NO one is willing to help launch “Miami Babylon” by Gerald Posner because the Simon & Schuster book uncovers the dirty secrets of some of the sun-splashed city’s biggest movers and shakers.
Condo king Jorge Perez was set to host a party for the author at his huge, and largely unsold, Icon development in downtown Miami — until he actually read the book.
“I got an e-mail from his assistant saying he got an advance copy and didn’t like the way he was depicted,” Posner told Page Six. “There will be no cocktail party.”
It’s possible that Perez, co-founder of the Related Group of Florida, didn’t like the quote from his one-time partner Thomas Kramer on Page 302: “We did a lot of party and p – – – y.”
Posner’s old friend, publicist Tara Solomon, was also going to throw a book party until she saw what Posner wrote about Al Malnik, owner of the Forge restaurant, whose son, Shareef, has been a client of hers for 21 years.
“Shareef read the parts about his father and was livid,” Posner said. “Tara told me, ‘I can’t have anything to do with the book.’ ” The elder Malnik, a lawyer, once represented Meyer Lansky. The book describes the father’s trial on tax evasion and perjury charges, of which he was acquitted.
“Miami is a town where they will give a party for the opening of an envelope,” Posner said. “When you can’t get a party in Miami, it’s the ultimate sign you’ve stepped on toes.”
Posner said “Miami Babylon” — which also details the criminal pasts of Wine and Food Festival promoter Lee Schrager (who pleaded guilty to insurance fraud), Ocean Drive magazine co-founder Jerry Powers (who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor tax violations), and several club promoters — could have been even harsher.
“If they didn’t like the way they’re portrayed, they should see the stuff I left out,” Posner said. “It would make their hair stand on end.”