Miami

Suspended Miami-Dade commissioner Joe Martinez, facing criminal case, is running for sheriff


MIAMI – After appearing in court Tuesday facing felony charges, suspended Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez made it official Tuesday: He wants to be the county’s top law enforcer.

Martinez, facing felony corruption charges, is joining a crowded field of candidates vying to become Miami-Dade County’s first sheriff since the 1960s.

The 66-year-old Republican denies any allegations of wrongdoing in the 2022 criminal case, which centers around allegations that he accepted payments from a local supermarket owner while serving on the commission.

Martinez, a former Miami-Dade police lieutenant, claimed following his arrest that the case against him was politically-motivated because he was seen as a top contender for sheriff.

Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Martinez from office three weeks after his arrest.

He spoke to local media outlets outside of a Miami-Dade courtroom Tuesday.

“After all this, I decided the community deserves to have a law enforcement person who not only has an exemplary record as a police officer, but who also has command of government,” Martinez said.

A trial date in Martinez’s corruption case has been scheduled for June 24. Primary elections are scheduled for Aug. 20, with the general election scheduled for Nov. 5.

Copyright 2024 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.



Source link