Joe Martinez is going to prison. Well… maybe. The former Miami-Dade commissioner and retired cop was sentenced Monday to 34 months for taking money in exchange for crafting legislation that would have helped a West Kendall supermarket owner. But Judge Miguel de la O wanted to give him less time — saying his hands were […]
Judge seeks legal loophole to let ‘public servant’ off It was standing room only in Judge Miguel de la O’s courtroom Thursday, and not because people love watching former politicians get sentenced. No, this was a full-fledged cry-in for former Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez, who was at a sentencing hearing for his conviction last year […]
County has paid for old vacant office for a year Unelected Miami-Dade Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez, appointed in November 2022 by the governor to fill the vacant seat in District 11 after Joe Martinez was arrested on public corruption charges, has two district offices — including a vacant one that taxpayers have been shelling out $4,486 […]
He wasn’t on anybody’s list, but Ruamen de la Rua is the first to file paperwork for the sheriff’s election in 2024. De la Rua, a Miami Police officer, filed documents Monday naming a campaign treasurer and identifying a campaign account. It’s a partisan race, and de la Rua is Republican. When he’s not writing […]
He replaces Joe Martinez after public corruption arrest in August Two months after Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez was arrested on public corruption charges and subsequently suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the latter has appointed a temporary replacement: Personal injury lawyer Robert Gonzalez, who lost the House Republican primary in District 119 last August to Juan […]
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis finally suspended Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez Tuesday, three whole weeks after he was arrested on public corruption charges for allegedly taking $15,000 in exchange for sponsoring legislation that would benefit the owners of a shopping center and grocery store. Martinez, who attended the first budget hearing and voted against it, did […]
Add former Miami-Dade Fire Chief and ex president of the International Association of Firefighters Al Cruz to the shortlist of District 11 residents who could be appointed to replace Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez, who is facing a public corruption trial. Gov. Ron DeSantis hasn’t yet suspended Martinez, who was charged with unlawful compensation for taking […]
About six hours after the first public hearing began Thursday, Miami-Dade Commissioners gave preliminary approval to the mayor’s $10 billion budget, which focuses on affordable housing, infrastructure and clean water while cutting the tax rate by 1%. “This year we will continue rebuilding our community and economy stronger than ever by prioritizing critical investments in […]
UPDATED: This story has been updated to add an additional name to the people on the list to replace Commissioner Joe Martinez. It’s just a matter of when. Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters on Wednesday, at a press conference about toll rebates, that he will eventually suspend Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez, who was charged last […]
And has this been cooked so that his replacement does his bidding? Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez was charged with two felonies on Tuesday after a five-year investigation and posted bond. But he hasn’t resigned. Nor has he given any hint that he’s gonna. Will Martinez show up at the commission meeting on Thursday? Some people […]