But at the same time, another officer surfaced who seemed to have done what Perez-Borroto was accused of doing. That officer, William Clayton, was listed as a witness -- with no apparent role -- in one of the cases in which Perez-Borroto was alleged to have had no role. Questions and answers Clayton was questioned about his role in that case at the Civil Service hearing. Clayton said he was listed by mistake. Clayton was asked if he went to court and earned money for the case. Clayton: "Not to my knowledge." But The Herald found that he did. On Oct. 28, 1993, Clayton went to court and put in forthree hours of overtime worth nearly $100 for the case, firearm and grand theft charges against a 17-year-old juvenile. (Clayton did not respond to a letter and a request The Herald faxed to Miami Police public information seeking his comment.) The Civil Service Board voted 5-0 that Perez-Borroto lied and should be fired. Perez-Borroto is appealing. He said he went public because he wants his 56-year-old father, an immigrant who speaks little English, to know the truth. "You know how hard it is to explain this?" he said. "You know how hard it is to get anyone to believe me?"

THE HEARING: WILFREDO PEREZ-BORROTO FIGHTS FOR HIS JOB WHEN CITY OF MIAMI POLICE DECIDED TO FIRE OFFICER WILFREDO PEREZ-BORROTO FOR A COLLARS FOR DOLLARS ALLEGATION, HE APPEALED TO A POLICE REVIEW BOARD AND WON. THE CITY TURNED TO MIAMI'S CIVIL SERVICE BOARD IN THE SUMMER OF 1996. PEREZ-BORROTO LOST AND WAS FIRED. HE IS NOW APPEALING. B. CLAYTON OR W. CLAYTON? Perez-Borroto's attorney, Douglas L. Williams, left, grills Miami Police Officer William Clayton at the civil service hearing. Perez-Borroto was accused of putting his name on the back of six arrest forms in cases in which he had no direct involvement. Ironically, in one of those cases, Clayton was also listed as a witness, even though he, too, had no apparent role in the case. Clayton said his name was mistakenly written down as "B. Clayton" by someone else. "My name is W. Clayton, I never use B. Clayton, " Clayton said. He said that he did not go to court on the case. The Herald found that he did and got paid overtime. Show me the money Williams also cross-examined Miami Police Internal Affairs Detective Jesse Kelly, who did the investigation of Perez-Borroto. After a 22-month investigation, Kelly was unable to show that Perez-Borroto stole any court overtime money. Williams: "Sgt. Kelly, you did not, in point of fact, determine that there was ever a time when Officer Perez-Borroto appeared with regard to any of these six cases, testified and was paid, did you?" Kelly: "I can't answer that with a yes or no. . . . I have information, but I was never able to get a statement from any of the [assistant] state attorneys." Civil Service Board chairman: "So the answer is you don't know." Kelly: "That's correct."

ODYSSEY OF A WHISTLE-BLOWER SEPT. 28, 1993 -- MIAMI POLICE SGT. JOHN CAMPBELL SAYS HE GETS A TIP THAT OFFICER WILFREDO PEREZ-BORROTO IS SIGNING HIS NAME TO ARREST FORMS SO HE CAN GO TO COURT AND STEAL OVERTIME. Oct. 6, 1993 -- Sgt. Campbell refers a complaint to Internal Affairs. Oct. 14, 1993 -- Perez-Borroto is relieved of duty with pay and sent home. Nov. 18, 1993 -- Internal Affairs refers case to Dade State Attorney's Office for criminal prosecution. January 1994 -- Perez-Borroto is allowed to return to the police department on restricted administrative duty pending the state probe. Dec. 24, 1994 -- Perez-Borroto is restored to full duty. July 5, 1995 -- Perez-Borroto is relieved again. July 12, 1995 -- Sgt. Israel Gonzalez recommends that Perez-Borroto be fired. Oct. 1, 1995 -- The Police Departmental Disciplinary Review Board recommends by a 3-2 vote that Perez-Borroto be reinstated. Dec. 17, 1996 -- State Attorney's Office closes case against Perez-Borroto without charges. March 16, 1996 -- Police Chief Donald Warshaw fires Perez-Borroto. Perez-Borroto appeals. July 30, 1996 -- The City of Miami Civil Service Board hears Perez-Borroto's case, votes 5-0 that he should be fired. Aug. 28, 1996 -- Perez-Borroto contacts The Miami Herald. Jan. 17, 1997 -- City Manager signs document officially terminating Perez-Borroto.