miami – A former campaign opponent’s claims made on a local podcast in November that the then-Miami City Commissioner offered large sums of money in exchange for support explain why she is now facing a criminal investigation. It may be revealed.
News of the bribery investigation against former 2nd District Commissioner Sabina Covo broke over the weekend and was published on the blog Political Cortadito.
The case was made public after Gov. Ron DeSantis asked Broward State Attorney Harold Pryor on behalf of Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, who said there was a potential conflict of interest in the case. After assigning the case.
The governor's Feb. 1 executive order designating this case does not provide specific details about why prosecutors are investigating “allegations of compensation and bribery by candidates for services and support.” , Covo said he was unaware of the nature of the investigation and has not been contacted by any agency.
However, comments from former commissioner candidate James Torres On the #BecauseMiami podcast with filmmaker Billy Corben. The November runoff elections may provide some clues.
Covo, who ran against Damian Pardo in the runoff and ultimately lost, claimed on a podcast that he offered Torres large sums of money through a contract with the special district in exchange for his endorsement.
“What do you need? Can I offer you a position as a contractor making more than $120,000 at Omni CRA?” Torres said she was asked during a private meeting.
Kovo was appointed chairman of OmniCRA (short for Omni Community Redevelopment Agency) after the previous chairman, Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, was arrested and suspended in his own bribery investigation. He was appointed as chairman.
Like Covo, Díaz de la Portilla will lose his seat in the run-off.
“I was taken aback[by the offer]. I was like, 'Is this okay?' Like, I can't sit through this… It was just weird,” Torres said on the podcast.
If true, it may be illegal, which is why there may be an ongoing investigation.
Covo said Monday that he has not been criminally charged but has since hired an attorney.
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