North Miami residents were shocked when former Councilwoman Marie Erlande Steril announced her decision to not to run for re-election last year.  It was assumed that she stepped down from her safely held seat because she was about to be fined (or jailed?) as a result of a highly publicized IRS audit of the city’s finances.

There was also speculation that she might be implicated in a $5 million dollar rigged city bid, as accused by former Mayor Andre Pierre’s nephew, Ricardo Brutus.

Despite these predictions, neither of which has as yet come to fruition, and despite her numerous ethical violations, she filed to run for State House District 108 last January.

No one should have been shocked since career politicians just can’t stand not being in office.

Apparently, Marie Steril just can’t stand Sunshine, either.

Florida Sunshine, that is.

According to her Form 6, Full and Public Disclosure of Financial Interests, filed with the Florida Department of State, Division of Elections, Marie listed five real estate properties under Part B, Assets.  These included her home in North Miami valued at $154,000.00, two investment properties in Ft. Myers valued at $212,000.00 and $204,000.00, respectively, and two parcels of land in Naples and Ocala totaling $15,000.00.

Marie owns her North Miami home with her husband, Nego Steril, but the owner of the two properties in Fort Myers is listed as Family Corners and Associates, LLC, a Florida Limited Liability Company, of which Marie is both the Registered Agent and sole member.

The Fort Myers properties are located at 1838 French Street and 11369-379 Linda Loma Drive (although Marie incorrectly listed that address as 1369 Linda Loma Drive).

Marie and her husband own the vacant property in Naples, which is valued at $13,847.00, according to the Collier County Property Appraiser.  The property in Ocala, which is owned by Marie Erlande Steril and Michel L. Porcena, is valued at $4,000.00, according to the Marion County Property Appraiser.  The combined value of these assets is $17,847.00, and not the $15,000.00 she listed on her Form 6.

Even more interesting, however, is that Marie did not disclose a property she owns with her husband in Lehigh Acres, Florida, located at 8110 Penta Court, and which is valued at $209,180.00, according to the Lee County Property Appraiser.

Marie also did not disclose the company she owns, Family Corners and Associates, LLC, which she owns in her own name.  This company is worth at least the value of the two properties it owns in Lee County (technically the company should have been disclosed and not her personally), plus any any rental income earned from these two investments, both of which are a multi-family apartment buildings.

Marie also did not disclose who-knows-what other properties she or her company owns.  It would take literally days to search the database of each and every county in Florida to try to find out what else she’s hiding.

Here’s the thing.

If I were so inclined, I could file a complaint with the Florida Elections Commission against Marie Eerlande Steril’s fraudulently reporting her financial interests, but I’m not gonna do this it this time.  Here’s why.

As I’ve done in the past with so many corrupt politicians, I could again waste my time, paper, printer ink and postage, but why bother?

I also do not live or vote in House District 108.

The truth is, by the time the FEC got around to investigating, the August 30, 2016 primary election will be over.  Even if the Commission did find probable cause, it would takes months and months for any action to be taken, and even then, she’d get a slap-on-the-wrist and a fine.

In the words of the most corrupt politician in America, “What difference, at this point, does it make?”

However, if anyone out there (like any one of Marie’s opponents, for example?) cares to file a complaint, click here to download a form.  I’ve already given you all the information you need to use as exhibits to the complaint.

Complaints are fine and dandy.  And they do cause headaches and financial burdens for the accused.

But the ONLY real solution to the problem of corrupt politicians is to …

NOT FREAKING VOTE FOR THEM!

I mean, HELLOOO!

How hard is that to comprehend?

In this race for State House District 108, voters have six other candidates from which to choose:  Fayola Delica, Moise Duge, Roy Hardemon, Francesca Menes, and Henry Patel.

I don’t know anything about any of them.

What I can assume is that none of them could possibly be as corrupt as Marie Steril.

But, this time I’m not going to do your homework for you.

VOTERS, DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE!

The right to vote comes with the responsibility to vet the candidates and choose the person whom you believe will best represent your interests.

It’s also a good idea not to elect liars, thieves and criminals.

But, hey … Opa-locka voters were warned, too.  And we all know the crooks they put into office.

Remember, ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES!

The moral of this story is:  Don’t be Opa-locka.

Stephanie