Democrat Annette Taddeo linked to campaign cash from alleged Chavistas

MIAMI - Democrat Annette Taddeo, a former state Senator who's running for Clerk of the Court and Comptroller in Miami-Dade, has received campaign cash from alleged Chavistas via her political action committee.

According to public records, Taddeo received $26,000 from Miguel (Maowad) Mawad and two other family members to Taddeo's PAC, Accountable Miami-Dade. Taddeo is the chairwoman of the PC and using it for her campaign for Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller.

Specifically, one donation made by Miguel Mouwad, who's listed as the owner of Juventus Academy in Miami, was $12,000. Other contributions under the address include a pair of $3,000 donations from Jespa Mawad and Tania Mawad, owners of Empresas Hoteleras.

Miguel Mawad has been mentioned as a top Chavista contributor. Reports also say he currently lives a lavish life in Miami and Miami Beach showing himself on yachts and private planes.

Previously, Mawad was investigated under the Trump administration for alleged irregularities through the Economic and Social Development Bank of Venezuela, or Bandes. Although, Mawad has not been sanctioned by the U.S. government for money laundering or corruption.

Miguel's father, Romeo, is also alleged to be a financial Chavista operative. Both were beneficiaries of Alejandro Andrade, a former treasurer under then-Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Furthermore, Romeo was noted in Connecticut court papers as being "closely connected to high-level officials of the Chavez government in Venezuela."

Taddeo is challenging Republican and current Miami-Dade Clerk and Comptroller Juan Fernandez-Barquin. After serving as state senator for the 40th District from 2017-2022, she was defeated by Republican Maria Elvira Salazar in Florida's 27th Congressional race.