Social media influencers promoting Miami’s Referendum 3 have posted racist, antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ attacks against owners and employees of businesses opposed to the Virginia Key marina redevelopment, according to a report obtained by New Times. The Nov. 3 ballot measure would extend a lease on about 28 acres of city-owned waterfront.
The report says Suntex Marina Investors LLC, a Dallas-based company, gave $2.35 million between July 20 and Oct. 9 to Help Save Virginia Key PC, the committee backing the measure. About 55% of the committee’s spending, or $1,120,072.91, went to Big Tuesday Media, a Miami firm, in 32 payments described as public relations and social media work.
The report alleges Big Tuesday Media recruited three influencers to support a yes vote. It targets Gramps Getaway owner Adam Gersten and Rickenbacker Marina operator Aabad Melwani with antisemitic and racist comments, along with threats and anti-LGBTQ remarks. The authors did not provide contracts or invoices showing the influencers were paid, and New Times has not verified the comment counts the report cites. Big Tuesday Media owner Jorge Bustamante told New Times he had no comment.
RCI Group vice president Robert Christoph defended the pro-measure messaging but said he did not know whether RCI or Suntex was behind the influencer payments. The report does not establish that Suntex or the committee directed or approved the posts.
The referendum asks voters whether the city should lease the site to Virginia Key LLC, a Suntex and RCI Group partnership, for an initial 45 years with two 15-year renewal options. The developers have pledged about $80 million in private investment, and the city would receive at least $2.2 million in annual rent plus 6% of gross revenue.
