Former Miami city manager testifies the city was ‘targeting’ certain Little Havana businesses

In an explosive newly released court document, a former City of Miami manager testified under oath that he witnessed firsthand that City of Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo was “targeting” code enforcement against certain businesses in Little Havana in order to shut them down.

The new transcript was released as part of a lawsuit winding its way through federal courts, alleging that the City of Miami “deployed a deliberate policy” of harassing and shutting down a group of bars and restaurants in Little Havana with which Carollo had a political feud. Another similar lawsuit is also separately in the federal courts.

City of Miami attorneys sought to keep sworn testimony from former City Manager Emilio Gonzalez confidential. In an order entered this week, U.S. District Court Judge Lissette Reid ruled that the testimony cannot be kept secret.

The alleged targeting and the resulting business closures resulted in the loss of $27.91 million in profits for the businesses, the suits allege.

Calls to the Miami city administration, Commissioner Joe Carollo’s office and the office of Miami city attorney Victoria Mendez for this story were not returned. For more of the story, go to wlrn.org/news.

Daniel Rivero is a reporter and producer for WLRN, The Miami Herald’s news partner.

This story was originally published November 22, 2022 at 11:21 AM.