That's The Way The Cookie Crumbles

Well my friends a just found out that Havana Man had a little running in his plans to take over the world.

Apparently his partners may have found out (a little too late) the kind of person he really is and have put a halt at their business relationship. May be my blog had something to do with it? Not. Who knows? From three (3) stores- two in Ybor City and one in St. Petersburg - he is now back to one, and although it is not clear what transpired, the rhetoric I am hearing from Ybor usual suspects is that his previous partners could not work out their differences on how to grow the business,and that he was unreliable and went their separate ways. Others are speculating that there was money stolen or that he was found selling drugs and other stolen merchandise from its place and they did not want anything to do with that. I side with the last couple of options.

I don't want to say I told you so. But it was bound to happen with a character like Lazaro. I also heard, he has con some other 'business partner' to open I guess his second store (again) by 22nd & 7th Ave, in Ybor City for about $30,000 and trying to get a Line of Credit of $100,000. Whoever you are... prepare for impact. History repeats itself. Did I say deja vu or may be "modus operandi" sounds better.

Javier Rodriguez (Lazaro) is a criminal, no doubt about it. Like all predators, he is in a continual search for his prey, and allures them with his charisma and his grand business vision of surpassing Arturo Fuente. Unable to follow through, since like they say: the devil is in the details, his Havana Dreams empire crumbles and struggles. However, he has a recipe for these little eventualities. To go out and find a New Mark (new business partner) to run the same con game over again.

He is all but empty promises, telling you what you want to hear. If you are giving money or using your credit or buying anything he is telling you - WAKE UP and realize you are his Mark. His Victim. Run as far away as you can. I don't want to tell you: 'I told you so". And that my friends is the way this cookie has crumbled.

Excerpt from Battle for the Planet
Brain (Laz): Pinky, are you pondering, what I am pondering?
Pinky: Wuh, I think so Brain, but if we didn't have ears we'd look like weasels.

Morale

If you are entering into a business relationship: do your due diligence. Understand what you are getting involved with and who. Get the Facts: Ask for a balance sheet, Income and Expense statements certified by a CPA. Get a copy of the current business plan. Run a background check on your future partners. Consult with your Lawyer. If anything does not add up, walk away from the deal. It will save you from a lot of headaches in the future.

One last note: I saw his new website...why will you want to call yourself "Laz" -- I think Havana Man is better. Or just Brain for short. And what is up with that 'Latin Flavor' business card in sort of pink. Was it pink y's idea? Who cares, but it's funny business.

Checks in the Mail...

We'll I am back from a long due vacation, and what do I hear in town about our dubious character... Well maybe you won't hear it at all...unless you got one, because it bounces.

A good number of vendors are getting stiffed on their services or merchandise. Lazaro seems to now have taken the habit of writing bad checks. Actually, this is probably business as usual. If you are doing business with this guy, Vendors Beware! I think this may continue to happen until everyone complains with the State Attorney's Office. Actually (inside scoop here) someone already has, and there are more on the way. Additional vendors have reported to the State and confirmed that they too are having to go the exact same route, as thousands of dollars worth of BAD CHECKS continue to float from Lazaro's Rubber Book. This doesn't stop until good, honest people stand up and tell this blight on the tobacco world that enough is enough!

This is another of Brain's plan for taking over the world. By the way, I am finding that many have never seen "Pinky and The Brain", if you haven't seen an episode, I suggest you do, it will give you an inside scoop on what I mean.

I have a lot to catch up and publish, there are rumors in the air on Lazaro's tobacco empire coming to a serious halt... If you are an investor, friend, girlfriend or whatever, word of advice, sever your relationship with this criminal, because that is what he is a CRIMINAL.

Cigar Rolling in Tampa

Pretty cool Multi-media report I found on one of Tampa's Cigar factories.

If you never seen it done. Whenever you are in Ybor or Tampa, take some time to do so. Great Art.

TBO Report

An Affair To Remember

I'm not sure who Olga is in the scheme of things? I did hear that there was a young girl that worked at his stores by that name, but I never had the pleasure of meeting her.

I did meet another woman, that seemed to work at the stores, whose name is not Olga, and recently had his baby. If you are who you say you are. There is still time. You can make changes to your life and help yourself and your kid.

Needless to say, I did do a little background research on his relationships and... It is more juicy than I thought.

Ybor City @ Night
Regrettably, maybe it will be the topic for a later blog. There is a bit of blackmailing, court cases, under age dating, physical and mental abuse, you name it. Lazaro even assumes the role of custodian to one girl to get her an abortion. It has the makings of a soap opera! I need to research this further.

But what else is new. Defamation of Character implies there is character. However, we all agree Lazaro Rodriguez IS a character, and I am only voicing the tales and facts that abound on this Ybor City character. Although the theft was a crime, evidence or a witness will be required to prosecute. All is circumstantial. "Brain" got lucky. However, all criminals eventually make mistakes. Like the one that got him arrested last May 2005 selling cocaine. It is all a matter of time.

Do you want to expose your kid and yourself to this kind of environment? You do not have to take my word for it. If you are smart, You'll trust yourself. You only have to trust your conscience...You know in your heart of hearts whether this is a good guy for you. Just look at the past to predict the future. People do not change that much. Take care of yourself and your child. Unfortunately, you and I know this will fall in deaf ears. Don't we Olga. By the way, when is the wedding?

There is still time.

Stolen Cigars

Anyhow, I was getting my hair cut today by Columbus Ave. and I met Raul (not his true name) who has been in the cigar industry in the Tampa Bay are for many years. I like cigars, and one thing let to another and we ended talking about you know who. Raul seemed very knowledgeable not only of the cigar making craft and its history, but also about what goes on in the cigar community in Tampa. Well, long story short, He knows about Lazaro Rodriguez and his company. Among many things, I have already reiterated in this blog, one NEW thing I learned is that it appears (rumors) that Lazaro was involved in the theft of $20,000 dollars worth of cigars from a local distributor. Ouch... I later contacted them, and they indicated they are pretty sure he was involved in the theft.


I guess it beats having to work at it. You know buying the tobacco and paying for the labor. EZ DOES IT. I can see him doing this. But I can't understand why would he want to jeopardize his bail or going back to prison. This is another scheme of pinky and the brain trying to take over the world (of Cigars)and not realizing the full implications of his actions. If this is true, he has profit at the expense of very hard working people.

Now that makes me question, whether every time I buy cigars there... Am I buying cigars they make or stolen cigars? If anybody out there knows, let me know. The more I look into his company the more the web of deceit unravels.

Another Day in Ybor City

I was talking to someone today who mentioned they have been able to get Cuban Cigars from Lazaro...Oh my! Again, Do you really think that he goes to Cuba and gets real Cuban Cigars? I don't think so. Maybe he has connections? It raises interesting issues. Could it be counterfeit? He does know enough to be dangerous to himself and those purchasing contraband. For all those around him... careful... careful. You could be dealing with something greater than you think. The FBI has been monitoring and arresting those involved in counterfeit cigars and the big companies like Altadis are been proactive and hired private investigators to help them prosecute those diluting their brands and defrauding their customers. I also heard his name came up in a raid that occurred in December 2005 in Miami. If you do not have an idea of what this means, just read the recent article in the Miami Herald on 4/24/06:
Miami Herald

For those two that commented on my blog, well let's say, I have not written anything that it is not true. However, there is no need for me to confront him or to tell it to his face. I really think he already knows these. In addition, it is public knowledge in Ybor City anyhow. Maybe he does not want to acknowledge this fact, but his reputation and that of his company is horrible. If you attend the Ybor Chamber or visit any other businesses in the area and you do enough research you will be able to substantiate every single post I have made on this blog. Also, his arrest records are public, as well as, his conviction.

By the way, my name is really Pablo, and I have nothing to hide or proof. I am just reporting things as I hear them. I do think, elements like Mr. Rodriguez, need to be exposed before they do more harm to others. I also take good measures not to divulge my sources or the names of others involved in this tale. Why? The reason is that I believe most of them are victims. Victims who were defrauded, or who have been around him for so long they can not differentiate right from wrong (like cult followers), and/or have become co-dependent on him. Others, are just thieves and criminals. My hope and prayer, if they ever get to read this, is that they get enough inspiration to stand up for what they know is the right thing to do and to leave and live a productive life. No one should have to take the abuses he lashes to his workers, associates and girlfriends. There is life beyond Lazaro Rodriguez, and it just takes enough "character" to say the buck stops here!

I won't comment on your grammar. Shall we say... Not enough schooling? Ooops, I could not help it. If you are that close, be safe my friends.

Lazaro Javier Tejera Rodriguez - Ybor City, FL

Lazaro Javier Tejera Rodriguez - Ybor City, FL

No Hummer - H2 ?

The latest I heard Lazaro got into a bad accident and total the Hummer? Hummm...

It sounds suspicious. Maybe, just maybe this is another lie to protect his image (or ego). It could be that he could not afford the payment on the vehicle and had to returned the car or maybe who ever financed the car has the Hummer, or maybe he had it total for insurance money?

Sources closed to him, had told me that he did not had the vehicle insured. So, if he had an accident, who would pay for the repairs? It is not an inexpensive vehicle. Ooooh well, another day of pinky and the brain trying to conquer the world.

It makes us laugh!

Who is Lazaro Rodriguez?

Lazaro Rodriguez is from Cuba and specializes in making cigars. Who knows how he got started?
He is probably one of the most fascinating characters I have met in Ybor City, and this is why I have created a blog on him. Very charismatic and personable, yet there is a dark shadow about his persona that is difficult to pinpoint when you talk to him, but is there... you can feel it.

He has 2 cigar shops- "Havana Dreams"- in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida. Although some say it should be called "Havana Nightmares". All sorts of strange dealings happened there, apparently it is not just about cigars. The little I was able to find out from him and other sources is that he has lived in Las Vegas and San Diego. Spent about 7 years in a Florida jail. Why? Don't know. Arrested about a year ago on the intention to distribute or sell cocaine. Another professional title added to his resume: Drug Dealer maybe?

You can find his record and picture at the following site: http://www.hcso.tampa.fl.us/ Use booking number: 05030832. Whatever crimes he committed I guess he paid for it or will be soon. The cocaine case I think is pending. But that has not stopped him from trying to defraud others along the way. Or get something the easy way. He pretends to be a business person, but sources closed to him said, he can not even keep track of his own inventory, be on time for meetings, be professional, or pay his bills on time without overdrawing his checking account.

If you ever meet this guy, be warned, he is the biggest liar you could ever met. He is incapable of telling the truth, whether is money for his business, a Hummer, a woman or two, you name it. DO NOT BELIEVE A WORD! He lies all the time.

He is definitely not all together when it comes to women. He got two women pregnant last year and thought he could convince them to live together... He actually tried. At some point, he went back and forth between the two of them. The funny thing is they both knew about each other. How weird is that!? Now, I guess he got to pay for their rents and child support. One boy was delivered in March and the other boy is expected in May or June 2006. Diablos! Well, that should teach him something- you hope.

His latest venture is to start a restaurant in Ybor, and maybe open another cigar shop in Orlando. The question is with what money? or I shall say with who's money? Be careful is not yours. He can't even stay in one place for more than a couple of hours, so how is he going to run the restaurant? Everybody knows restaurants required commitment 24 hours 7 days a week. Who will he get to run it? I bet you it will not be him. He will just be stopping by to pick up the money. And if you are the one financing his venture... well let's just say good bye to the revenue. You will never get an accurate report on where the money goes.

What a character! The story continues...