Testimony underway in corruption trial of former Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez

MIAMI – Testimony got underway Wednesday in the corruption trial of former Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez.

Martinez, arrested in 2022, is accused of accepting a hefty bribe from a local supermarket owner in exchange for crafting legislation that would have helped the business avoid several code violations.

A code enforcement officer took the stand discussing the issue at hand: large dumpsters.

“Technically, one container would have been allowed under this interpretation of the code,” the code enforcement officer testified.

In the end, the ordinance that Martinez proposed wasn’t passed. But prosecutors allege he took $15,000.

Defense attorneys later cross-examined the code enforcement officer before a lunch break.

If it wasn’t already clear the trial was taking place in Miami, the judge announced that jurors had another break to look forward to: He said proceedings would briefly stop at 3:05 p.m. for cafecito.


About the Author
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Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.

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