In a series of developments that have cast a shadow over Miami's municipal government, City Manager Art Noriega has been at the center of controversy. Accusations have been levied against Noriega for exploiting his public position for personal gain, with his salary and benefits totaling over $400k, starkly contrasting with Miami's median household income of $47k. Further scrutiny arose from Noriega's dealings involving taxpayer money spent at his wife's furniture company, culminating in a report that was promised to provide a full accounting of these transactions. Despite deadlines set for January 25th and March 14th, the report's release was delayed, and when it finally emerged, it was criticized for containing discrepancies and incomplete information. The report, which detailed expenditures such as $7,500 for a chair, was later walked back by Noriega, who acknowledged anomalies and misinformation. Amidst calls for accountability, the city manager has since retracted his initial data release, canceled scheduled interviews with the press, and has yet to provide a timeline for the release of corrected information or to answer further questions.
Florida city commissioner allegedly spent $100K of 96-year-old woman’s money on facelift, Miami hotel room https://t.co/lbg92E43y2 https://t.co/VCn2dcmYG4
Miami city manager walks back data on furniture spending. Now he won’t answer questions https://t.co/br1yYtdx3h
Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill is accused of stealing $100K from elderly victim to fund spending spree on a new home, a facelift and a trip to Miami in years-long extortion plot https://t.co/AKKHVTMyRz https://t.co/euEEnzoWkx
Update: The city manager had set an interview with a Herald reporter last week to ask questions about the report. The city has since canceled that meeting and gave no timeline for new data or interview, only saying it would be shared “in an expeditious manner” once available https://t.co/RYlZAzk25g
#BREAKING: Miami City Manager Art Noriega admits report he released yesterday about his conflict of interest scandal, which took him 9 weeks to prepare, is incomplete and filled with misinformation and lies after we called him out on it #BecauseMiami https://t.co/rd5pXEKLc6 https://t.co/na91A4pAbm
#Florida judge says commissioner spent 96-year-old’s money to pay for a facelift and dental surgery, purchase expensive perfume and clothing & book a hotel in Miami https://t.co/aUthZLmB79 via @Desi_Stennett
NEW: Miami city manager promised a “full reporting and accounting” of business dealings between the city and his wife's family company. The much anticipated report, released yesterday, was incomplete and inaccurate. The city acknowledges this to us. https://t.co/mOhx5d19a5
Miami city manager walks back data released Monday, noting ‘anomalies’ in search https://t.co/oSpo76ShPK
This looks bad. Like ugly bad. via @Desi_Stennett "Court documents allege Hill used the money to pay for a facelift and dental surgery ... expensive perfume and clothing ...a hotel in Miami ... numerous intravenous vitamin infusions at Vitalounge." https://t.co/ZafCzbh25A
UPDATE: Miami city manager walks back data released Monday, noting ‘anomalies’ in search https://t.co/BP135YqOeo w/ @joeflech https://t.co/PsD6tkGU54
Six #Florida business owners accused of ripping off the federal Paycheck Protection Program, stealing nearly $3 million & spent it gambling in a casino, buying luxury cars, traveling and other personal expenses. https://t.co/mMQPRqPD4m via @Olmeda4Real
NEW:Miami city manager Art Noriega finally released a report and data Monday. But the numbers provided don't match @WLRN's reporting. Here's what his numbers show: https://t.co/ESerieOhgM
$7,500 for a chair? Miami city manager details spending with wife’s furniture company https://t.co/FBHV5VYO89
Miami City Manager Art Noriega promised a “full reporting and accounting” on the scandal involving millions in taxpayer money spent at his wife’s furniture company before January 25th. Nada. Then March 14th. Still nada. But he's agreed to give me an interview. #BecauseMiami https://t.co/20PQcQqlj2
The City of Miami is a corrupt racketeering organization masquerading as municipal government. Constituents are deprived of basic services while city manager, city attorney, mayor, many commissioners and department heads prey on taxpayers to line their own pockets. #BecauseMiami https://t.co/OgY1ZgaX2B
Miami is the grift that keeps on grifting. City manager Art Noriega, who doesn't live in the city, is its highest paid employee with over $400k in salary & benefits (Miami median household income: $47k) — but he STILL exploits his public position for private profit. #BecauseMiami https://t.co/7Ntk97eDvB