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2004 Releases The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office is dedicated to providing accurate information to the public and media. If you are a member of the working media and would like an interview with the State Attorney, or you need information on a case, would like to talk to a specific assistant state attorney or are looking for an expert in a certain area of prosecution, please contact our public information officers Ed Griffith or Terry Chavez. Below you'll find recent news releases issued by this office. 12/29/04 - Two Arrested in Theft at Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
12/07/04 - Former Executive Director of Camillus House Surrenders 12/03/04 - Leader of John Doe Drug Gang Convicted 11/12/04 - Charter School Founder Charged 07/22/04 - 11 Arrested in Airport Scam 07/09/04 - Police Shooting Death of Worine Terrell Sams  06/22/04 - Child Support Partnership with State Attorney's Office & Florida Bar Family Law Section 06/17/04 - Arrest of Two Sweetwater Police Officers 04/13/04 - North Bay Village Mayor & Commissioner Charged 04/06/04 - Statement re: The Shooting Death of Denzel Smith-Graham ED GRIFFITH Public Information Officer PHONE: 305-547-0535TERRY CHAVEZ Hispanic Media Relations Public Information Officer PHONE: 305-547-0535 If you cannot view PDF's, click on Acrobat Reader or the image below to download the free software.  |
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Contact: Ed Griffith 305-547-0535 12/29/04 Two Arrested in Theft at Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Miami (December 29, 2004) -State Attorney Katherine Fernandez announces the arrest of two former employees of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) relating to the theft of more than $1.9 million dollars of GMCC funds. The missing money was discovered after the GMCC began experiencing an increasing shortage of funds, initially attributed to a loss of membership. A preliminary review indicated that canceled checks from mid 1999 through approximately 2003 were missing. Subsequent investigation by the City of Miami Police Department, State Attorney Office investigative accountants and prosecutors determined that two former employees, Evelyn Minott and Freddy Luna were responsible for the theft of GMCC funds. Evelyn D. Minott, the former Executive Director of Finance and Freddy Luna, the Chamber's former Finance Manager, were taken into custody this morning through a coordinated effort by the City of Miami Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The theft was facilitated by the fact that together, Minott and Luna handled the financial functions of the GMCC, including accounts payable and banking. "What this proves again is that anyone, in any business can be a victim of crime and employee theft," commented State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. "These thieves stole money, but they can not steal the many contributions and civic commitment the GMCC has made for our community as a whole. These thieves will be prosecuted, full restitution will be sought and the GMCC will continue to thrive. I wish to commend the City of Miami Police Department, State Attorney Office investigative accountants, prosecutors, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for all their efforts in piecing together the extensive paper trail of criminality that led to today's charges." In commenting about this arrest, Miami Police Chief, John F. Timoney stated, "Six months ago, Assistant Chief Louis Vega was appointed as Chief of Detectives, with the mandate to prioritize economic crimes. Today's arrest is an example of Chief Vega's efforts." Evelyn Minott is being charged with:
"We appreciate the thorough investigation performed by the State Attorney's Office on this case, " said George W. Foyo, President/CEO of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. "The Chamber is fully committed to the recovery of our losses on behalf of our members and the business community." State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle will be available for media comment upon request. Please contact Richard Kuper at (305) 547-0535 to make arrangements. Click here to view GMCC Statement of Facts ###  Contact: Ed Griffith 305-547-0535 12/07/04 Former Executive Director of Camillus House Surrenders Dale Simpson charged in misuse of Camillus House Resources Miami (December 7, 2004) - The former Executive Director of Camillus House, Dale Simpson, surrendered to State Attorney's Office investigators today after an investigation determined he had misused the charity's staff and resources for his own personal benefit. Investigators with the Miami-Dade County Office of the Inspector General (OIG) determined that between 2000 and 2003, Dale Simpson used labor provided by Camillus House employees during normal business hours and materials purchased with Camillus House funds through company credit cards in a tax-exempt status to complete numerous personal tasks and home improvement projects at residences he owned in Miami-Dade and Martin Counties. "Charities are always a public trust. Contributors expect those running a charity to have the good of the needy, not their own self-interest, in mind when they make decisions. Unfortunately, while he was Executive Director of Camillus House, Dale Simpson appeared to have forgotten this basic concept. His use of Camillus House employees, who were often intimidated and humiliated, to complete personal tasks and home improvement projects at residences he owned using materials purchased with Camillus House accounts were not errors or oversights. He took advantage of the disadvantaged. Under Florida law, his actions were crimes," said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. Dale Simpson is charged with:
Felony State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle will be available for interviews. Please call Ed Griffith at 305-547-0535 to make arrangements. ### Contact: Ed Griffith 305-547-0535 12/03/04 Leader of John Doe Drug Gang Convicted Corey Smith convicted after two-month trial Miami (December 3, 2004) - Corey Smith, the founder and leader of the notorious "John Doe" drug gang was convicted today in Miami-Dade Circuit Court. It took the jury two days to reach a verdict after a lengthy trial that started on October 4, 2004. Between 1995 and 1998, Corey Smith and his drug organization terrorized the Model City area of Miami using murder and violence to establish and expand his lucrative drug dealing business. "Corey Smith felt that he could undermine the justice system by casually taking the lives of those who might testify against him. Today, a jury told Corey Smith that he was wrong. Now he will face the ultimate penalty particularly for murdering Cynthia Brown, a woman who was willing to speak the truth about him and Jackie Pope, a deaf-mute who was a witness to the shooting of a Miami police officer," said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. "During his 3 year reign of terror, Corey Smith tried to convince the people of Miami that human life was dispensable and disposable. Jurors have told him otherwise. Today's verdict will permanently close the book on Corey Smith." Corey Smith was convicted of:
The State Attorney also complimented the exceptional professionalism of the lawyers who comprised the legal team that had doggedly pursued this case. State Attorney Fernandez Rundle also credited the professionalism of the City of Miami Police Department, the FBI, the DEA and the State Attorney Office investigative staff for compiling a detailed evidence picture that made the successful prosecution possible. ### Contact: Ed Griffith 305-547-0535 11/12/04 Charter School Founder Charged Scammed School District by Inflating School Population Miami (November 12, 2004) - Sharon M. Donald, the founder and executive director of the North Dade Community Charter School (NDCCS), located at 13850 N.W. 26 Avenue, Opa-Locka, Miami-Dade County, Florida, was arrested today at the conclusion of a joint investigation undertaken by the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office and the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Inspector General's Office. This is the first arrest made as a result of the investigative partnership in place between the State Attorney's Office and the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Inspector General's Office. NDCCS, which opened for business for the 2002/2003 school year, educated students from kindergarten through the fifth grade. NDCCS did not make a profit during its first year of operation and when the 2003?2004 school year began in August/September of 2003, the school was having financial difficulties. To overcome these problems, investigators allege that Sharon M. Donald deliberately inflated the number of students attending NDCCS by bringing in underage students from a local day care program to NDCCS and falsifying the records so that educational funds would flow to NDCCS. Charter Schools are funded by the State of Florida, through funding provided by the State Department of Education. The State Department of Education funnels money to charter schools via the local school district (in this case the Miami-Dade School District). The amount of funding for each charter school is determined, in part, by the student enrollment in the school. Due to the actions of Sharon M. Donald, NDCCS was to receive approximately $46,000 for the first half of the school year for the "new" class. The Miami-Dade School District actually distributed several thousand dollars of that amount to the NDCCS and was prepared to distribute the entire amount to the NDCCS at monthly intervals until investigators determined that the payments were improper. "I'm very proud to welcome the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Inspector General, Herbert Cousins, into our battle to arrest those who would cheat both the public, and our children," said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. "We will not tolerate anyone stealing our children's future." "This is the first of several cases involving fraud, waste and abuse the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Inspector General's Office is investigating in conjunction with the State Attorney's Office and other law enforcement agencies. This office is committed to restoring the public's confidence in the School District by diligently investigating cases involving fraud, waste and abuse," said Inspector General Herbert Cousins, Jr. Anyone wishing to provide information regarding fraud, waste and abuse within the Miami-Dade County Public School System is asked to please call the Office of the Inspector General's Hotline-305-819-3744. Sharon M. Donald is charged with the crime of Grand Theft in the Second Degree. Click here to view Affidavit in Support of Arrest Warrant ### Contact: Ed Griffith 305-547-0535 07/22/04 23 Arrested in Airport Scam Large-Scale Fuel Theft & Contract Fraud Uncovered by State Attorney's Office and Miami-Dade County Inspector General's Office Investigation Miami (July 22, 2004) - As a result of a 15 month criminal investigation at Miami International Airport, twenty-three (23) individuals were taken into custody since Wednesday on a variety of charges (predominantly Racketeering and Racketeering Conspiracy which are first degree felonies) relating to a pattern of fuel theft and contract fraud brought to the attention of authorities by Airport Director Angela Gittens. Through the actions of contract employees' working at the airport fuel farm, and with the knowledge of an airport official, at least 2.7 million gallons of jet fuel was stolen netting the thieves a minimum of $4 million dollars. Additionally, fraudulent contract schemes were uncovered which may amount to a minimum of $1.3 million in falsified charges. On Thursday afternoon, July 22, 2004, State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Miami-Dade County Inspector General Christopher Mazzella and Miami International Airport Director Angela Gittens held a joint press conference at the Office of the State Attorney to address issues relating to this matter. ### Contact: Ed Griffith 305-547-0535 08:11:04 Police Shooting Death of Worine Terrell Sams ### Contact: Ed Griffith 305-547-0535 06/22/04 State Attorney's Office & Florida Bar Family Law Section Create Child Support Partnership Miami (June 22, 2004) - A new partnership will be announced at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Florida Bar, being held at the Boca Raton Resort and Club on June 22 and 23, 2004 during the noon-time meeting of the attorneys representing the Family Law Section. Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle and Family Law Attorney Evan R. Marks, incoming president of Family Law Section, will be announcing a new partnership against "deadbeat dads" who fail to meet their child support responsibilities. One aspect of the Family Law/ State Attorney's Office partnership will include a targeting of the worst child support scofflaws for criminal prosecution. "Working hand-in-hand with the lawyers of the Family Law Section, we will be using all the opportunities now provided in the Florida Statutes to add the power of the criminal courts to the child support orders of our Family Court Judges," said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. "As Florida's only State Attorney with a Child Support Enforcement Division, I know that children deprived of the financial support are in danger of a downward slide toward criminality. The payment and collection of child support is an essential part of the overall fight against crime." The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office Child Support Enforcement Division has recently been the recipient of a number of awards for their work. The Florida Department of Revenue recently awarded the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office a Certificate of Achievement for being the County with the Highest Total Collections for Federal Fiscal Year 2002-2003 in the State of Florida. Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office collected $111,860,706. Additionally, the Child Support Enforcement Division received a Davis Productivity Award for the automation of time-intensive child support functions. This award recognizes state government employees whose work significantly increases productivity and promotes innovation in the delivery of state services while saving money for Florida taxpayers and businesses. The Boca Raton Resort and Club is located at 501 East Camino Real, Boca Raton, Florida. ### Contact: Ed Griffith 305-547-0535 06/17/04 Police Officers Charged in Sweetwater Incident Officer Allen St. Germain and Sergeant George Alvarez Charged Miami (August 11, 2004) - A lengthy and thorough investigation by the Miami-Dade State Attorney's office has resulted in the arrest today of two Sweetwater police officers. Officer Allen St. Germain and Sergeant George Alvarez were arrested today as the result of a series of events in the City of Sweetwater police headquarters that left Peter Daniel a victim of two lacerated organs and internal bleeding. "This criminal incident evolved from the theft of a jet ski from a Sweetwater officer's home to an outright abuse of police power and discretion by Officer St. Germain and Sergeant Alvarez," State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said. "It was a crime taken as a personal affront with the police headquarter's attack as a final, almost inevitable, result. Along the way, officers abandoned basic police standards by having civilians, in this case the city's mayor, transport the detained victim, in his personal car and by having officers roam outside their legal jurisdiction in their efforts to get this jet ski back. But the saddest comment from this investigation is how a room full of trained investigators can admit to seeing nothing even as they reluctantly disclose that they heard something going wrong. No police department can ever be the personal tool of any individual officer or officers." Both Officer Allen St. Germain and Police Sergeant George Alvarez are charged with 1 count Felony Battery and 1 count Official Misconduct. These are 3rd degree felony offenses. ### Contact: Ed Griffith 305-547-0535 04/13/04 North Bay Village Mayor & Commissioner Charged Plotted the Firing of City Manager After Manager Contacted Law Enforcement Miami (August 11, 2004) - North Bay Village Mayor Alan Dorne was arrested today and Commissioner Armand Abecassis is scheduled to be arrested tonight by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office investigators as the result of an investigation of their official conduct relating to North Bay Village City Manager Dr. James Vardalis. As retaliation for Dr. Vardalis' having contacted FDLE regarding an incident focusing on Police Chief Irving Heller, a life-long friend of Mayor Alan Dorne, Mayor Dorne and Commissioner Abecassis met with fellow commissioners in violation of Florida's public meetings and records law, also known as the Sunshine Law, to discuss how they would orchestrate the manager's firing. North Bay Village Mayor Alan Dorne is charged with 3 counts of violating the Sunshine Law, a 2nd degree misdemeanor. North Bay Village Commissioner Armand Abecassis is charged with 2 counts of violating the same law, also a 2nd degree misdemeanor. "To have to arrest two more public officials of North Bay Village is a very sad occasion for this small community. However, when elected officials seek to retaliate against someone who is willing to talk to law enforcement about improper activities, these officials are working against the interests of the people who elected them. If officials can silence those who feel a crime or an impropriety may have been committed, then people have a right to feel cynical about their government. Neither I nor FDLE would ever sit by and allow that to happen." Since the violations of the Sunshine Law occurred while Mayor Alan Dorne and Commissioner Armand Abecassis were performing their official duties, Governor Bush has the option to suspend them from their elected offices. At present, Governor Bush has been notified of the arrests. Click here to view Affidavit in Support of Arrest Warrant ### Contact: Ed Griffith 305-547-0535 04/06/04 Statement by State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle On the Shooting Death of Denzel Smith-Graham Miami (April 6, 2004) - "I have just met with the family of Denzel Smith-Graham to discuss with them first-hand, the legal analysis just completed by my prosecutors of the events surrounding the shooting death of their son. Sixteen-year-old Denzel Smith-Graham was fatally shot during an incident involving the North Miami Beach police on November 27, 2003 after police had been called to an apartment complex following the report of a man with a gun. At the time of his death, the weapon found in Denzel Smith-Graham's possession was a BB gun designed to be a realistic imitation of a firearm. Based on the evidence supplied by the Medical Examiner and the testimony developed during the investigation as explicitly discussed in this report, the shooting of Denzel Smith-Graham, while extremely tragic, does not meet the standards under Florida law required to file criminal charges. As a result, we will not be charging the police officer involved in Denzel Smith-Graham's death. Today, I am releasing a comprehensive closeout memorandum, with exhibits, on the investigation that will provide the public with a straightforward and accessible examination of all of the information uncovered during the investigation of this tragic incident." Copies of the close out memorandum will be available through the Office of the State Attorney during working hours. Click here to view Close-Out Memorandum Click on the photo links below to view: ###
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