Nov 13, 2007 4:36 pm US/Eastern
Miami City Attorney Faces Expense Account Probe
CBS4 Has Learned The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office Is Investigating Restaurant Charges
City Attorney Jorge Fernandez Says He Knows On No Investigation
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
CBS4 News has learned that an investigation is underway by the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office into expense reports filed by Miami City Attorney Jorge Fernandez and billed to city taxpayers. City employees have confirmed that subpoenas have been issued as part of a probe, but Fernandez told CBS4's Gary Nelson he is not aware of any investigation.
When questioned by Nelson Fernandez answered, "There is? Well I - How do you know? I didn't know that."
Fernandez said last Friday he was unaware that public corruption investigators are looking at his city expense reports.
But CBS4 News has confirmed the state attorney is probing Fernandez's spending at places like the Rusty Pelican restaurant. Documents obtained by CBS4 News reveal the city attorney last year charged a lunch tab at the Rusty pelican in the amount of $1539.29.
Investigators want to know what the meal was about, who was there, what taxpayers paid for.
The expense report filed with the city by Fernandez is not revealing. It includes only a lump sum receipt for the $1500 lunch, and no further explanation.
The Miami City Attorney routinely submitted batches of meal tabs for reimbursement, with only a cover letter saying they are expenses, in his words, "that " have determined are necessary in the performance of my duties."
Fernandez has performed unspecified duties h at La Casita in Coral Gables; a $184 lunch tab on one occasion, a $155 lunch on another.
At the Mambo Cafe Fernandez expensed a $400 meal; a note on the check says "Christmas party."
Lunch at Larios cost taxpayers $254, and at New York's Sparks Steakhouse, Fernandez ran up a $530 tab and asked taxpayers to pay.
All of those bills were submitted without detail, despite city policy that says expense reports must include
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itemized receipts
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names of the persons present
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the purpose of the expense.
Miami City manager Pete Hernandez confirmed an investigation is underway, telling Nelson, "The State Attorney is investigating a matter having to do with the City Attorney. I do not know the details."
CBS4 has learned that multiple subpoenas have been served at city hall. Assistant city attorney Maria Chiaro said, "I have already responded to a subpoena. I have been questioned. The State Attorney who questioned me told me not to discuss the nature of the questions."
CBS4 News has confirmed the nature of the questions has to do with the smorgasbord of restaurant charges billed to taxpayers by Fernandez.
Investigators have obtained billing records from the Rusty Pelican trying to determine if the city lawyer's lunches were lawful.
Fernandez declined a CBS4 News request for an interview, and has hired Miami criminal defense attorney Barry Wax, who in an e-mail to CBS4 said that his client "has no direct knowledge of an investigation and has not been contacted by the state attorney's office."
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