 | Improper Use of Federal Funds | Adequate controls were not ensured to guarantee compliance in the use of federal funds. | Single Audit 2020, Pág. 4 |
| 2020 | IC 2020-001 | Weaknesses in Internal Control | Lack of proper processes to prevent errors in financial records. | Single Audit 2020, Pág. 5 |
| 2021 | IC 2021-001 | Material Weakness | Significant errors in financial internal control. | Single Audit 2021, Pág. 2 |
| 2021 | IC 2021-003 | Serious Deficiency in Financial Compliance | Weak financial controls that could lead to fraud or misappropriation. | Single Audit 2021, Pág. 2 |
| 2021 | CF 2021-001 | Errors in Federal Fund Administration | Proper audits were not ensured in the management of state-funded programs. | Single Audit 2021, Pág. 4 |
| 2022 | IC 2022-001 | Significant Deficiency in Internal Control | Previous deficiencies were not corrected, exposing the county to accounting and compliance risks. | Single Audit 2022, Pág. 2 |
| 2023 | 2023-001 | Material Weakness | Critical failures in financial statement presentation, affecting fiscal transparency. | Single Audit 2023, Pág. 2 |
| 2023 | 2023-002 | Significant Deficiency in Internal Control | Persistence of financial reporting errors despite prior recommendations. | Single Audit 2023, Pág. 2 |
| 2023 | 2023-007 | Noncompliance with Federal Regulations | Failures in the administration of federally funded programs. | Single Audit 2023, Pág. 6 |
Pattern of Deficiencies
🔴 Recurring Accounting Errors: Each year, auditors have pointed out issues with the accuracy of financial reports. These errors persist despite recommendations for improvement, raising concerns about financial oversight.
🔴 Lack of Corrections to Past Deficiencies: Many of the problems identified in 2020 and 2021 reappear in 2022 and 2023, with no effective corrections. This demonstrates a failure in implementing corrective actions and a disregard for financial accountability.
🔴 Weaknesses in the Administration of Federal Funds: Multiple findings reveal a lack of proper controls in the management of state and federal funds. These deficiencies increase the risk of misallocation, inefficiency, and potential loss of federal funding.
🔴 Risk of Fraud and Misappropriation: The absence of proper financial oversight jeopardizes county resources and exposes Miami-Dade to potential fraud and financial mismanagement. Without strengthened controls, these risks will continue to threaten the county’s fiscal stability.
Sweetwater: The Worst Administration in the City’s History
Currently, Díaz is facing significant pressure from Sweetwater residents, where he serves as mayor. His administration has been plagued by scandals, financial mismanagement, and arbitrary decisions, leading the community to organize efforts to demand his removal.
🔴 The Mobile Home Park Eviction: A Humanitarian Crisis Ignored
One of the most shameful episodes of his administration was the inhumane treatment of residents of the Sweetwater Mobile Home Park, where dozens of families were evicted without a proper relocation plan.
- Residents reported they were not given sufficient notice, and Díaz’s administration blocked any attempts at dialogue with those affected.
- Public complaints suggest that the eviction benefits private interests and real estate developers, while leaving many families homeless.
- As a result, a petition drive has been launched to demand his immediate removal, highlighting the massive discontent with his leadership.
🔴 Accusations of Nepotism and Corruption
Internal reports indicate that, during his tenure as mayor, Díaz favored close associates in hiring and infrastructure projects, bypassing fair and transparent bidding processes.
🔴 A History of Controversies at the County and Local Level
- In 2006, he was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), raising concerns about his ability to make responsible decisions.
- During his time as a Miami-Dade County Commissioner, he approved multiple projects that benefited private businesses rather than the community.
- As Mayor of Sweetwater, he has been accused of ignoring public safety issues and deteriorating infrastructure, while channeling funds into projects of questionable benefit to residents.
📅 Chronology of José “Pepe” Díaz in Public Office
📌 1999 – 2002: Mayor of Sweetwater
- Election: In 1999, José “Pepe” Díaz was elected Mayor of Sweetwater, a small city in Miami-Dade County.
- Administration Marked by Controversies: His tenure was surrounded by accusations of questionable fund management and controversial administrative decisions.
📌 2002 – 2022: Miami-Dade County Commissioner, District 12
- In 2002, he won a seat on the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners, representing District 12 (which includes Doral, Hialeah, Medley, and parts of Sweetwater).
- During his time on the Commission, Díaz supported urban development and infrastructure projects, although many of his decisions were criticized for favoring private businesses over the public interest.
📌 September 19, 2015: Arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Key West, raising ethical and responsibility concerns about his leadership.
📌 2020 – 2022: Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners
📌 November 19, 2020: Elected Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners.
- Supervised key decisions under Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, including the management of federal COVID-19 relief funds and emergency contracts.
- 2022: Reports from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and independent audits revealed severe failures in the administration of emergency contracts and delays in contractor payments under his supervision.
📌 2023 – Present: Mayor of Sweetwater (Second Term)
📌 November 2022: Elected again as Mayor of Sweetwater, returning to the position he held over 20 years ago.
His administration has been heavily criticized for:
- The eviction of the Mobile Home Park, leaving dozens of families homeless.
- Accusations of nepotism and corruption, favoring close associates in municipal contracts.
- Resident-led efforts to remove him from office, with an ongoing petition for his recall.
Since 1999, José “Pepe” Díaz has held multiple positions in Miami-Dade and Sweetwater, leaving behind a history of scandals, mismanagement, and controversies.
📌 With his intention to run again for a county position, his past must be carefully examined to prevent a public official with a long history of inefficiency and questionable decisions from returning to power. 🚨
A Candidate Who Evidently Does Not Deserve to Return to Power
José “Pepe” Díaz represents a model of ineffective politics driven by personal interests. His track record as a Miami-Dade Commissioner and Sweetwater Mayor proves that he is not fit to hold another high-level county position.
📢 The residents of Sweetwater and Miami-Dade deserve a transparent and efficient leader, not a politician with a history of scandals and mismanagement. Be actively involved in your county
🚨 If his past teaches us anything, it is that giving Díaz more power will only bring more corruption, inefficiency, and harm to the community.
