Alex Daoud was one of the most popular mayors in Beach History but his legacy was eclipsed by his conviction on federal charges of bribery. In the interview, he talks about his childhood bout with polio, his upbringing on Miami Beach, and his rise to power as a commissioner and then 3-term mayor. He speaks frankly about the mistakes, misjudgements, and character flaws which led to his fall from power and grace. He describes how he presided over the meteoric renaissance of South Beach, which was his greatest accomplishment and, ironically, his Achilles heel. Influence and access to power were bought by high-rolling developers and in the end, Daoud confesses, he became trapped by his own greed.
This interview is part of a series filmed for the Miami Beach Visual Memoirs Project funded by a grant from the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority
