Sources: Joe Martinez will turn himself in on Tuesday after 5-year investigation

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Sources: Joe Martinez will turn himself in on Tuesday after 5-year investigation
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Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez — who everyone knows wants to run for county sheriff in 2024 — is said to be turning himself in to authorities Tuesday after a five-year public corruption investigation.

Several sources who confirmed this to Ladra did not know who Martinez would surrender to, although the logical answer is the State Attorney’s Office, which reportedly confirmed an investigation relating to the commissioner to Miami New Times in 2019.

SAO Spokesman Ed Griffith could not be reached over the weekend.

Likewise, the sources did not know the specific charge Martinez could be facing, but las malas lenguas say it involves “a direct payment” made, not a contribution to his campaign, in exchange for a zoning vote. Two of them said he would have turned himself in earlier, but he was recovering from back surgery.

Ladra thinks Martinez actually didn’t want news of his arrest or charges to get out before the Aug. 23 election, in which he supported several candidates, including newly-elected Commissioner Anthony Rodriguez and District 6 commission candidate Kevin Marino Cabrera. Both got funding from Joe’s political action committee, Let’s Move Forward. Cabrera got $10,000 but Rodriguez got $90K, and one has to wonder why the big gap. Or if any of it was a pass-through donation from someone else.

The campaign finance report also shows that Martinez paid attorney Ben Kuehne almost $20,000 last year. Kuehne is mostly a criminal defense attorney.

Martinez, who served as a county cop for 17 years, was considered a frontrunner for the new Miami-Dade Sheriff’s position on the ballot in 2024. He can probably forget that now. Martinez can also pretty much forget about being named the next chairman, which is mostly why he was building alliances with Rodriguez and Cabrera.

His political career began when he was first elected in 2000 to represent the residents of District 11, which encompasses much of West Dade’s unincorporated areas, including Country Walk, Hammocks, Kendale Lakes, Bent Tree, and Lakes of the Meadows. Martinez was elected chair by his colleagues twice — in 2005 and again in 2011.

He later developed a cologne called The Chairman.

Read related: Joe Martinez launches Congressional campaign, cologne

Martinez left the seat in 2012 to run for mayor against Carlos Gimenez (who won and is now a congressman) and then ran in the Republican congressional primary for District 26 in 2013, and lost again. But he went back to his roots and ran for commission again in 2016. Martinez won when then incumbent Commissioner Juan Zapata withdrew from the race. In 2020, he was re-elected with 54% of the vote against two challengers.

Commissioner Martinez has served as chair and vice chair of the Budget, Planning, and Sustainability Committee. He has also been appointed as chair of the Public Safety Committee and has served as a member of other committees, including Government Operations, Housing and Community Development, Airport and Tourism and Recreation, Cultural Affairs, and the Unincorporated Municipal Services Area Committee.

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Hired as a police officer in 1984, Martinez worked his way up through the ranks, serving as a detective with the General Investigations Unit from 1988 to 1992, rising to the rank of lieutenant. He received more than 70 awards and commendations; including two prestigious Gold Medals of Valor, the Silver Medal of Valor, the Exceptional Service Award, and the Lifesaving Award. The department also honored him with the Officer of the Year Award in 1992 and he was twice recognized as “Officer of the Year” by the Hispanic Police Officers Association.

Additionally, the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners honored Martinez by proclaiming July 27, 1993, “Detective Jose Martinez Day” for his bravery during an incident where he put himself in the line of fire to shield a fellow police officer during a narcotics sting operation.

Read related: Joe Martinez gets Miami-Dade’s 8th COVID19 testing site at Youth Fair

Martinez did not respond to calls and text messages from Ladra — even to deny the rumor that he would turn himself in on Tuesday.

It was unknown Saturday if Martinez would resign or wait until he is removed by the governor. If he resigns, the commission can appoint someone. They do not have to call for a special election because when voters decided that they no longer like appointments, ala Danielle Cohen Higgins in District 8, they voted for special elections when someone resigns to run for office. Not if someone resigns for another reason, like an investigation into an allegation of bribery.

Las malas lenguas say that Martinez is talking to Tallahassee, trying to see if he can get the governor to “suspend” him, which sounds better and allows him the opportunity to return if he is cleared of any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, he reportedly wants his former chief of staff, Roni Oves — who is in the photograph above with Martinez and Rodriguez — to hold his seat.

Nobody has been removed from office at County Hall since Miriam Alonso, who was accused of diverting campaign money to her chief of staff. At the city of Miami, former Commissioner Michelle Spence Jones was removed after she diverted money to a foundation.

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44 Responses to "Sources: Joe Martinez will turn himself in on Tuesday after 5-year investigation"

  19. It is amazing how a person with so many commendations and awards could turn to crime (allegedly). How can a person who has risked his life to save another succomb to immoral temptations and become an (alledged) criminal himself? These charges don’t come up if there is no fire in the pit! Just another example of how corrupt government can become.

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  22. Comish Joe Martinez will clear this matter up. Joe has been transparent in all that he does. Respected by residents and fellow colleagues with a proven record for fighting for the good of residents in his district 11. Don’t go Joe!

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  23. In a county where House Representative Carlos Gimenez, Hialeah Mayor Esteban Bovo and Xavier Suarez participated in absentee ballot fraud; where our State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle places two lap dogs: Jose Arrojo at Commission of Ethics and Felix. Jimenez at the Inspector General’s Office to ensure only her political enemies get charged with crimes, anything is expected. Joe Martínez is ten times more honest than all of the those public servants mentioned here. Ben Kuhn will get to the bottom of this fishing expedition.

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  24. Joe Martinez cares for the Dade community and proves it year after year. He stood up for Calusa more than once. Im proud that he’s our county commissioner. I hope DeSantis is able to suspend until his name is cleared. We pray for you Mr. Martinez.

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  25. Innocent until proven guilty. Anything less would fly in the face of our constitution. But, of course, he must be removed by the governor if he is charged, subject to reinstatement if and when he is ultimately acquitted.

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  28. Of all elected officials Joe Martinez is who I have the utmost respect for. Ever since I met him I realized he is always thinking about the community. I have participated in some of his outreach activities. It seems that now a days Name Calling and Accusations are part of the political game and we, the voters, continue to pay the price. We NEED more Politicians like Joe Martinez. Don’t believe everything you read.

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  29. Too bad, Martinez actually fights for his constituents and the rest of county residents. Watching current commission meetings leaves much to be desired from most of the “newbies.” I hope the charges are more than the man taking a few pens from the office. Much worse has been ignored or swept under the carpet when dealing with other commissioners.

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  31. I have information about elected officials and my attempt to expose Twu local 291and my involvement as vice-president of transportation, local 291. I been trying to expose the continue malfeasance . Please afford me an opportunity c
    to tell my story. It’s going to expose current elected officials, including the current Mayor of Dade county
    I can support my position with material evidence that I have collected over the past 29 years; during my employment with transit.

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  32. His partners Sosa and Diaz should be next. They should also be investigated. For over the last 20 years, all three have been purposely and secretly delaying transit expansion through out the county (along with the former Mayor). All three are known to have a hard stance not supporting transit but yet are always appointed on the transportation committee and MPO boards. They have created so much legislation to make it harder for transit projects to move forward, If you don’t believe me then check their records for yourself. They are quick to be in favor of adding more lanes and highways but turned down or scrutinize every transit project that the community supports. Every time a transit project comes up, Sosa pulls the defer , delay and comeback with a study trick. The turnpike, Sr.836, Sr 826, Krome Ave and Sr.874 have all been expanded and we are still stuck in traffic. Our West-Dade County deserves better.

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  33. What about Keon Hardemon? That dude sold his votes when he was a commish in Miami. Everyone knew to “hire” his Aunt Barbara, an unlicensed lobbyist, and his vote was a 100% sure thing. He needs to be indicted.

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  34. Joe Martinez is an elected official that cares about the entire Dade county population not just his district, but unfortunately in Miami Dade when you practiced government for all the system always look to damaged you. Those behind this investigation will eventually paid for this. I thank Joe Martinez for being a Commissioner to everyone in Miami Dade County.

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  35. One doesn’t last 30 years as the Dade SA by whacking made members of the family. Joe must have been a threat to somebody as chair or sheriff to warrant a hit. At least he wasn’t blindsided and they gave him years to put his affairs in order. But don’t count Joe out, the SA’s conviction rate is inversely proportional to the size of her arresting headline.

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  37. Commissioner Joe Martinez is one of the best elected official that we Miami-Dade has ever had. He fights for removing the corruption out of Miami-Dade County and this is what happens to an innocent person tries to do just that. However though he is innocent, he isn’t afraid to fight the fraudulent charges that are being placed against him. Furthermore he’s well supported by the community in which he serves to the fullest extent of the law. And for those who are wrongly accusing him will pay.

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  38. It took them 5 years to find something. Sounds legit, LOL. More like the Dems want him out so he won’t be able to run for Sherriff.

    Joe is not a stupid man, I highly doubt after all his time he suddenly accepted a direct payment bribe. Smells like a set up to me.

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  40. Congratulations Ladra for this real breaking news!
    Obviously, innocent till proven guilty, but some of my compatriots lose control of their fund management skills.
    Unfortunately, many of those compatriots continue to listen to these repetitive elected officials, individuals that make it in life thanks to “public service”, a.k.a. La botella

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  42. Joe Martinez always loved ruining Miami-Dade County. Martinez would help billboard companies install more billboards. Billboards are just visual pollution. Rumors are Martinez took bribes to help billboard companies.

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  43. Michelle Spence Jones was removed by the Governor because she took money from developer Jorge Perez to get property at Mercy Hospital rezoned for three ugly high rises. Spence Jones should have gone to prison but at the last moment a government witness Barbara Carey Schuler flipped and softened her testimony. Carey Schuler was often accused of corruption. Spence Jones often used Barbara Hardemon as her conduit to take money from developers.

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  44. NO Body Had Investigated the “PINAPPLE ” ( La PÑA) of BCC CORRUPTION in #OURCOUNTY and I Wonder why NOT ? Public Records requested by me Shows The Corruption from CAO , Mayor , Commissioners and the Inability Or Protection from The COE and IGO to The Transparency of This Government . We Need a SHERIFF , Not a Mamas Boy as in The Past >

    Reply

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