A top official in the Miami Police Department has written a scathing four-page memo accusing Chief Manuel Morales of corruption, retaliation and a slew of unethical and “illegal” activities.
This is not a déja vu. This is a different memo (in its entirety below).
Commander Brandon Lanier would not comment on the missive, which was sent to Ladra Friday anonymously, but his Dade County PBA attorney, Griska Mena, confirmed it was authentic and authored by him. She told Ladra he is a whistleblower and will be seeking protections under the law.
“The purpose of this statement is to report illegal, unethical, and corrupt activities that are taking place at the Miami Police Department Internal Affairs Section involving the Chief of Police, Manuel Morales,” Lanier opens in the email.
Read related: Miami Mayor Francis Suarez weighs in, agrees on firing Chief Art Acevedo
He writes that Morales immediately began to retaliate upon becoming interim chief when former Chief Art Acevedo — who wrote his own accusatory letter against commissioners — was fired.
“Morales has used his position to open investigations to target employees and influence the outcome of investigations,” wrote Lanier, who las malas lenguas say was also considered for the chief’s job post Acevedo.
The email to City Manager Art Noriega — who did not return calls for comment — was copied to the city attorney as well as the Miami-Dade State Attorney, the commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, all of whom have heard all this before. Lanier also sent a copy to the Broward State Attorney’s Office, which is investigating the claims made in a 8-page memo from former Chief Acevedo — the letter that eventually led to his termination.
This one will probably get their attention because it will piggyback on that one.
And, of course, Commissioner Joe Carollo is in this one, too.
Lanier says Morales has reinstated officers who were suspended and hired back two top-ranking officers, husband and wife Ronald and Nerly Papier — fired after the cover up of an accident in her police vehicle — on the wishes of Commissioner Carollo. Meanwhile, officers who are seen as having cooperated with Acevedo are being targeted, he said, referring to himself, Capt. Javier Ortiz, who has been suspended, and Det. Wanda Jean-Baptiste, an IA investigator, who is also being investigated now.
Read related: Miami Police staff fired by former chief are welcomed back with song and dance
Lanier, who as commander Internal Affairs led the investigations that led to those firings, has been retaliated against. He says he is being silenced and that his rights, and the rights of other officers, are being violated. Today, he is commander of the Overtown district, which is clearly a demotion. He knows Morales wants to fire him.
“I am requesting for there to be an investigation into all the allegations I am reporting involving Chief Manuel Morales. I ask that you have all Internal Affairs Investigators interviewed on how they were directed to handle their findings on all cases, especially on myself, Wanda Jean-Baptiste, and Captain Ortiz. With this memorandum, I am notifying the Miami-Dade and Broward State Attorney’s Office, our U.S. Attorney, as well as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to intervene in investigating this report.
“I respectfully request for the entities that have resources outside of the South Florida area investigate these allegations due to the turbulent Miami political leadership interfering or attempting to influence investigations,” Lanier wrote, because Acevedo’s note is all about how some commissioners, especially Carollo, run the police force.
Read related: Chief Art Acevedo fights back, reports misconduct by Miami city electeds
“I am in fear that since I am upholding the law as I swore in my oath as a law enforcement officer, I will be disciplined with either a demotion or termination of employment.”
Mena said that Lanier, who is under investigation, is covered by whistleblower protection and will be filing for official status shortly
But that didn’t save Acevedo.
Notice from Miami Police Commander Brandon Lanier says chief is corrupt by Political Cortadito on Scribd
Miami Police commander says Chief Manuel Morales is corrupt, unethical added by Ladra on
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‘ Joe Carollo playing the theme song from the “Godfather” movie’
Lol love the movie , loved the first 2 but not third .
Yes this is the Cuban Cosa Nostra enabled by DA Rundle .
No one likes this but if my call which is never going to happen there would not be Hispanic Politicians nor Police Chiefs and anyone married to a Hispanic is also ruled out , lol that is how strongly I feel about this as we are only hurting ourselves with these assorted flunkies and third world mentality.
Do not confuse yourselves , family with what runs Miami.
They are the worse thing that can happen to us and not just in Mexican Uvalde , Texas .
Never mind my opinion ask family / friends you have outside of any Hispanic stronghold , REGARDLESS of Hispanic tribe .
We flee low standards only to recreate it and again REGARDLESS of Hispanic tribe .
I know people get ticked off at me but be objective ask those you know who have left Miami .
Political / Police standards here are incredibly low like every Hispanic stronghold .
Alas, at the municipal level, the police chief serves at the city manager’s pleasure or Hialeah and Sweetwater, the mayor’s. Currently, the same arrangement applies to Dade County, with MDPD’s police director serving at the mayor’s pleasure. This is why it is imperative, for County voters on November 5, 2024, to elect a Sheriff that will fully serve consistent with Florida’s Constitution, Article VIII, Section 1, County Offices, Sheriff, Florida Statute, Chapter 30, Sheriffs, accountable only to Dade’s voters, and not in a diminished capacity as Mayor Cava and allies plan. But I have digressed.
The Miami Police Department has always been one step short of the greatness it can attain, consistently thwarted by political influence from the elected class and or sought by covetous police members willing to make their own “Faustian Deals.” Principally, the police chief must serve consistently with the Law’s intent, letter, and spirit. That is, State, County, Municipal Ordinances, and departmental directives. In other words, the chief serves as a rampart against any and all influencers, whether external or not, who may convey explicitly or implicitly a redirection during ongoing investigations. Easier said than done! Police chiefs are human beings, with decades invested in their careers, yearning to become the one. So it is not at all easy for a police chief to be the bulwark against political influences. They want to last at least three years, the average police chief’s tenure before they are fired, or his contract not renewed in Acevedo’s case.
I want to believe that Chief Morales is honorable. Still, more so, I hope the entities to which Commander B. Lanier routed his accusatory memorandum descend on the Miami Police Department and, if need be, the city government, like sedulous Jesuit Priests, committed to discerning the truth and holding the culprits accountable. Most Miami Police Department, sworn and civilian members, City residents, taxpayers, and voters deserve better.
Ignacio Jesús Vázquez, Retired
Dade County deputy sheriff
Serving from September 18, 1972, through June 30, 2003
The saga continues. As long as the Cuban “mafia” runs the commission this will not end. They need to be voted out.
Joe Carollo playing the theme song from the “Godfather” movie at City Hall after he and commish Alex did the character assassination of the not Cuban enough former Police Chief Acevedo was so typical. Interim Chief Manny helped plan and execute the firing of Acevedo. It was a hostile takeover. Cuban Mafia strikes again. Where are the Feds?
Anyone who’s dealt with Chief Morales can tell the guy reeks of arrogance. The fact that he was the guy fueling the fire against former Chief Acevedo to ensure his demise speaks volumes. Now, of course he has a vendetta against some other officers, just like his pals Crazy Joe and Boozy Alex do all the time. The “good old Cuban Boys Club” is alive and well…
A bad apple, spoils the barrel !
Manny Morales is a charming dude BUT anyone who is best buddies with Joe Carollo and Alex DLP is definitely committing crimes. How could Manny reinstate the criminals Ronny and Nerly Naper? Nerly was drunk or drugged WHILE driving a police vehicle…and crashing said vehicle. And Carollo and DLP bounce from committing one crime after another. Miami needs a Police Chief with ethics and morals. Miami needs a Police Chief who locks up crooks…
The parody scene they created is the perfect metaphor. Just needs the Mario Puzo line from the book “A fish rots from the head down.”
More CORRUPTION in #OURCOUNTY ? There is Nothing Better than “# 1” !
The moment I saw that new police chief at city hall, my intestines turned over. Without a question he is a corrupt no good scumbag!