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Former Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez has been denied a new trial or acquittal following his November conviction on felony charges of improper compensation.
Martinez, 66, faces up to 20 years in prison. He’s expected to be sentenced on June 20.
Prosecutors said he accepted $15,000 to file and advance legislation benefiting a supermarket owner, though the measure was later withdrawn. Martinez’s lawyers argued the evidence was circumstantial and mischaracterized, but Judge Miguel de la O upheld the conviction.
Suspended from office in 2022, Martinez recently ran for county Sheriff but placed fifth in the 2024 Primary with 9.5% of the vote.
– Jesse Scheckner, Florida Politics