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Miami-Dade County Commissioner Joe Martinez turned himself in for booking Tuesday at a Miami corrections center on criminal charges of unlawful compensation.
The charges stem from a five-year investigation by State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, who says Martinez accepted $15,000 to sponsor legislation helping a shopping plaza owner near his district.
Fernandez Rundle cited numerous email, text, phone and bank records.
Martinez, who was working to again chair the Commission before a rumored run for Sheriff, called the case “politically motivated.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis could suspend Martinez, after which the Commission could appoint his replacement or call a special election.
– Jesse Scheckner, Florida Politics