A top Miami-Dade prosecutor says she's disappointed by the recent arrest of luxury car dealer Ken Gorin, prez and CEO of The Collection. Just six weeks earlier, she had given Gorin a major break on a prior drug arrest, dropping the charges.

Chief assistant state attorney Kathleen Hoague says Gorin made a seemingly reasonable request for a plea deal in the June '08 case -- he feared the charges would stand in the way of a business loan.

''Mr. Gorin has a bank loan application pending,'' his attorney, David Rothman, wrote in an April 2 letter to Hoague. ``He owns a car dealership and employs over 100 people. Like so many businesses, his dealership is suffering in these tough times and needs an influx of money to keep going. The bank will not loan money with a felony case pending. Additionally, competition is stiff in the automobile business and a criminal record could prove to be a permanent albatross.''

Besides, Rothman wrote, it was a small amount of drugs. And in an earlier letter, Rothman said the state had a weak case.

Prosecutors obliged, dismissing cocaine and marijuana possession counts on April 14. Gorin, also charged with DUI, pleaded no contest to reckless driving, a lesser charge. He made a $2,500 donation to the Dade Community Foundation, earmarked for a crime victims' fund. He also agreed to do 50 hours of community service and provide proof to the state attorney's office.

Hoague says she approved the plea because Gorin was a first-time offender with lots of support from family and employees, and because ''we were very concerned about his ability to continue the business and continue to employ a large number of people.'' She felt he deserved a chance.

During negotiations, Rothman asked for ''a withhold of adjudication so that we can obtain a sealing of the record upon successful completion of probation.'' The defense attorney also suggested that Gorin undergo drug testing during the probation period.

Gorin got the withhold of adjudication -- but no probation or drug testing. ''It had to do with the loan,'' Hoague says. ''He would have to disclose probation.'' That could have hurt his chances, Hoague explains.

On May 27, Coral Gables cops nailed Gorin on a cocaine possession charge. Police also tacked on an indecent exposure count because Gorin relieved himself near the roadside.

''Did he disappoint us? Absolutely,'' Hoague says.

Before signing off on the plea agreement, the veteran prosecutor says she insisted on meeting with Gorin to let him know he would ``not be given this kind of consideration again.''

Says Hoague: 'He assured me that he understood. I told him, `Next time you're back, all bets are off.' I was hopeful he would not be back.''

Gorin, 53, is due back in court June 17 for arraignment.

So, did Gorin get the bank loan? Says Rothman: ``None of your business.''

HOT STOVE

• Gourmet Gourmet, a popular Chinese take-out restaurant that moved out of its Valencia Avenue location in Coral Gables in December after 16 years, has reopened at 4249 W. Flagler St. in Miami. Owner Jose Sang, 55, whose background is Dominican-Cantonese, says it is a bigger space and he has updated his menu. Plus, for a few dollars, he delivers.

• Barrio Latino Restaurant is coming to Coral Gables, in the former Beverly Hills Cafe space on Sunset Drive. Edwin Scheer, 43, who co-owns the original Barrio Latino in Aventura with sister Jennifer, 40, says construction should begin in late summer for a winter opening. They plan a complete remodel, with a full bar and with a front courtyard facing Sunset. Cuisine is a mix of Argentine, Mexican and Cuban.

Another Barrio Latino in Kendall has different owners, Scheer says.

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