The Broward State Attorney's Office has dismissed corruption charges, including bribery and money laundering, against Alex Díaz de la Portilla, a former Miami commissioner, and his co-defendant, William Riley Jr. Prosecutors concluded that the evidence was insufficient to build a strong case in court. Díaz de la Portilla, who was arrested in September 2023, originally faced 14 charges, including money laundering, bribery, and campaign finance violations. Riley was accused of acting as an intermediary for a company that allegedly provided $245,000 in exchange for the former commissioner's support of a downtown Miami park sports project. Both men pleaded not guilty from the beginning of the proceedings.
Insufficient Evidence Leads to Case Dismissal
A judicial document filed by the prosecution highlighted inconsistencies in testimonies and significant weaknesses in the key elements of the charges. This lack of evidence prompted Broward State Attorney Harold Pryor to determine that there was no reasonable likelihood of securing a conviction. Following Díaz de la Portilla's arrest, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order immediately suspending him from his duties as the Miami District 1 commissioner. The order also barred him from performing official functions, receiving payments, and enjoying benefits associated with his public position while the investigation was ongoing.
Judicial Proceedings Transferred to Avoid Conflicts
The case, initially based in Miami-Dade County, was moved to Broward to prevent conflicts of interest. Although the allegations raised concerns, the available evidence failed to conclusively support the charges. Born in Little Havana to Cuban exiles, Díaz de la Portilla has a long political history, having served as a Florida senator until 2010 and re-entering the public sphere in 2019 when elected as a Miami commissioner.
The dismissal of charges allows Díaz de la Portilla and Riley to move forward from accusations that had stalled their careers. This outcome effectively closes a legal chapter that initially hinted at potential misuse of their public offices.