A jury consisting of former Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez His colleagues found him guilty of political corruption and agreed with prosecutors that he abused elected office for personal gain.

Martinez, who won five terms on the County Commission during his nearly two-decade law enforcement career, was convicted of felonies including improper compensation and conspiracy to commit unlawful compensation.

The former is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. The second one requires a prison sentence of up to five years.

Accordingly WPLG Local 10Jurors announced their verdict shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday after just a few hours of deliberation. Witness testimony lasted seven days NBC 6 reported.

Miami-Dade Assistant State’s Attorney during the hearing Tim VanderGiesen It laid out a highly complex case involving three $5,000 payments that Martinez received in 2016 and accepted in 2017. Jorge NegrinHe owns Extra Supermarket in West Miami-Dade.

VanderGiesen claimed Martinez received the money in exchange for drafting an ordinance that would end the fines he levied on Negrin and his landlord. Sergio DelgadoIt was taken because there were too many storage containers in Delgado’s shopping plaza. Martinez’s Office placed the legislation on the County Commission’s agenda in August 2017 but quickly withdrew it from consideration. But Florida law provides that only intent must be proven, and the prosecution’s case provided sufficient evidence to support Martinez’s claim that his motivation for filing for the injunction was financial.

But this way Miami Herald VanderGiesen said the plan was further deepened. While Martinez was trying to get help to Negrin and Delgado, the prosecutor said Martinez was also trying to get a bridge loan for his then-boss, the owner of Centurion Securities. Ed HeflinThis way Heflin would be able to pay the former Commissioner.

VanderGiesen said Martinez, 66, also helped Heflin secure a $16 million contract with the county’s Water and Sewer Department, allowing the defendant to make up to $100,000. The Herald said Martinez was never paid and withdrew from the final vote on the contract after the State’s Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle The office launched an investigation into the matter.

arrest warrant Political Cortadito bookmarked days ago Martinez’s arrest It cited bank records and numerous emails, texts and phone calls between Martin, Negrin and Delgado in late August 2022. This included a nearly seven-minute phone call Martinez had with Delgado the day he scrapped the bill.

Before, during and after the trial, Martinez denied all wrongdoing and claimed the accusations were “politically motivated.” He and his lawyer Benedict KuehneHe argued that he was an ordinary citizen working as a consultant at a time when prosecutors said he acted unlawfully.

A former Miami-Dade police lieutenant and two-time County Commission Chairman, Martinez has served as Commissioner in two separate capacities since 2000. He ran unsuccessfully for Mayor and Florida’s 26th Congressional District from 2012 to 2016.

He was one of more than a dozen Republicans who filed to enter the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s race this year, finishing fifth in the Aug. 20 primary with 9.5% of the vote. ultimate winnerMiami-Dade Deputy Police Chief Rosie Cordero-Stutz.

Governor Ron DeSantis fires Martinez He left office in September 2022 and appointed lawyer Rob GonzálezTwo months later, a former House candidate replaced him in Miami-Dade Commission District 11. González won the election He took his seat in August and easily defeated his two rivals, receiving 57% of the vote.

Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Miguel M. de la O. He said Martinez’s sentencing will occur after December 20.

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