Former Miami-Dade Commission candidate facing campaign finance charges

MIAMI – A former Miami-Dade County Commission candidate has been arrested.

The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office announced the arrest of 45-year-old Sophia Lacayo on campaign finance charges.

Lacayo was booked into jail early Tuesday evening on 21 charges of campaign finance violations.

The Miami Herald is reporting the arrest is related to Lacayo’s failed bid for a seat on the Miami-Dade County Commission last year, when she reported spending $1 million of her own money during her campaign.

She is accused of filing false campaign reports and failing to report campaign expenditures.

Prior to running for county commission, Lacayo served as a Sweetwater commissioner, starting back in 2019, but she eventually resigned one year later after pleading guilty to a perjury charge for supposedly lying about where she lived.

A press conference related to the latest case is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at the State Attorney’s Office in Miami.

Lucayo’s bond has been set at more than $14,000. She is expected to appear before a judge on Wednesday.