SURFSIDE, Fla. – Local 10 News has learned that Miami-Dade prosecutors are set to drop charges against Surfside activist Joshua Epstein — and that’s not the only significant development in the small Miami-Dade island town that’s seen a significant amount of political drama and intrigue.
Epstein, 18, the son of former Commissioner Eliana Salzhauer, who’s still active in Surfside politics, was accused of battering then-Vice Mayor Jeff Rose after a Feb. 28 candidate forum. Rose, along with his close political ally, then-Mayor Shlomo Danzinger, subsequently lost their seats in the March election.
Epstein was accused of pushing Rose, but there was no video of the alleged battery.
Law enforcement sources tell Local 10 News that there was conflicting testimony from witnesses and that the state informed the police department about its decision to drop charges against Epstein on Thursday.
Salzhauer told Local 10 News Thursday that she had not been made aware of the state’s decision, but she was emotional, saying she hopes justice will be served.
Epstein, who is out of state, will be in court for a hearing Monday, she said. Salzhauer had called his arrest politically-motivated and “third world thuggery.”
Now, the man who publicly defended the decision to cuff Epstein is stepping aside.
Sources tell Local 10 News that Surfside police Chief Antonio Marciante’s last day is Friday.
It came after now-Mayor Charles Burkett alluded to his possible departure at a commission meeting earlier in the week.
“I think you can expect to see some pretty significant changes,” Burkett said before the meeting, during which the town’s attorneys resigned.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office isn’t officially commenting on the Epstein case. Sources said the state’s decision will become official at Monday’s court hearing.