MIAMI – The star witness in the “ghost candidate” trial of former Florida Sen. Frank Artiles, R-Miami-Dade, took the stand again Tuesday.
While on the stand Friday, Alex Rodríguez admitted to being a sham candidate in 2020 for the Florida Legislature in exchange for $50,000. During his testimony, Rodríguez said all he had to do was run against then-Democratic incumbent, Florida Sen. Jose Javier Rodríguez, and Republican candidate Ileana García.
Prosecutors accused Artiles, 50, of committing felony campaign fraud while directing a ploy to confuse Florida District 27 voters who intended to choose the Democrat.
Defense attorneys cross-examined Alex Rodríguez on Monday and continued Tuesday.
Artiles’ attorney questioned Alex Rodríguez about a text message exchange in which he called Artiles an expletive.
“Here’s a guy who has given you short-term loans. He’s helped pay for your daughter’s school,” attorney Frank Quintero asked. “He has loaned you money to allow you to ‘stay in business’ with buying cars on short-term loans based on your word, your trust. Explain, look at the jury in the eye. Explain why you would call him an ‘A-hole’ when he knew that he never authorized those extra charges.”
Rodriguez replied, “Obviously, I was still stressed about this whole situation. You know, like I said, the only reason I ever did this is because I was promised $50,000 and while nobody forced me to do this, I was angry. Angry at myself, angry at him. Angry at mainly myself.”
Defense attorneys claim that the money given to Rodríguez was in the form of loans for business purposes and unrelated to the campaign.
Testimony was set to continue into Tuesday afternoon.