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You're listening to Giraffe Kings Network.
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Host 3
South Florida this morning.
Host 1
A Miami strip club on the water.
Host 3
Had to close down early this morning.
Host 6
After a yacht caught fire.
Host 3
But it's not just any yacht. That yacht was being rented by well known rapper and producer Metro Boomin. The y'all was located on a dock area behind the Booby Trap on the River Strip club. More than 30 Miami Dade fire rescue.
Host 6
Units responded to this scene, the incident.
Host 9
Causing a large crowd to take a.
Host 3
Look at what was happening right outside. It's gonna explode and I'm like literally not trying to be around this.
Host 9
The yacht eventually sank into the Miami River.
Host 1
Hashtag because Miami.
Host 6
I feel bad for anyone who's just listening to the podcast because that video was sensational. That was a Because Miami moment if ever there was one. It was a near tragedy at BT's on the river aka Booby Trap last weekend. I mean just craziness. So Metro Boomin hip hop producer and artist rents a 95 foot yacht, cruises up the Miami river to BT's to a riverside strip club. And the thing lights on fire and the bouncers and security, they hear like alarms, they see smoke and they go running over. There's like 10 crew members on board. They take them off. The next thing you know the thing just is a fireball and and everybody in the strip club starts running out on the street. And what's amazing about it is that like the party just continue. They're just making it rain in the street outfits.
Host 3
My God, the outfits coming to the scene were amazing. The stripper clothes, it was the best.
Host 6
Yeah, they're all just running out and they're like schlepping their bags. Did you hear the Spanish thongs and boots? And this is Bao Labaros AKA Paulie stand up comic extraordinaire and voiceover artist who, who you were saying before the show you speak accurate Spanish, which is. What does that mean?
Host 3
I speak that TV Spanish, which, like, if you're from Miami, you know that none of our countries really speaks like that. Like, if you're from Cuba, if you're from Venezuela, if you're from Chile, if you're from Dominican Republic, nobody speaks in like that. Like, bienvenido al program. Bienvenido a porque Miami, amigo. Like, where is that country that speaks like that? You know what I mean?
Host 6
It's like this, I guess, Telemundo.
Host 3
Is it a country? Imagine.
Host 6
Why.
Host 3
So what is.
Host 6
So what is Miami Spanish sound like?
Host 3
You heard it in the video. It's like, you know, it's like. It's awesome. It's like, my Uber driver today was the best. I mean, he was just like. Like, he was like, where you going? Like, dress so, like. Like, like, because I'm wearing a very short skirt, none of y'all can see. But he was very genuinely curious. And that's how Miami is. We're very, like, loose. Loose in our subjects and loose in our, you know, diction, because we don't really finish words. And it's very, like, you know, boy.
Host 6
Loose and diction when we're talking about trap.
Host 3
And that's the thing. You don't call it booby trap if you don't want shit like that to happen around it. I'm sorry. It's like a. It's just meant to happen.
Host 6
Absolutely. There's, like, 30 fire trucks.
Host 3
Was it a blunt? Was it a blunt someone left on the boat or was it electrical?
Host 6
They are investigating. I have no idea. But 30 fire trucks showed up. It was like, this huge fire because apparently, because the size of the boat and the amount, like, the fuel load, it was just.
Host 7
Bar could be liquor.
Host 6
It was just. Or it could be.
Host 3
And they were throwing money at cash. Did you see that in the street?
Host 6
Well, the show must go on. Like, just because everybody got forced out, out out of the club onto the street for safety doesn't mean what nobody wants to go, clearly. And. And what happens in Booby Trap stays on Instagram. Apparently. Everybody's just, like, running out the customers and the dancers and.
Host 3
But everybody looked, like, amazing, and they looked amazing. It's the best fire scene I've ever seen.
Host 6
And nobody got injured either from the fire or from, like, falling on those heels. Those heels are epic.
Host 3
Meanwhile, we have, like, all this tragedy happen on the other, you know, coast with fires and this, like, we just make fires look way too fun. We should not. It's not Good.
Host 6
And the boat ultimately sank. The shot, there's footage of the boat just all of a sudden listing. Bottom of the bay sinking into the Miami River. It's really rather incredible.
Host 3
And this one girl was like, that was my client. That was my client. And now I'm. Now. Because like he wasn't spending money, I guess what's the difference?
Host 6
Was a rental boat. What does he care? It's probably insured. He still got whatever cash. He came into the club.
Host 3
I, he, she didn't get to work with him or on him or. How do you work on a man when you're a stripper? Do you?
Host 7
Yeah, you said it.
Host 3
On him.
Host 6
I don't know.
Host 3
I don't know.
Host 6
Ask Roy, apparently.
Host 3
Do you go to strip club? Yeah.
Host 6
No.
Host 3
A lot of married men like go to strip clubs.
Host 6
I feel BTS is great and BTS on the river is a spectacle. And the one in South Miami, which is a lot smaller and more intimate, is also pretty cool. I've heard from friends, people have told me about it. I don't know that I've ever yet.
Host 3
Of course, you know, just look at.
Host 6
IG what are you talking about? I've been to both locations in one night. Okay.
Host 3
Oh yeah. Who has better food?
Host 6
Oh yeah.
Host 3
I don't know.
Host 7
Better wings over there.
Host 6
Finger licking. So the licking. That's right. So snow, Snow in Florida, man.
Host 3
Fire to snow. Well, we've done it.
Host 6
I've seen fire, I've seen rain. Historic, historic snow. I guess if it just snows at all in Florida, that would be historic. But the quantities of snow were wild.
Host 3
Snow began falling yesterday afternoon covering areas like Panama City beach and Pensacola. Some places receiving as much as 5 inches. An event few Floridians ever expected to see. Hazardous road conditions on I10 forced travelers to stop at hotels overnight.
Host 6
We have snowstorms in Dallas, but not like this. This is the first and incredible, like a blizzard on the interstate. And I was the only car at 5 o'clock in the afternoon.
Host 3
Officials have closed roads and are urging residents to stay indoors as freezing temperatures persist.
Host 6
They got five inches. That's what they got.
Host 3
That's what I.
Host 6
Is that what you got?
Host 3
No, no.
Host 6
So. So we went from making it rain to making it snow. And Tallahassee got about 2 or 3 inches. Milton, Florida, this was all, all this action was in the panhandle of Florida. They got between nine and ten inches of snow. In Milton, Pensacola got seven and a half inches. I mean just record breaking snowfall, which of course proves that global warming is a Lie.
Host 3
A complete. It's the opposite.
Host 6
Because it's. It's bullshit. Allows bullshit. Yeah. So it's. And then, and then you notice they changed it from global warming to climate change. Just in case. Well, it gets too hot, it gets too cold. You know, I would say, though, and not a meteorologist, folks, I would say record breaking snowfall coming off a very busy hurricane season with very powerful storms and very hot waters in the Gulf of America to record breaking snow in Florida. We're talking about. These records were doubled, by the way.
Host 3
I think the beach pictures. Like, it's insane.
Host 6
It's insane. It's like it looked like Miami in the 80s. There was so much white powder on the, on the ground.
Host 3
Nobody in Florida is ready, like their wardrobe. But that guy was in a T shirt. He was like, and we're getting snow and he's still in a T shirt.
Host 6
Like, guy Harvey over here.
Host 3
Have you seen Florida people's winter clothes? You guys, Are you kidding?
Host 7
This is my winter.
Host 6
I'm wearing the only, the only North Face thing that I own right now. So I'm just like, it's freezing out. It's like 58 degrees. I need a Shimota.
Host 3
And you're wearing shorts. No. Are you?
Host 6
Well, I, like, I just came from the, from the champagne room at bts.
Host 3
Of course you did. No, but that shorts, that's the Miami dress code. It's like this, like, it's always like a sweater that they got like a sports game, right? Like a, like a universal. Yeah, like a dolphin sweater and like shorts and chunkletas and like, bro. Like, they're not equipped. I'm sorry, can you translate for, for our audience the thing that your mom uses for dusiple. No, it's the. Yes. It's actually a tool for discipline that your parents wear on your feet or anyone wears other feet. It's called. What is it?
Host 6
You can actually hire a girl BTS to spank you with. I mean, I heard, I heard special. I heard from a friend there's a.
Host 3
That sounds.
Host 7
Minor league baseball team named them for like a Hispanic.
Host 6
Really?
Host 3
That's great.
Host 7
There's a cap and everything.
Host 6
But I do want to say, again, not a meteorologist, but I do want to say that going from a frightening hurricane season with warm waters and powerful storms, more powerful and plentiful than ever, to a January with like doubling the inches in snowfall in the state of Florida, it seems alarming to me.
Host 3
We're on our like 12th day of like, weather in our 60s. In the 60s, which is crazy for Miami because we don't have seasons. And this is the first year that I feel like we have a little bit of a season.
Host 6
The first year in a while. But, like, this all just feels like when people say when hell freezes over, it kind of feels like hell is freezing over.
Host 3
I know. My Miami girls. My Miami girls are all happy about this winter hair. Like, there is, like, very little humidity. Like, look at this winter hair, y'all. Like, this is Miami girl hair heaven.
Host 6
We went from Bratz summer to. What's the winter? Miami girl hair winter. Is that what this is?
Host 3
Yeah, Miami hair winter. I don't know. We'll make the words fit later. I said my Spanish was good, not my English.
Host 6
I'm having a bad hair day.
Host 3
No, you're having a great. Why were you bitching about your hairline? I'm just.
Host 6
I'm just pining for comments.
Host 3
Your hair's amazing.
Host 6
I'm just. I'm just. I'm feeling like Jesse on Full House today, though, about that. Everybody talking about the hair. Me? Really?
Host 7
John Stamos? You're comparing yourself to Stamos?
Host 6
No, I'm not. I'm comparing my hair. Okay.
Host 7
Just like you're comparing your hair to samos.
Host 3
You're goddamn right, meatball.
Host 7
Oh, man.
Host 3
And Uncle Joey is actually just starting chemo, so that's. Let's give it out to Uncle Joey, not Jesse. Jesse's the one with the good hair. And Joey is starting chemo. That's terrible.
Host 6
Guys, feed Dave Coulier from the. From the Alanis Morissette song? Yes.
Host 3
Which one? Starting Chemo. That's a song?
Host 6
No. Jesus Christ. No.
Host 3
Okay.
Host 6
No. Even though they have. I hear they have very good health care in Canada, but. No, you don't know. Are we gonna have to tell our. It's the 90s, Paula. How do you not know about this?
Host 3
You were either a rap. What was it called? A baser. Or a rocker in the 90s. Right. You only listened to rock or. Or like.
Host 6
Right. Do you want to tell her I.
Host 3
Was Miami bass girl?
Host 7
Yeah. It's a Buddha bass down here. I don't know about anybody else.
Host 6
Are you going to tell her about Alanis Morissette and Dave Coulier?
Host 7
Yeah. Apparently Dave Coulier broke her heart, Joey.
Host 6
Yeah. And in the song you ought to know.
Host 3
No.
Host 6
Is about her breakup with Dave Coulier.
Host 3
Are you thinking of Beat me when you her that lyric?
Host 6
Are you thinking of me?
Host 3
Yeah. Are you thinking of me when you.
Host 6
Yeah. And. And the theater episode.
Host 3
You're lying.
Host 6
No, no, we're not making this up. Lie detector test determined that was a lie. Why would I, by the way? Why would I make that up? What a weird thing to make up. You are weird, but what a weird thing to make up. I am a historian and I'm, I'm, I'm spitting.
Host 3
Fact is, Danielle and is more set. Okay, cool. Atlantis. I just call her Atlantis. Morset. Okay, I need to be.
Host 6
That's. That was a Freudian slip. Because Miami will soon be the lost city of Atlantis. You know, and I really thought, you know, that Miami was going to be the case study for the loss effectively, of a major American city and billions, if not trillions of dollars in real estate as a result of a climate induced natural disaster. And it turns out la, of course, is going to be that case study. And what's going to happen, it's going to inform what's going to happen here. Just with respect to insurance and everything. And I don't think it's going to be.
Host 3
They're just trying to build and build and build and build and build and they don't see it. Like, what could possibly turn my island into Dubai? Have you seen I live in the cutest little island guys on 79th street, like off of.
Host 6
You're going to dox yourself right now in the pod. What's going.
Host 3
Oh, my God. Come over, guys. I am.
Host 6
I heard. Yes. She has super fun karaoke nights.
Host 3
Super fun karaoke nights. And everyone on the podcast is invited. Just holler.
Host 6
So, you know, we have run out of time to talk about that and your boy Luigi. So I just came from city hall in Miami this week, which we will no doubt talk about next week. And you will see all about online with me versus once again going, going another round grappling with Joe Carollo.
Host 3
How has Joe Carollo not taken a hit out on you yet?
Host 6
Well, because he's a bully who likes to punch down.
Host 7
In God we trust.
Host 6
That's not the one I was looking for. He's a white beater.
Host 9
Wife be.
Host 6
That's the one. Because he only likes to hit women. That's where that was gonna be my punchline for you. So now you're gonna have to come back again so we can talk about your boyfriend, Luigi Mangione.
Host 3
Well, yeah, I mean, I can't claim that. I feel like he's all everyone's boyfriend.
Host 6
And we have to talk about. So I have apparently inspired Paula to go to her city hall.
Host 3
Yes, you did.
Host 6
And speak truth to power and try to stop the destruction of some beautiful historic buildings and completely destroy the, the character and history and personality of your neighborhood. So I guess that's. We'll do that.
Host 3
Three times the charm. I'll come back.
Host 6
We'll do that next time. But coming up next, the prosecutorial misconduct scandal that has been engulfing Miami Dade county is spreading. And we'll be joined by Michelle Borchu and Adam Goodman, criminal defense attorneys who keep getting one defendant after another off and also and also getting them released from prison.
Host 7
That's next.
Host 2
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Host 7
Hey, Jeremy.
Host 6
Yes, Mike?
Host 7
Have you ever had a fireside conversation during a football Sunday during the winter?
Host 2
Sure. We don't have a lot of fireplaces down here, but I've had the premise of it.
Host 7
I wish I could, but it's South Florida. When it gets down to the 60s, we're like, we're bundled up, but certainly no fireplaces. Still too warm for that. But we do have our football Sundays. And one thing that always makes football Sundays good. And I know you've had plenty of experience in your life with this Miller time.
Host 5
Oh, yeah.
Host 7
Miller Lite makes the winter better. It makes football Sundays better. It makes even hanging out around you better.
Host 2
Thanks, Mike.
Host 9
That was kind.
Host 7
I appreciate that. You're my friend. When I have a Miller Lite in my hand, pretty much everybody is my friend. Because we are like minded. Because we like beer that actually tastes like beer. Ugh. And now the new year. It's the perfect time to have a Miller time. Miller Light is brewed for taste. People out there, I want you to listen to me. And Jeremy, you too, because you know it hits just different than other light beers. The original light beer since 1975 and still the very best one, Miller Light. Great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. Tastes like Miller Time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.
Host 10
After nearly six years of being behind bars, Isaiah Desire and Alex Alexander became free minutes after their second degree murder and drug charges were wiped out. Prosecutors were counting on the third co defendant, Latravia's Rolle, to testify against his friends. Rolle, who was facing up to life in prison for the same murder, accepted a deal and got three years in exchange for his testimony. But this week, defense attorneys obtained an email sent by a former prosecutor which they say proves Rolle was forced to lie and threatened with a longer prison sentence. Because of the email, state attorneys were forced to drop the murder case. Bourcio says it was another example of misconduct done by Michael von Zahmf, a former top prosecutor who resigned after he was disqualified from a death penalty case last year.
Host 6
So this is the continuing fallout of a historic misconduct scandal that has been plaguing the Miami Dade State Attorney's office. I would argue for over 30 years, but this has just exploded in the last year and now since I believe, November, these attorneys can correct me if I'm mistaken. There have been at least three people whose sentences were either drastically reduced or in this case were completely exonerated as a result of on the part of Katherine Fernandez Rundle, the Miami Dade State Attorney, our top cop. Some people know that job in other states as a district attorney or D.A. we call it a state attorney here in Florida. And she has been our state attorney since Janet Reno left for the Bill Clinton administration as attorney general, what, 92, 93. That's how long she has been the prosecutor and that's how long this injustice department has been churning bodies of innocent people and in some cases, by the way, perhaps guilty people, but people whose constitutional rights were violated. Cuz spoiler alert, Paul, you can't frame a guilty person. You know, if law enforcement is violating constitutional rights, it's not okay. And people gotta walk. And that does not make our community a safe place. When prosecutors are doing the wrong thing, whether it's to innocent people or guilty people, society kind of ceases to function properly.
Host 3
What does Ms. Rundle get from like, pardon my ignorance on this, I'm just like, what does she gain from having them released with her?
Host 6
I don't think it's a matter of what she Gains because what she has is consistent power for over three decades. And by the way, when you're a prosecutor, you have the power to deprive people of life, liberty and property. You're more powerful than even, than even the governor, arguably the president in some cases. I mean, you are the king or queen of the community in which your jurisdiction occurs. I think more to the point is that there are no consequences for this misconduct so far. And that's what's really troubling about it is the total lack of accountability, particularly coming from the person who is supposed to be our top cop, who is supposed to be holding people accountable, who police is the police who prosecutes the prosecutors in this case. Just for a little perspective on this, I wanna show these two other cases that I was talking about.
Host 10
In 2010, 15 year old Sabrina O'Neal was gunned down. Taji Pearson was found guilty. Pearson got life in prison. But today that sentence was thrown out.
Host 3
We could not confirm that it was.
Host 7
Turned over to the defense.
Host 10
Prosecutors admitted some evidence was not given to Pearson's attorneys by the former prosecutor on the case, Michael Von Zomf Corey.
Host 5
Smith, the leader of Liberty City's violent drug gang known as the John does. In the 1990s, Smith was sentenced to death for the murders of two people. But two decades later, this state will no longer pursue the death penalty.
Host 7
If I call her and she refuses.
Host 6
Then I will find a way to make her unavailable and then I can.
Host 10
Read her whole testimony.
Host 5
The senior prosecutor of the case, Michael Von Zamft, resigning in March over that damning jailhouse phone call to a convicted killer connected to the gang. A judge issuing a rare order earlier this year removing prosecutors after misconduct including manipulating witnesses and improperly withholding relevant records from the defense.
Host 6
Criminal defense attorneys Michelle Borchu and Adam Goodman have been involved in at least two of those three cases that we've talked about so far. Guys, welcome to Because Miami. I say welcome back to Because Miami. I want to start flashback to the first case that we were talking about at the top of the show which is just happened last week. Can you tell us, give us a little bit of background on that case? How long has it been going on and what is this kind of bombshell email that seemed to suddenly pop up that change the fates of your clients?
Host 9
So what I've been on the case. It's a 2019 case. The defendants had been in custody since 2019. They did go to a bond hearing which they were denied the right to release pending their trial. Even though going through the testimony, it seemed as if they probably should have been released, but a judge denied them that opportunity. And I've been on the case since, I believe, 22, maybe 21. Michelle just got on the case the end of last year. We wanted to put together a good team on this case. We thought that would, you know, two minds are better than one. And so as the case progressed, we were getting ready to proceed to trial. We thought it was a very weak case to begin with, independent of, I guess the legal term you used is. That's the official legal term.
Host 6
Pardon my Hebrew.
Host 9
Yes, that's the official legal term. I think that they teach in law school. And we were proceeding to trial as is, with a co defendant. Mr. Roll had taken a plea, believe in 22. And as part of that plea, we were able to, you know, do our public records request. And sometimes you get exactly what you want, and sometimes you stumble upon, you know, something that you didn't intend to get. And we were able to find an email from a prosecutor that basically spoke to Mr. Van Zanth, who I worked against and with when I was at the state attorney's office. And it was essentially along the lines of, we don't agree with what he's saying with his sworn statements that he's provided to us. We know he wants to resolve the case. He needs to basically change his story to fit our theory of the case, otherwise he's gonna be facing more jail time. All of a sudden, he changes his story.
Host 6
Oh, how about that?
Host 9
Yeah, he comes to court, we do an evidentiary hearing maybe a week or two before trial, and he's now saying all of a sudden, it's something totally different that was consistent with his prior sworn statements. And we just got. We did get lucky. Luck's often involved in some of these cases. Michelle had a request pending, and the request came in after we picked a jury. It came to us. And we were lucky that, you know, we had good prosecutors, because there are good prosecutors at the office too. Casey Hughes, Alejandra de la Fuente were on this case. They were not on it very long. And within a day, before we even started court the next day, she'd done the right thing and decided that this isn't a case that they could proceed on in good faith. Faith, which is very tough to do on any case, but especially when there's next of kin involved. And they went through their proper channels, and they dismissed the case.
Host 6
Michelle, Adam says, luck. I say, raw talent. This is not your first rodeo. In just the past few Months you've been on the show before, you talked about how the Corey Smith case, here's a man who was on death row, who, because of prosecutorial misconduct, is no longer on death row. And you, I guess, kind of saw that as the first domino to fall here. And it was your, I think, as I. I recall, kind of casual observing of that case, just sitting in. In the gallery there, where you're like, oh, shit, like a light bulb went off in your head. Like, I got to start digging around because this is really, really bad here. And so what I want to ask, though, is that all roads seem to lead to Michael Von Zamp. It seems like the tree kind of rotted from him, but it appears to me, in this case, I see that it's redacted in the video that we showed, but this email was not from Michael von Zandt. This was from another prosecutor. So the bad apple spoils the batch here. So in this case, like, it seems like there is a culture of corruption in this state attorney's office, because this isn't like, I don't want to blame everything on Michael Von Zam because it doesn't seem necessarily that he was the culprit or responsible for the misconduct. In this particular case, I would say.
Host 1
That he had his hand in it. It goes to show how pervasive it is when you have a bad apple in an office, especially when that bad apple is put in a position to train incoming state attorneys, to train career state attorneys on what needs to be turned over, how you treat witnesses, how you take statements, and how you interact with the defense team. And here the email was not directly from Michael Von Zomp. However, the. The prior state attorney that was handling the case said that she had consulted with him and reviewed the flip codefendant statement with him, and they collectively decided that it was not. It was not satisfactory. So that leads me to believe that he was obviously her supervisor or some type of mentor, and she went to him with a sworn statement that was under oath, and they decided that that statement doesn't fit their theory of the facts. It would not help them convict the two other co defendants. And they gave him the opportunity to come in and make a new statement under oath. One of them has to be a lie, right? If they're both under oath and they're different, and I would beg to say that the second one's probably the lie, and they moved forward with it after he. After that email was sent out about six months later, he came in, gave a new sworn statement, and he was given credit, time served and released from jail. So he gave them what they wanted. And it was something that would that put the nail in the casket to move forward with a case against the two other defendants. So it's actually four cases that have been affected by this. Taji Pearson's co defendant, Jimmy Washington, was resentenced this week just by virtue of the issues that happened on Taji's case.
Host 6
So let me ask you, Adam, you can take this and Michelle, you can could certainly contribute here. What does this say about the culture in the office? You know, I often say, because I for years I've been trying to figure out why there has not been an organized effort to get some new blood in that office. Again, we've had the same state attorney for over three decades, and I've always find that the criminal defense bar is usually pretty supportive of Kathy Rundle every four years at election time. I know part of it is just sort of, I guess, a force of habit or inertia or you got to contribute to whatever campaign you can contribute to, even though this is a nonpartisan position. No party or nobody has really put forth a kind of substantive challenge to her term after term and election cycle after election cycle. And I found, I think, that people kind of like how incompetent and corrupt the office is because they know how to deal with it. They know how to beat them. And I find that we now have, after over three decades, multiple generations of lawyers in South Florida who have been trained not in the law or the Constitution, but in Kathy's law. And so it's one thing what you learn in law school, and then it's another thing when you go to practice and are admitted to the bar in criminal defense or, you know, criminal justice or in the prosecutor's office here in Dade County. And you discover, well, this isn't this ain't like them law school textbooks that I learned from. This is a totally different game and a totally different set of rules. And it's whatever Kathy and her lead prosecutors like Michael von Zampf and the people that he trains to misbehave, apparently, in this way. So what does this say about the culture overall at the office? You've said there was good prosecutors. Of course there are. There's a lot of people who work there. But is there a problem? Is this a pattern of practice? Is this pervasive?
Host 9
It's an interesting thing because it's such a large office. I don't think people realize how big the Miami Dade State Attorney's office is and how many attorneys there are, because there's not just, just the criminal aspect, but there's even the child support division, which, when I work there, these are people you don't even know. You work with them. They've been working there just as long as you. They could have been there 20 years. And I think what happens, and this is gonna happen to any large office, probably in New York or any of these big cities, is that the offices are very large, so you have to delegate to a lot of people. And you have a lot of turnover. Because prosecutors, it's the same with the public defenders, are not paid a lot. Even Kathryn Fernandez Rundle doesn't make a lot of money. I think it's like low 200,000, which is.
Host 6
I left my violin in the car. I'll, I'll play later for her.
Host 9
No, but it's a lot of money, but it's not a lot for what someone can make in private practice and with these law school loans and your debt and the price of everything going up.
Host 6
So she's here because she's a public servant then, Adam.
Host 9
She's, I mean, I can't say why she's still doing it, but she's, she's doing it for. As public service. And a lot of people who might want to do the job don't want to take the pay cut. But having said that, when you have a large office, you start, you have a big turnover. And when you have a big turnover, I often say, you know, the cream rises and leaves. So a lot of people who are very good at that job will get an offer from someone else. And they either have kids in private school or they're, they're starting a family or they have to pay off their debt, so they decide to leave. Some people stay and they, and they love it and they, and they, they deal with the financial hardships, but some people can't. And I think when you start at that job, you are, it's your, it's usually your first job. Now, there are some people who've worked at other jobs and have life experience, but generally speaking, you're. Prosecutors are starting at around 25, 26, and they have no life experience, and they're getting supervised by attorneys who are one year ahead of them. And then once they are done, there are other supervisors, but there's so many courtrooms, they don't get to see how to train them because they're just basically managing the day to day. They then get to felonies eventually, and it's kind of the same thing. You know, a lot of people don't get, you know, get. Some get great training and some get not so great training. And I think that all comes down at the end of the day with how the office overly operates. And people are afraid, you know, sometimes are afraid. And when you say the culture at the office, I've had, you know, some attorneys that say there's, you know, that work there that are no problems and completely. I had a prosecutor call me last night who I didn't even really know her that well, and she's a higher up felony prosecutor. And she's like, I'm concerned working here because I don't like how I'm pressured to do certain things. I don't even really know her that well. I had to double check, is she still a prosecutor? Like, I might have had one case with her. So I thought it was kind of interesting that she called me of all people. But, you know, some people are concerned with it because they work there and they're trying to do the right thing. And so when you say at the beginning of the interview that there could be more powerful than like the President of the United states. Yes. You're 23 years old, 26 years old, and you control someone's future. So it's tough to make the right call because you just don't know. And I think that's kind of the problem is people who work there. It is hurting the community because even if it's relegated to a few cases here or there, you're scaring away good prosecutors, you're scaring away good attorneys, and you're building a distrust in the community. So when you have people come in for jury duty and they see a case, they're gonna be distrustful of prosecutors because they've seen it on the news that this happens and that happens. And so people who the state might have a really good case against are going to be found not guilty or they're not going to be able to proceed on a case.
Host 1
I want to touch on this as well and kind of link it up to the case that we're talking about. When I came on the case late in the game and I was trying to figure out why this person changed their statement so drastically, I started asking people about the prosecutor that was on the case before the current prosecutors, and everyone said, she is reasonable, she's a straight shooter, she goes by the law. So I thought, all right, well, there's probably nothing nefarious here. And when I got that email with her name on it, and her being directed by Michael von Zamp to do what was done on this case, that's what made me really realize the pervasiveness of it. And it doesn't matter how many good prosecutors you have in office, if you have bad ones that are directing them, that are turning a blind eye and that are at the top of the office, that are supervising and that are making the ultimate decisions at the end of the day. So obviously I have a little more a different approach to it. I think that the bad apple does spoil the bunch. And I've had a lot of conversations with the quote, unquote good prosecutors that left the office that I can say were good, that I had a good relationship with, they did the right thing. And, and it is often if it's not I'm overworked and have too large of a caseload, it's I refuse to to play those games anymore.
Host 6
Michelle Borchu Adam Goodman Criminal Defense attorneys if you get in trouble in Miami, you know who to call. Thank you guys so much.
Host 3
Thank you.
Host 6
Thanks.
Host 1
Thank you.
Host 7
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Host 5
In a 24 page federal whistleblower lawsuit, Jose Suarez, the former executive director of the Bayfront Park Management Trust, says he was pressured to resign after raising concerns of misused trust funds under the direction of Commissioner Joe Corollo to chairman of the trust. Among the allegations, Suarez says the commissioner warned him to quote lawyer up after Suarez and Jose Canto, the trust's former director of finance, agreed to assist in an internal affairs investigation over alleged control substances that were found in a mobile veterinarian truck bought with trust funds at Maurice Ferre park. This followed a $20,000 invoice from a private charter yacht where the men claim. Claim Corollo held a personal holiday party.
Host 6
In the immortal words of Miami poet laureate DJ Khaled. Another one, another one. It is another First Amendment retaliation lawsuit against Joe Carollo. And this time it's his former chief of staff, Jose Suarez, who he made the executive director of this Bayfront Park Management Trust and Jose Kanto, who is the trust's former finance director, are suing Joe for targeting them and retaliating against them when they became whistleblowers and tried to expose, if you can believe it, corruption and waste and mismanagement and misappropriation of funds at Bayfront park, which is directly across the street from where we are right now. And the story is loco.
Host 3
Loco.
Host 6
It's loco. Like, like I should mention this too. Jeff Gutches is the attorney. He is the 63 and a half million dollar man. He won that corruption lawsuit against Joe a year and a half ago that they were awarded 63 and a half million dollars because that's how, how corrupt he is. What I have is very small and about less than five inches I'm thinking. And so let's, let's start here. Can we start with the cash rooms? Can we start with the, the money rooms? It's like something out of Casino. Totally.
Host 3
Money rooms, right?
Host 6
Yeah.
Host 3
Like from the parking.
Host 6
Yeah, it's like you, you can hear Joe Pesci like talking about this skim, you know, like when you're watching this, but right next to Don R. So what's been happening is that they were taking cash for parking and there was just employees running around with tens of thousands of dollars like a month. I got a chance to go to a press conference cuz they couldn't be here on the show. So you'll hear now from Jose Suarez, the plaintiff, and Jeff Gutchis, the attorney.
Host 4
The parking operation that used to be a cash business. And apparently the money was stored in what was called, called the money room.
Host 8
And in that room, any given night there'd be 30 or 40 or 50 or $60,000 of cash sitting there.
Host 4
There were employees that would take, I don't know, 20, 30, $40,000 in cash to the bank to deposit.
Host 8
And who knows what happened to any of the money along the way or where it went to.
Host 4
One of my first actions was to cease that and turn it to strictly credit cards operation just because of the liability. Why would you ever put an employee in the position to walk around with tens of thousands of dollars to go deposit in the bank. A lot can happen between the trust.
Host 6
And getting to the bank.
Host 8
He was told not to do that. It was result in lesser revenue. And of course it resulted in higher revenue because no more skimming. Right. So once he required credit cards as the revenue.
Host 6
A lot can happen, you know, like that Miami tax.
Host 3
It's a bugging, a cash only, you know. You heard that Miami. So much. Cash only, cash only. I love it so much. I could just imagine leaving the park.
Host 7
How the buildings get built here.
Host 6
Yeah. And by the way, apparently there's a story about how you could get VIP. So it's $20 a car, but VIP 40. But nobody ever saw that other 20. I understand. So it's all sorts of mis. Alleged mysteries going on over there. And among the crazy accusations is they apparently bought with public money, with trust money. They bought a 2007 Ford, like trailer van that was worth blue book, about $30,000. Well, they paid $115,000 for it to some shady fly by night LLC that kind of came and went for this transaction. And they did it on what they call an emergency procurement, which means there's no competitive bidding that is mandated by city charter and by the law. They say, oh, this is an emergency. We have to get this. We want to get this mobile vet unit to be in the dog and cat part. We must have it now to offer veterinary services in our dog park, at the Bayfront park in Maurice Ferre Park. But they've never used it.
Host 3
Never used it.
Host 6
It's just been sitting there for like two years, totally unused. The story gets even crazier.
Host 4
There was a pet mobile, a veterinarian mobile. Veterinarian mobile that was purchased by the trust with the intent of providing veterinarian services at Maurice Ferre Park.
Host 8
First of all, who puts a mobile veterinary clinic into a park in the first place? It's a crazy idea. They don't even have a veterinary vet to work inside the truck. And who did they buy it from? Where did this hundred and fifteen thousand dollars go to?
Host 3
This guy's the best.
Host 6
What is a vetmobile without a vet? It's just, I don't know. Driving an alleged, like money laundering operation. I don't know what the it is.
Host 3
But I also want to side note, Suarez is adorable. Like, that man is so cute. Okay. Just in case he's sad about this show.
Host 6
Is. Is apparently better than J. Date. You're like you were flirting with David.
Host 3
Sampson Last my 40s. Billy. What do you want?
Host 6
Are you. Are you okay?
Host 3
37. No, that's crazy. That's. No, he's very adorable. He's a very adorable man.
Host 6
I'll give you his number.
Host 3
But the, the vet, the vet thing, didn't they find drugs or something?
Host 6
Because Miami, it gets even crazier. So maybe the, the reason that the price was $115,000 is because this wasn't just a car sale. It may have been a drug deal. Because this guy, Jose Suarez, discovers all of these controlled substances, these animal drugs that should only be in the possession of like a pharmacist or a doctor or a real veterinarian, but they were just like stored in some like closet in a city building.
Host 3
Animal dogs.
Host 4
I was taken to one of the storage rooms where there were veterinarian supplies there. Medical veterinarian supplies. So I don't know exactly all of it, but I think it's all here. Looks like it is medical stuff. I don't know, cuz I haven't opened any of it. I immediately contacted our assistant city attorney and the decision was made that the best option was to have the police department take possession of these.
Host 6
You were just saying animal drugs. Like what?
Host 3
Animal drugs is like the last thing Miami needed. You know what I mean?
Host 6
BHP tranquilizers.
Host 3
Yeah, Like I have a great idea, guys.
Host 6
Let's dog's cocaine at the park is.
Host 3
What we should do for the rich.
Host 6
Oh my gosh. We talked about the angels trumpets. They planted these poisonous flowers in the dog park and nobody knows how it happened. And I actually broke the story. The same day I broke the story, they ran to the park and started ripping them up. But again, no procurement, no invoices, no legitimate process. They just. He does whatever the hell he wants over there. So angels, I don't know if you're familiar, Angels, trumpets. If you ingest them, they have like a hallucinogenic effect. So like there's children on field trips walking around. There's like, there's homeless people hanging out doing like, like eating angels trumpets for shits and giggles. And then you have dogs. It can kill dogs, but it's a dog park with poisonous plants.
Host 7
So you mean to tell me that they thought that that flower was pretty and they just decided to plant it without any knowledge of what it is?
Host 6
Nobody knows because they had these like weird meanings in a bunker underneath a Christopher Columbus statue behind Bayside. It's the weirdest, shadiest shit. And needless to say, this is like a 20 page complaint. And you're like, okay, this is short, but every page is a movie and there's A litany of other accusations.
Host 4
There was a unpermitted fence that had to come down because it couldn't meet the city's code. And then there were two other fences that were not permitted and had to be permitted after the fact. The gym equipment was probably not properly procured. And then there was a trench, and apparently it was to deliver power to one of the food trucks on site. There were no permits, no electrical engineering, drone, nothing like that that had been submitted to the city.
Host 6
So I want to make it clear about this dangerous, wannabe, tin pot, dictator, hypocrite, Joe Carollo, which is that when he was targeting businesses, specifically Ball and Chain, for which they won a $63.5 million judgment against him for this unconstitutional targeting and political retribution, part of what he was going after them for was allegedly unpermitted, was work and, oh, you can't just get electric from another location. But it turns out that may be exactly what the hell he was doing. So there's this allegation that there's this food truck who is really close with Carollo and his wife. They're big political contributors and supporters of his, and they have this food truck that they. Apparently they needed power for it, so they dug like a 200 foot trench across a grassy field in Bayfront park so that they could tap into. This is the claim in the lawsuit, they can tap into power from the park, like from a sign at the park. So effectively and allegedly stealing electricity from the public park.
Host 3
Can this be proved? That that was proved.
Host 6
This is the lawsuit. They'll have discovery. They'll go through this process. It's absolutely nuts. And of course, you heard some of the other allegations, Paul, that he was directing, like, an overpaying contracts to political allies, to companies with a relationship with him and his wife. And they were allegedly getting, like, kickbacks.
Host 3
The one that was really, like, stood out to me was that the $100,000 for a party called Havana Fridays. Right.
Host 6
Well, what he's been doing is he's been, in my opinion, misappropriating money.
Host 3
What's Havana Fridays?
Host 6
So this is. This event. Where's it at Kyoto? It's a domino park in Kyoto, across from Ball and Chain, but that's nowhere near Bayfront Park. So he's been. He's been sending money out of the park, right, to his own district for other events. It's not a slush fund that he could do whatever the hell he. He wants with it. For example, he spent $150,000 paying a TV station another political ally that gave him a show, by the way. Gave him a show. But he paid them $150,000 to air the New Year's Eve concert. But why would you pay a station to do that?
Host 3
Air that? Right.
Host 6
They would pay you, or you'd get it for free and you'd split ad revenue. He says they got ad revenue, but it was only 130 grand, which means that they're down 100 and they're down 20 grand. But more importantly, people have theorized that all he did was pay $150,000 to this TV station to run an infomercial for him because he's gonna run for mayor this year, by the way. That's not bullshit. He is running for mayor this year.
Host 3
And you're running against him. Right?
Host 6
You're a very good athlete. I don't even. I don't even. Little Billy Corbyn. I don't even live in the city.
Host 3
As you want Billy for mayor, just drop a comment.
Host 6
And here's the problem. By my count, Jose Suarez is the fourth or fifth former Joe Carrillo staffer who has defected, who has either sued him and. Or testified against him. So, like, the dominoes just keep falling. And to understand what it's like, this toxicity and the reason why people flip the way they do.
Host 8
Commissioner Corrella intimidates people. He threatens them, he bullies them. And that leaves many members of the board compliant. They don't dare to stand up to him. Same thing with the police.
Host 4
I don't think I've ever witnessed something being rejected that he wanted by the board. Overwhelmingly. That board, I believe, is a rubber stamp.
Host 6
He's a bully. And I attended one of those meetings. It's like a communist politburo. He just filibusters for three hours, and everybody sits around nodding. They'll. They'll. They'll bang the table and they'll tell him how. How smart and how handsome and how funny he is, and then they just vote on whatever the hell it is that he wants. It's.
Host 3
Why does so much. So much magnetic. Like, what. What's. Does he have charisma? Like, what is it?
Host 6
No, he's just a bully.
Host 3
Bully.
Host 6
That's all. And he threatens and intimidates people.
Host 3
That doesn't work on Miami people that much. Like, I feel like Miami people got that. They. They push back. Like, why don't they.
Host 6
People are scared because they are the government, because they. They've watched him crush people's hopes and dreams and businesses and livelihoods, and they've seen how alternately incompetent and corrupt this government is, and they just don't want the heat. They want to keep their heads down. Listen, we have a town full of, you know, complicit cowards. I mean, is really the bottom line, if you want to. If you want to call them out. But the truth is, is that I. I'm empathetic. They are scared. Scared because this is a guy that punches down and he's going to run against. That's what a bully does. They pick on people who have less power.
Host 3
Oh, no, I know. I'm a bully. Like, I know that. Don't worry. Explain to me what that is. I've made many people cry, but no, dude, like, someone needs to run against him. Okay, that's it.
Host 6
Well, there's going to be. There's going to be a Alex Diaz. La Portia, who just got let out of jail. They dropped. They dropped those corruption, bribery and money laundering charges against him. He. He's probably running for mayor. Manolo Reyes. I hope he's in better health. He's been very sick lately. He's planning on running for mayor. I'm not. I am. You know how they say, never say never? Never. I don't live in the city. I'm not even eligible to run, which isn't a coincidence. Yes, well, he shouldn't be either. In the interest of fairness. And I am nothing if not fair. Let's get Joe Corollo's response to this lawsuit, shall we? This is hogwash. They're lying through their teeth.
Host 4
This will get thrown out in a federal court because there's no whistleblower. This wasn't so low and dirty.
Host 6
It'd be laughable.
Host 4
I hate to inform Mr. Soares and.
Host 6
Mr. Canton, you ain't gonna get any money. This is Miami.
Host 4
So nothing surprises me any longer.
Host 3
What is he hiding inside on his teeth? Why does he refuse to move at the upper part of a part of his mouth?
Host 6
That's your takeaway? You're not. You don't want to talk about whatever the hell that is behind him.
Host 3
He just like fucks like this the whole time.
Host 6
But you want to talk about.
Host 3
No, I want to talk about that painting. Hold on.
Host 6
What is that? Yeah.
Host 3
Does it belong to him?
Host 6
I imagine. That monstrosity.
Host 3
What is it?
Host 6
It's a cock in the American flag, right?
Host 3
I think it's Cuba and the US Melt together.
Host 6
Oh, yeah. Look at that. Yeah. So the top is the American flag, the bottom half is the Cuban flag, and the middle is a giant Cock.
Host 3
I just sounded like a giant cock.
Host 6
Yeah, I don't. I don't know what the flag code says about this, but I'm pretty sure that's. That's a flagrant.
Host 3
That's got to be some amendment. Yeah, that's wrong. Like breaking some amendment.
Host 6
Jesus, look at that. Look at that two we're looking at right now.
Host 7
Yeah, you got the American flag, the Cuban flag and a rooster.
Host 3
Oh my.
Host 6
What I have is very small. Unbelievable.
Host 3
Wait, you need one of those. Dudes, that is amazing.
Host 6
I love. But the lady doth protest to my much me thinks. You hear. He's like, you know this is going to get thrown out of federal court. Joe Carollo always thinks he's the smartest lawyer in the room. The problem is he isn't a lawyer. And the only lawyers he has are being paid for by the taxpayers. It's remarkable.
Host 3
Joe Carollo. I love that song. I want to see my ringtone. That's really good.
Host 6
Cocaine's.
Host 7
Hey, Jeremy.
Host 6
Yes, Mike?
Host 7
Have you ever had a fireside conversation during a football Sunday during the winter?
Host 2
Sure. We don't have a lot of fireplaces down here, but I've had the premise of it.
Host 7
I wish I could, but it's South Florida. When it gets down to the 60s, we're like, we're bundled up, but certainly no fireplaces. Still too warm for that. But we do have our football Sundays. And one thing that always makes football Sundays good. And I know you've had plenty of experience in your life with this Miller Time.
Host 6
Oh yeah.
Host 7
Miller Lite makes the winter better. It makes football Sundays better. It makes even hanging out around you better.
Host 2
Thanks, Mike. That was kind.
Host 7
I appreciate that. You're my friend. When I have a Miller Light in my hand, pretty much everybody is my friend. Because we are like minded. Because we like beer that actually tastes like beer. Oh, and now, now the new year. It's a perfect time to have a Miller Time. Miller Light is brewed for taste. People out there, I want you to listen to me. And Jeremy, you too. Because you know it hits just different than other light beers. The original light beer since 1975 and still the very best one, Miller Lite. Great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.comstan to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer tastes like Miller Time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.
Host 2
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Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Episode: #BecauseMiami: Your Yacht Is On Fire
Release Date: January 24, 2025
The episode kicks off with the "Because Miami" segment, a recurring feature that delves into unique and often sensational events unfolding in South Florida. This segment sets the stage for the hosts to explore intriguing local happenings, blending sports, culture, and current events.
Incident Overview:
A dramatic yacht fire occurred on the Miami River, involving the renowned rapper and producer Metro Boomin. The vessel, a 95-foot yacht, was rented to cruise up the river to the Booby Trap strip club. The fire led to the premature closure of the club and attracted a large emergency response.
Key Details and Discussions:
Emergency Response:
More than 30 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to the incident. Host 3 describes the chaotic scene:
"The yacht eventually sank into the Miami River." [03:57]
Spectacle Amidst Tragedy:
Despite the severity of the fire, the atmosphere outside the strip club remained lively. Host 6 remarks on the party continuing:
"They were just making it rain in the street outfits." [03:50]
Visuals and Reactions:
The hosts vividly recount the scene, highlighting the dancers' outfits and the overall aesthetic of the event:
"The stripper clothes, it was the best." [05:01]
"Nobody got injured either from the fire or from, like, falling on those heels. Those heels are epic." [07:16]
Speculations on the Cause:
There is speculation about the origin of the fire, with possibilities including a discarded blunt or an electrical malfunction:
"Was it a blunt? Was it a blunt someone left on the boat or was it electrical?" [06:32]
Notable Quotes:
Host 6 on the incident's uniqueness:
"That was a Because Miami moment if ever there was one." [04:09]
Host 3 on the unpredictability of such events:
"Meanwhile, we have, like, all this tragedy happen on the other, you know, coast with fires and this, like, we just make fires look way too fun." [07:21]
Event Overview:
Florida experienced an extraordinary snowfall event, with areas like Panama City Beach and Pensacola receiving up to five inches of snow—a rare occurrence for the state.
Key Details and Discussions:
Impact on Daily Life:
Host 6 describes the severity:
"It's the first and incredible, like a blizzard on the interstate." [09:09]
Travelers faced hazardous road conditions, leading to overnight stays in hotels.
Climate Conversations:
The sudden snowfall sparked debates on climate change, with some hosts dismissing it as evidence against global warming:
"Record breaking snowfall coming off a very busy hurricane season with very powerful storms and very hot waters in the Gulf of America to record breaking snow in Florida. It seems alarming to me." [10:00]
Cultural and Social Reactions:
The hosts humorously discuss the local population's unpreparedness for snow, highlighting Miami's typically warm climate:
"Nobody in Florida is ready, like their wardrobe." [10:38]
Notable Quotes:
Host 6 on the implications of the snowfall:
"We're talking about these records were doubled, by the way." [10:30]
Host 3 on the rarity and visual impact:
"It's insane. It's like it looked like Miami in the 80s. There was so much white powder on the ground." [10:33]
Overview:
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing a widespread prosecutorial misconduct scandal within the Miami-Dade State Attorney's office. The hosts engage with criminal defense attorneys Michelle Borchu and Adam Goodman to shed light on various cases affected by this misconduct.
Key Discussions:
Case Studies and Impact:
Isaiah Desire and Alex Alexander:
After nearly six years in custody, their second-degree murder and drug charges were dismissed due to prosecutorial misconduct.
"After nearly six years of being behind bars, Isaiah Desire and Alex Alexander became free minutes after their charges were wiped out." [20:18]
Sabrina O'Neal and Taji Pearson:
Sabrina O'Neal was gunned down in 2010, leading to Taji Pearson's life sentence, which was later overturned due to withheld evidence.
"In 2010, 15-year-old Sabrina O'Neal was gunned down. Taji Pearson was found guilty. Pearson got life in prison. But today that sentence was thrown out." [22:42]
Corey Smith:
A leader of a violent drug gang sentenced to death in the 1990s but released decades later as the state ceased pursuing the death penalty.
"In 2010... and now this state will no longer pursue the death penalty." [23:04]
Systemic Issues and Cultural Problems:
The attorneys discuss how over three decades of leadership under Katherine Fernandez Rundle has fostered a culture of misconduct, with a lack of accountability and integrity within the office.
"When prosecutors are doing the wrong thing, whether it's to innocent people or guilty people, society kind of ceases to function properly." [21:49]
Barriers to Reform:
The entrenched power of the State Attorney, minimal compensation leading to high turnover, and a lack of new leadership contribute to ongoing issues.
"They are building a distrust in the community." [31:38]
Notable Quotes:
Host 6 on the power and lack of accountability of the State Attorney:
"You have the power to deprive people of life, liberty and property. You're more powerful than even the governor, arguably the president in some cases." [22:42]
Michelle Borchu on discovering prosecutorial misconduct:
"We were able to find an email from a prosecutor that basically spoke to Mr. Van Zanth... he was facing more jail time." [25:57]
Host 6 on the pervasiveness of corruption:
"It goes to show how pervasive it is when you have a bad apple in an office." [28:04]
Host 9 on the systemic nature of the problem:
"When you have people come in for jury duty and they see a case, they're gonna be distrustful of prosecutors." [31:38]
Case Overview:
The episode highlights a 24-page federal whistleblower lawsuit filed by Jose Suarez, a former executive director of the Bayfront Park Management Trust. Suarez alleges retaliation and corruption under the direction of Commissioner Joe Carollo.
Key Details and Discussions:
Allegations of Misuse of Funds:
Suarez claims he was pressured to resign after raising concerns about misused trust funds, including the purchase of a mobile veterinarian truck with trust money:
"Among the allegations, Suarez says the commissioner warned him to 'quote lawyer up' after they agreed to assist in an investigation over misused funds." [37:30]
Misappropriation of Resources:
The lawsuit alleges that significant funds were diverted for personal or unapproved uses, such as overpaying contracts to political allies and purchasing unnecessary equipment:
"He spent $150,000 paying a TV station another political ally that gave him a show, by the way." [47:51]
Public Impact and Corruption:
The hosts discuss how these actions undermine public trust and lead to wasted resources on unproductive or unethical projects:
"What is a vetmobile without a vet? It's just, I don't know. Driving an alleged, like money laundering operation." [43:10]
Resistance and Intimidation:
Commissioner Carollo is accused of bullying and intimidating staff, fostering a toxic work environment that stifles whistleblowing and perpetuates corruption:
"He's a bully. And he threatens and intimidates people." [49:45]
Notable Quotes:
Host 6 on the severity and absurdity of the allegations:
"Let's dog's cocaine at the park is... It's a bugging, a cash only, you know." [44:44]
Host 6 on Joe Carollo's leadership style:
"He's a bully. And he threatens and intimidates people." [49:45]
Host 3 on the public's perception and the need for accountability:
"I feel like Miami people got that. They push back. Like, why don't they." [50:13]
The episode wraps up by emphasizing the ongoing nature of these scandals and the need for systemic reform in Miami-Dade's legal and governmental institutions. The hosts express their determination to continue exposing and discussing these critical issues in future episodes.
Closing Remarks:
Commitment to Accountability:
The hosts underline the importance of holding powerful figures accountable to restore trust and integrity in public institutions.
"Because if law enforcement is violating constitutional rights, it's not okay. And people gotta walk." [21:49]
Upcoming Discussions:
Teasers for future episodes include deeper dives into local governance issues and further exposés on corruption and misconduct within Miami's political landscape.
As per the instructions, advertisements and non-content sections, including promotions for TUMS, T-Mobile, Venmo, Love Hurts, PEMCO, and TurboTax, were omitted from this summary to focus solely on substantive discussions and events.
Final Thoughts:
This episode of "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz" provides a compelling blend of sensational local news and serious discussions on systemic corruption within Miami's legal and political frameworks. Through vivid storytelling and expert insights from criminal defense attorneys, the hosts shed light on pressing issues affecting the community, underscoring the need for accountability and reform.