Miami-Dade mayor racking up lobbyist freebies

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez -- who argued last summer to curb the county's unlimited gift policy -- attended last month's Jennifer Lopez/Marc Anthony concert at AmericanAirlines Arena courtesy of one of the most influential marketing executives in South Florida.

Arranging the $1,140 tab for Alvarez, his girlfriend, personal affairs director and another guest: Jose Cancela, a local businessman with a long list of national and international clients. Cancela is also a county on-the-ground point-man for House Speaker Marco Rubio's property-tax efforts.

Two weeks later, the mayor, six staffers and several of his family members spent an all-expenses-paid overnight stay aboard the Carnival cruise ship Freedom. The cruise sleep-in followed the annual Mayor's Ball to raise money for the United Way and Camillus House.

The mayor received 15 cabins valued at $8,500, according to Alvarez spokeswoman Suzy Trutie.

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