Miami Corruption Tracker: Notorious Elected Officials and Their Legal Troubles
Welcome to the Miami Corruption Tracker, your one-stop shop for all the special interest fundraising, dynastic politics and corruption charges in Miami-Dade County.
We're here to help you keep tabs on Miami’s most notorious elected officials and remind you of all the serious, lawyer-enriching behavior they have exhibited — going back four decades.
After all, while our politicians play self-serving games, taxpayers foot the bill.
As a refresher, let's dive into just some of the recent arrests and investigations that have graced our sun-soaked paradise: just since 2021:
2021
- Former State Senator Frank Artiles was arrested for allegedly organizing an election fraud scheme that included fake political candidates. (🚨🚨🚨🚨 4 felony charges)
2022
- County Commissioner Joe Martinez was arrested on corruption charges for allegedly accepting $15,000 in exchange for filing legislation to help a businessman. (🚨🚨 2 felony charges)
- Former US Congressman David Rivera was arrested on charges of money laundering and representing a foreign government without registering. Rivera was accused of orchestrating a conspiracy in the early days of the Trump administration to lobby U.S. politicians on behalf of Venezuela to prevent additional U.S. sanctions against President Maduro and resolve a dispute with a U.S. oil company. He was also subsequently charged with tax evasion. (🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 8 charges)
2023
- City of Miami Commissioner Alex Diaz De La Portilla was arrested on criminal charges of money laundering and bribery related to allegedly accepting $245,000 in unreported campaign contributions from Leila and David Centner, “a wealthy Miami couple” in exchange for voting to approve the construction of a sports facility on public land for private use. (🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 12 felony charges, 2 county ordinance violations)
- City of Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo was found civilly liable for infringing on local business owners’ rights after they supported a political opponent—Carollo weaponized city resources and personnel, including police and code enforcement, to harass their businesses.
- North Miami Beach Mayor Anthony DeFillipo was arrested for allegedly committing voting fraud. He is accused of using a false address to maintain residency in North Miami Beach. (🚨🚨🚨 3 felony charges)
- Multiple North Miami Beach public officials and employees are accused of racking up more than $1.4 million in unauthorized purchases on city credit cards.
- City of Miami Commissioner candidate Frank Pichel was arrested for aggravated assault with a firearm for allegedly pulling a gun against the campaign worker of an opponent.
- County Commission District 12 Candidate and former Sweetwater Commissioner—Sophia Lacayo was charged with 21 counts of campaign finance violations.
2024
- School Board Member Lubby Navarro was arrested and accused of stealing $100,000 from the school district. She allegedly used the funds to buy personal items. (🚨🚨🚨🚨 4 felony charges)
- Former City of Miami Commissioner Sabina Covo is reported to be under investigation for offering a political opponent a lucrative city job for an endorsement.
- City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez is reported by the Miami Herald to be part of both an FBI and an SEC investigation into the finances of real estate developer Rishi Kapoor, whose Ponzi scheme unraveled in 2023. Suarez was alleged to be on Kapoor’s payroll.
- Hialeah Councilwoman Angelica Pacheco was indicted on federal charges over an alleged $19.1 million conspiracy to commit health care and loan fraud (🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 8 federal felony charges)
So, there you have it, folks! A parade of power, abuse and ethical flexibility. Remember, our Miami Corruption Tracker is here to ensure you never miss a beat in the ongoing saga of our elected officials’ adventures in malfeasance.
Stay informed. Follow us @MIACorruption