Miami taxpayers may end up on the hook to pay more than $1.3 million in legal defense fees for former Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, who was suspended from office by the governor after his arrest almost two years ago on bribery and money laundering charges that were later dismissed.
Diaz de la Portilla and lobbyist William “Bill” Riley, who worked for The Centner Academy, were arrested in September 2023 and accused of funneling more than $300,000 to the former commissioner through his political action committee and meals, alcohol and accommodations at a luxury hotel in Brickell, in exchange for his sponsorship of and voting on an item that would 
give the school control of a public park. It was a scam that never came to fruition after ADLP’s arrest.
The case was transferred to Broward (again) because, technically, Miami-Dade State Attorney Kathy Fernandez-Rundle had a personal relationship (again) with Riley. But in reality it’s because she is either lazy or complicit with all the corruption in the county. There is no other explanation why that office isn’t booming. And Broward botched it.
Read related: Public corruption charges dropped against Miami’s Alex Diaz de la Portilla
The lion’s share of the ADLP legal fees, or $705,055, goes to Kuehne Davis Law and his main attorney, Benjamin Kuehne, who also represented Commissioner Joe Carollo in the federal First Amendment lawsuit that got the two Little Havana businessmen a $63.5 million judgement, the appeal of which was lost just last week.
The rest of the monies are distributed, as per the resolution before the city commission Thursday, as such:
- $208,000 goes to Collazo Law Firm.
- $121,723.33 goes to Susy Ribero-Ayala, who was already paid $16,110 last summer and also represented him in the civil case on the alleged shakedown for the new Rickenbacker Marina contract.
- $98,535 goes to Richard Diaz.
- $86,097.50 goes to Gunster, a law firm that is friendly with Mayor Francis Suarez, an attorney.
- $109,926.81 goes to “costs as reimbursement for legal fees and costs in the case.”
The city attorney’s office “has investigated and evaluated this case and has approved the recommendation of this settlement,” 
reads a memo from City Attorney George Wysong to the mayor and city commissioners. It’s on the consent agenda for Thursday, which means the administration does not expect any discussion.
That last $110K does not have the name of a law firm attached, which seems sus. It that what ADLP is going to get?
In a text message, Diaz de la Portilla said he was not getting anything from the settlement.
“All for the lawyers that fought for truth, justice and the American way,” he texted. “All the ones that righted a wrong, defeated the weaponization of the legal system, trumped the fake media and allowed me to prevail.
“All Miamians won,” he added.
So, now they have to foot the bill? Remember the insurance company that covers the city sued to get $5 million back from the city on that case and the city also paid out at least $12.5 million in a settlement.
Read related: Judge dismisses amended corruption complaint against Miami’s ADLP
The resolution on Thursday’s agenda states that “the allegations contained within the criminal complaint arose out of former Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla’s official duties as a commissioner for the City of Miami and Counsels were retained in defense of that criminal claim.” It also cites Florida law that “recognizes that a public official may be entitled to legal representation at public expense in order to defend himself/herself against litigation arising out of the performance of his/her official duties.”
And nothing screams “official duties” in Miami like bribery and money laundering.
City of Miami may pay $1.3 mil for Alex Diaz de la Portilla’s criminal defense added by Ladra on
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