The trial of former Florida senator Frank Artiles commenced this week, facing charges of facilitating a scheme using "ghost candidates" to influence the 2020 Senate election. Prosecutors allege he paid a candidate to confuse voters, contributing to the defeat of Democratic incumbent José Javier Rodríguez by just 32 votes.

On Tuesday, the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners was set to award a five-year, $1 million vending machine county contract to RQ Vending, a major political donor to county commissioners. The item was pulled without explanation.

Why are County Commissioners delaying a controversial vote lifting a ban on taxpayer funds for a mega mall? Are they trying to avoid backlash from voters before the November election, or are they giving in to pressure from other mall owners?

An initial vote of a county committee paved the way for tomorrow's agenda item: to lift the ban on public taxpayer funds being used for the American Dream Miami mega mall. The developers behind the project have donated thousands of dollars to county commissioners' political committees.

For decades, Miami’s most powerful political families have repeatedly broken Florida’s election laws, racking up over $52,000 in fines. From allegedly forged campaign finance reports to failing to file required documents, these violations reveal a troubling pattern of disregard for the law.

Miami’s political dynasties, like the Regalados and the Hardemons, are working to maintain their multi-decade influence, with family members running for local government positions. The Gimenez family, holding power for 20 years, has one member vying for re-election. Meanwhile, the Suárez family's influence continues with potential mayoral aspirations. These entrenched families are locked in a perpetual power struggle in Miami's political landscape.

In Miami-Dade County politics, Commissioner Raquel Regalado raised $1.6 million for her 2024 campaign, mostly from developers and transportation moguls, raising concerns about their influence on her policies. Her top donors include influential developers and transportation contractors.

If accepting big donations from developer interests were an Olympic Sport, Commissioner Keon Hardemon would be on the podium taking the gold. Mr. Hardemon has raked in $4.2 million since being elected in 2020 to the County Commission. Silver and bronze go to Commission colleagues Raquel Regalado ($1.6 million) and Kionne McGhee ($1.2 million).

The August 20 Florida primary election has low voter turnout so far, but holds crucial ballot questions for Miami residents who care about fighting corruption. Referendum 1 and 2 propose replacing the "Independent Auditor General" with an "Office of the Independent Inspector General," empowered to issue subpoenas. Referendum 3 concerns keeping outdoor gym equipment at a city park. Early voting is ongoing, with Election Day on August 20th.

In a Miami-Dade County Commission hearing, Commissioner Regalado tried to rush a vote on a controversial development project. Commissioner Cohen-Higgins objected, and brought up a delayed Calusa project vote. The developer's campaign donations raise additional questions.

On the same day that County Commissioner Raquel A. Regalado voted to give the Property Appraiser office more power, her political committee received $13,000 in donations from a group of businesses pushing for the measure. Those same businesses had given her father, Tomás P. Regalado $4,500 in donations one month earlier. Her father is running for property appraiser.

After previously opposing the American Dream Miami mega mall, Commissioner Raquel Regalado accepted $12,500 in donations from the developers and voted to approve subsidies for the project in July.

In June 2024, Miami's political dynasties saw significant donations. Keon Hardemon's committee received $48,250 and his PACs took in $254,500. Raquel Regalado's committee got $22,000, while her father's committee received $7,900. Carlos Gimenez and Joe Martinez also received substantial donations. Some family members, like Monique Barley-Mayo, have not reported any funds raised.

Miami-Dade County's Urban Development Boundary, implemented in 1983, safeguards the Everglades and farmland from overdevelopment. In 2022, developers succeeded in getting approval for a several hundred acre project beyond the boundary, despite initial opposition. Campaign finance records reveal donations made in the wake of this vote.

The FBI recently raided the home and office of Miami-Dade builder Sergio Pino, amidst a toxic divorce proceeding. We track Sergio Pino's history of political donations to some of Miami's biggest political dynasties.

Miami politics has long been influenced by powerful families, resembling more of a monarchy than a democracy. The Carollos, Regalados, The Suárez family, Diaz de la Portillas, Hardemons, and Gimenezes dominate the political scene, facing numerous allegations of corruption and ethical misconduct. This concentrated power raises concerns about fairness and the true function of democracy in local governance.

The Miami Corruption Tracker provides a one-stop shop of alleged corruption and ethical breaches by Miami officials, going back decades. Recent arrests and investigations include election fraud, corruption charges, money laundering, and more. The tracker aims to keep the public informed about the activities of elected officials. Follow us at @MIAcorruption for more.