Nov 16, 2007 6:30 pm US/Eastern
Miami City Attorney Under Investigation
CBS4 Has Learned The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office Is Investigating Restaurant Charges
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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Jorge Fernandez, Miami City Attorney
CBS
CBS4 has learned more about meals and other items bought by Miami's City Attorney and billed to the taxpayers.
Miami City attorney Jorge Fernandez is under investigation by public corruption investigators who are looking at his expense reports. Thousands of dollars of often large tabs submitted for reimbursement without detailed explanation- who he was with, the purpose of the expense, the official city involved.
One whopper of a bill was run up at the Rusty Pelican, a single lunch tab for more than $1,505.
CBS4's Gary Nelson found out that the occasion for the feast was a graduation party for the city attorney's son.
More than 40 people attended the celebratory luncheon, no more than four of them from the city attorney's office. The remainders were proud friend and relatives of the graduate.
If Fernandez lived large on the town at taxpayer's expense, documents obtained by
CBS4, show he also spent some serious money at the offices in the Miami Administration building.
There was a 55 inch hi-definition $4,000 plasma TV, a 42 inch plasma TV which add $2,000. The stainless steel refrigerator in the city attorney's lunch room goes for nearly $3,000. Between refrigerator and TV's and other vide gadgets, the city attorney dropped nearly $20,000.
That's not even counting the stainless steel silverware and 300 pieces of delicate china.
Most of us don't enjoy stainless steel flatware and china in our workplace, certainly not in my workplace. At CBS4 we have some vending machines. The company does give us some Styrofoam cups to drink, but if we want a plate we have to bring our own.
Prosecutors apparently are not looking at Fernandez's office spending, but sources tell CBS4's Gary Nelson his entertainment expense reports are a treasure trove for investigators.
For example; Last year on Mother's Day a tab for $179.
The attorney representing Fernandez did not return our calls seeking comment for this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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