Miami Beach Commissioner David Suarez is facing state ethics and election complaints alleging he misused city resources to influence a colleague’s re-election bid.
Resident-activist Jo Manning has accused Suarez of violating Florida law by using the city seal and official letterhead in communications criticizing Commissioner Laura Dominguez, who is seeking another term.
Suarez’s emails and Facebook posts accuse Dominguez of “pay-for-play” dealings with developers.
Manning cited state statutes barring officials from leveraging office authority in campaigns, a potential first-degree misdemeanor.
The Florida Elections Commission and Commission on Ethics will now review the filings to determine whether to launch formal investigations.
– Jesse Scheckner, Florida Politics