Miami City Manager Art Noriega is under scrutiny after it was revealed that the city had spent $440,000 on furniture from a company owned by his in-laws, where his wife was the salesperson involved and the company received $400k since Noriega became city manager. The controversy stems from the procurement of furniture for the refurbishment of his office among others, with allegations of financial mismanagement. Noriega had promised a full accounting of the expenditure, with deadlines set for January 25, March 14, and finally March 18, but has failed to meet these deadlines. Commissioner Miguel Gabela has called for Noriega's resignation over the matter. The long-awaited report, when released, showed discrepancies; it accounted for only $228,234 of the expenditure, with a single chair being billed at $7,528. Further investigations revealed that the report issued was incomplete, missing crucial information and providing inaccurate accounting of the business dealings, and the report's numbers do not match city records from last December.
The report on how Miami City Manager Art Noriega funneled thousands of public dollars to his wife’s furniture company was incomplete. “Report issued was missing important information and data, providing inaccurate accounting of business dealings, city staff confirmed to WLRN.” https://t.co/sdJRNMY1ui https://t.co/AqzbxrvUN5
Miami City Manager releases incomplete report on furniture contracts controversy (via @JoshCeb and @TooMuchMe) https://t.co/4z2ZAUjY5l
Miami City Manager Art Noriega finally released the report on $440,000 City of Miami spent so his wife’s furniture company could furnish his office and other offices but only $228,234 are accounted for. A single chair was billed for $7,528. https://t.co/o93YoAybZO
#BREAKING: Miami City Manager @Artnoriega5’s long promised report on the scandal involving millions in taxpayer money and his wife's furniture company finally released — and his numbers DO NOT MATCH records we got from the city last December #BecauseMiami https://t.co/tHcfadZYth
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
Miami City Manager @Artnoriega5 promised a “full accounting” on the scandal involving taxpayer money and his wife’s furniture company by January 25th. Then March 14th. Now March 18th. And Commissioner Miguel Gabela is calling for resignation. #BecauseMiami https://t.co/hvhgiwFWjt
Miami commissioner asked for resignation of City Manager Art Noriega over furniture the city bought from a company owned by his in-laws. It received $400k since Noriega became city manager and his wife was salesperson involved in refurbishing his office. https://t.co/nHvYn0x4cV