Once cherished in Miami, Elian Gonzalez is set to become a legislator in Cuba

[Judi Lynn]

26. They had problems with the law well before Elin floated into town, if you'll recall.

From the New York Times:

A Bumpy Path For Miami Kin Of Cuban Boy

By Peter T. Kilborn
Feb. 9, 2000

. . .

The two-bedroom, one-bath home of Lazaro Gonzalez, 49, his wife, Angela, and their daughter, Marisleysis, 21, is the gathering place for an extended family that itself is divided over Elian's future. And it is the focal point of a public relations struggle between Miami's Cuban-Americans and the Cuban government of Fidel Castro. But this extended family is also one that has run afoul of the law in ways that could affect their bid to gain permanent custody of Elian, whose father in Cuba wants him returned, experts in custody law say.

Lazaro Gonzalez, an automobile mechanic who moved here from Cardenas, Cuba, 15 years ago, has four convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol during the 1990's, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. His license was revoked or suspended for a total of three years. He completed an alcohol treatment course after his most recent conviction, in July 1997.

Mr. Gonzalez's brother Delfin Gonzalez, 63, a fisherman who usually lives in Marathon in the Florida Keys but who is a staunch supporter of Lazaro's custody claim and has been staying here with the family, has four convictions for driving under the influence over the last decade, most recently in May 1997. Two of the cases involved accidents with property damage or personal injury. Delfin Gonzalez had his license revoked for a total of two years.

Two other relatives who have been periodic visitors at the home have also had run-ins with the law, the weekly New Times newspaper here first reported. Jose Cid, 32, one of Lazaro and Delphin's nephews and a son of their sister here, Georgina Cid, went to jail last month to begin a 13-year sentence for grand theft, forgery and violating probation, according to the Miami-Dade Department of Corrections. His twin brother, Luis Cid, goes on trial on Feb. 18 on charges relating to a robbery last September in Little Havana.

More:
https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/09/us/a-bumpy-path-for-miami-kin-of-cuban-boy.html

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Yes, there's more:


A family portrait
By OW and Lissette Corsa on Fri, Jan 28, 2000 at 12:00 am

. . .

At about 5:30 p.m. a dilapidated 1987 Honda Civic pulled up to the house, and a young man in his early 30s stepped out. Several people in the crowd recognized him and walked over to shake his hand. He was one of Elian's cousins, Luis Cid. His sister, Georgina Cid Cruz, recently has been representing the family before the media. Two weeks ago, for instance, she appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live."

The worldwide attention being paid to Elian's case (see A small boy lost in a political drama) has transformed nearly all his local relatives into celebrities. An older woman came forward and asked if she could have her photograph taken with Cid. He graciously complied. The woman quickly stood next to him and smiled broadly as her husband took a snapshot.

With any luck it will turn out to be a better picture than the unflattering mug shot taken of Luis Cid by Dade County jailers four months ago. According to police reports and court records, the 32-year-old was arrested by Miami police on Sept. 7 and charged with strong-arm robbery after he and an accomplice assaulted and robbed a tourist in Little Havana. The robbery took place about a half-mile from where Elian is now living. Cid is free on bond while awaiting trial next month.

This isn't Luis Cid's first encounter with law enforcement and the courts. In 1994 he was arrested on felony charges of carrying a concealed weapon and resisting arrest with violence. Also that year his ex-wife sought a permanent injunction against him alleging domestic violence, according to court records. In 1995 she sued him for child support. In 1998 he was arrested once more, this time on felony firearms and prowling charges.

Cid's twin brother also visits his uncle's Little Havana home to socialize with Elian. José Cid, like his brother, has had a history of encounters with police, a lengthy history. Between 1986 and 1990 he was arrested at least five times on felony charges including burglary, grand theft and robbery with force, according to court records. In 1994 he was arrested on charges of petit larceny. (The judicial outcome of the various criminal charges brought against the Cid brothers could not be confirmed by press time. Efforts to interview the brothers for this story also were unsuccessful.)

Men with multiple felony arrests casually mingling with Elian and his caretakers -- hardly the image the Miami relatives have sought to project to the world.

More:
https://www.orlandoweekly.com/news/a-family-portrait-2262897


- click on link for image -

https://media2.orlandoweekly.com/orlando/imager/a-family-portrait/u/slideshow/2281168/luiscidjpg

Luis Cid

Lookin' good!