Friday, October 28, 2011

The Vogel Friends and Family Plan

Commissioner Dr. Paul Vogel and his wife, Marietta Vogel, ran up $1,225 in cell phone bills between March 2007 and August 2010 paid for illegally by the city.

In 2007, without the knowledge or permission of the city manager, and without the knowledge or permission of the Commission, the Vogels decided that the then recent city policy of providing either a cell phone or reimbursement for the same meant that they, Dr. and Mrs. Vogel, were entitled to cell phones (note the plural) on the city's dime.

The cell phones they took, without the city manager's knowledge, and not recorded in the logs carried the phone numbers 786 877 1680 and 786 999 5454. These phones were turned back in shortly after I made the public records request in the spring of this year.

This has been documented, the records subpoenaed and is right now in the hands of the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics.

So the Vogels, without permission, decided to take money monthly from the city for over three years.

It's a shame really. I used to think Paul Vogel was a decent guy, a little too in bed with some of the entrenched interests, but I really didn't think he was doing grand theft and abuse of public office. I guess, once again, I was wrong. I fell for the "I'm just a nice old guy" act.

Between stealing our money for at least $1,225.91 in phone services (and more), four unexcused consecutive absences which means he's off the commission, and the marked up agendas instructing him how to vote, Dr. Vogel needs to resign.

Next up: Who paid Eddie Lim's delinquent property taxes of $13,255 from 2008? Not Eddie Lim. They were sold at auction. Details to follow.

Kevin Vericker
October 28, 2011




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