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Suspended Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez, who faces felony unlawful compensation charges for allegedly accepting money to sponsor legislation, will have his day in court April 17.
Judge Lody Jean set the trial date. Neither prosecutors nor Martinez’s lawyers sought delays, the Miami Herald reported.
Martinez pleaded not guilty to charges State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle brought, claiming he accepted $15,000 to ease regulations of cargo containers used for storage on commercial properties. Martinez contends the pay was for consulting work unconnected to public service.
Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended him Sept. 20 and appointed his replacement, lawyer Rob Gonzalez, last month.
– Jesse Scheckner, Florida Politics