Miami City Commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla and attorney William Riley Jr. were arrested on Thursday on charges of bribery, money laundering, and official misconduct. Florida police allege that the pair received over $15,000 in campaign contributions for Díaz de la Portilla’s brother’s judicial campaign, which they illegally failed to report. Additionally, Díaz de la Portilla is accused of using two political committees he controlled to support his brother’s campaign and for personal expenses, totaling more than $3 million in reported donations.
Riley is further accused of laundering nearly $250,000 in illegal contributions, allegedly made in exchange for the approval of a Miami sports complex. Both men face charges of money laundering, unlawful compensation or reward for official behavior, bribery, and criminal conspiracy.
Díaz de la Portilla faces additional charges of official misconduct, campaign contribution in excess of legal limits, and failure to report a gift. Riley is charged with failure to disclose lobbyist expenses. If convicted, both individuals could face decades in prison.
Díaz de la Portilla, a Republican, has served as a city commissioner since 2020 and has previously held positions in the state House and Senate. His attorney, Michael Davis, stated that the commissioner is innocent of the charges and looks forward to vindication in the court of law.
Author: Ryan Scott
Just a guy