Nov 14, 2007 3:59 pm US/Eastern
Miami City Attorney's Job May Be On The Line
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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Jorge Fernandez, Miami City Attorney
CBS
One day after
CBS4 revealed that Miami City attorney Jorge Fernandez was under criminal investigation for inappropriate use of city funds, some are saying his job may be on the line.
Wednesday, Fernandez confirmed that he is the target of a public corruption investigation through his lawyer Barry Waxman.
"Mr. Fernandez is aware of the State Attorney's investigation, and denies having committed any crime" wrote Waxman in a statement.
Fernandez allegedly came under investigation for what some are calling his lavish spending on lunches and dinners at the taxpayer's expense; include a single lunch tab of more $15-hundred at the Rusty Pelican.
CBS4 reporter
Gary Nelson contacted city Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, who was in London, by phone to ask him his thoughts on the investigation.
"Any time you're using public money, it has to be for a public purpose," said Sarnoff. "Anybody who fails to demonstrate a valid public purpose should pay a penalty and if that penalty turns out to be termination, so be it."
Fernandez also allegedly submitted thousands of dollars in lump sum meal expenses despite strict city policy that requires all expenses must have itemized receipts, the names of the persons present, and the purpose of the expense.
"Somebody didn't check, somebody didn't follow the rules, somebody didn't follow the process," said Miami Commissioner Tomas Regalado. "Somebody has to put a stop to this free for all that we have in the city of Miami."
City auditors did put an end to Fernandez's spending last year after he used up his entire yearly allowance of $10-thousand in September.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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