Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 23-184 (Executive Order of Suspension), suspending Alejandro Diaz de la Portilla from his position as City of Miami Commissioner, District 1.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced the arrest of Miami City Commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla, a former Republican Majority Leader in the Florida Senate, on charges including money laundering, bribery, and criminal conspiracy.
“The corruption that Alex Díaz de la Portilla is accused of is truly staggering, and shatters the trust voters have in elected officials,” Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said. “There is no place for that kind of behavior in our democracy. We challenge our Republican counterparts to join us in a forceful condemnation of government corruption, regardless of political party.”
The Republican Governor and presidential candidate agreed by taking forceful action with the suspension.
On September 14, 2023, Alejandro Diaz de la Portilla was arrested on one count of money laundering, a first-degree felony under section 896.101, Florida Statutes; three counts of Unlawful Compensation or Reward for Official Behavior, a second-degree felony under section 838.016, Florida Statutes; one count of Bribery / Misuse of Public Office, a second-degree felony under section 838.015, Florida Statutes; one count of criminal conspiracy, a third-degree felony under section 777.04, Florida Statutes; four counts of Official Misconduct, a third-degree felony under section 838.022, Florida Statutes; one count of Campaign Contribution in Excess of Legal Limits for Political Committees, a third-degree felony under section 106.08(1)(a)(3), Florida Statutes; and two counts of Failure to Report a Gift, a second-degree misdemeanor under Miami-Dade County Code Sec. 2-11.1(e) and section 125.69, Florida Statutes.
Here is the full executive order from Governor DeSantis:
DiazdelaPortilla_DeSantis_suspensionEO
“Our political leaders have a responsibility to serve the public with integrity — something that Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla has failed to do,” FDP Chair Fried added. “In light of the severity of these charges, the Florida Democratic Party calls for Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla’s immediate resignation.”
