Miami needs transparency and accountability from state attorney’s office | Opinion

Active response

The recent controversies involving State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, highlighted in the Miami Herald’s Jan. 2 article, “Miami state attorney under fire: Wayward prosecutor, botched cases, a fed-up judge,” demand her direct and decisive response.

“Act, don’t react” is a mantra historically attributed to her actions. Now, she must embody those words by addressing these issues head-on without relying on weak surrogates like former Miami-Dade County ethics chief Jose Arrojo. Public confidence hinges on transparency and accountability.

Rundle must personally confront these concerns, outlining a specific plan addressing pending and lingering cases with clear, decisive and immediate actions. This is her opportunity, as she has in the past, to lead decisively, rebuild trust and uphold the integrity of her role.

Julio Rumbaut,

Miami Beach

Wealth and the law

The Herald’s Dec. 31 editorial, “Power can’t shield South Florida men from charges,” hit the mark. The sun and fun of South Florida attracts these sexual predators. How effective is our legal system when dealing with felonious elites?

As mentioned in the editorial, Jeffrey Epstein was let off the hook by a Palm Beach court because of his wealth and with no consequences for the corrupted. Former film producer Harvey Weinstein got away with it for decades.

What will the legal treatment be now for the Alexander brothers’ sex trafficking case?

More than 40 victims coming forth is hardly conspiratorial and not a small matter. The almost open-ended amount of bond being offered by the brothers’ parents is a telling indication that their destination is Israel. Once there, extradition does not exist. How this case is handled will say much about our legal system and the wealthy if they are tried. And if convicted, whether the appeal process will be without tampering.

How would this case be handled had the Miami Herald not covered it?

Michael G. Merhige,

Kendall

America’s everyman

The passing of former President Jimmy Carter is a moment to reflect on America’s character. From what I have read and seen, he is the epitome of goodness, selflessness and high moral character, with a determination to succeed.

As with most presidents, he had successes and failures. The peace between Egypt and Israel, which he forged at Camp David, was monumental. His inability to get Iran to release American hostages was a dismal failure.

Carter left office after one term, but not life’s pursuit. What he accomplished after the presidency is the stuff of books and films. His Carter Center, the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project for Habitat for Humanity, efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty, are all well documented. He continued his involvement with these well into his 90s. No man deserved the Nobel Peace Prize more.

This humble man deserves our highest regard and will be well-remembered and honored through the ages.

Roger Shatanof,

Coral Gables

Cuba’s economy

In her Dec. 30 story, “Leaked documents show Cuban military sitting on billions of dollars amid humanitarian crisis,” El Nuevo Herald reporter Nora Gamez Torres exposed a truth long understood by the Cuban exile community: The island’s economic collapse is not caused by sanctions on the regime.

Bank reserves held by Gaviota, one of many companies owned by Cuba’s military, could resolve Cuba’s critical shortages of medicine. Those reserves could also address the widespread lack of food and other essentials. Yet, the regime chooses to hoard wealth and maintain its grip on power.

An economic analysis shows Cuba has become a haven for rent-seekers, where officials and their allies monopolize industries to enrich themselves. Meanwhile, ordinary Cubans survive on peso wages but pay dollar-equivalent prices for basic goods.

Those who continue supporting the regime must confront the truth: that its policies have caused economic devastation comparable to the effects of war, benefiting only a corrupt elite while condemning most to enduring poverty.

Carlos Martinez,

Silver Spring, MD

Music diversity

Thanks to the organizers and producers of downtown Miami’s New Year’s Eve celebration at Bayfront Park. The party provided an opportunity for Miami to display its beauty to locals and tourists alike.

Perhaps next year they will present some English-speaking performers for the enjoyment of the rest of us. We are a multicultural city. Let’s prove it.

Lawrence A. Snetman,

Miami

Indifference?

Is State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle really the champion of crime victims, as she touts in her anti-sex trafficking initiatives? Or is this all a facade?

Two recent cases question her authenticity and genuine concern for victims.

In 2022, George Pino, a well-connected real estate agent in Doral, piloted and crashed a boat, killing one underage girl and permanently injuring another. They were celebrating his daughter’s high school graduation and she had invited several friends aboard. Although he admitted to drinking that day, he refused a sobriety test and was not compelled to take one. Within seven hours, investigators had ruled out alcohol as a factor. Meanwhile, a severely injured girl had a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal level. An investigator that night called Rundle’s office and others, yet no demand was made to test Pino. The next day, 61 empty bottles of liquor and beer were found on the boat.

The second case involves a well-connected Miami Beach doctor, recently charged with sex-trafficking a minor who was then found dead. To this day, Rundle does not know how the minor, a key witness in the case, was found dead. Her mother had reported her missing, including to Rundle’s office, yet her body lay unidentified in the morgue for 14 days. Despite Rundle’s self-promoting about efforts to combat human trafficking, the Dec. 29 Miami Herald story, “Dr. Feelgood,” demonstrates she didn’t take the case seriously, made multiple mistakes and failed to protect the minor, treating her instead as a juvenile delinquent.

In both cases, Rundle has shown favor to high-profile perpetrators of crime rather than to the victims.

Ken Barnes,

North Miami

Apple and orange

Republicans fault President Biden, his administration and Senate Democrats for failing to secure the nation’s southern border following the Jan. 1 New Orleans terrorist attack that left 15 people dead. Law enforcement identified a 42-year-old U.S. citizen and Texas resident as the terrorist. He had served in the U.S. Army and the Army Reserve for many years.

How does the southern border come into play?

Joseph Hornstein,

Miami

Over and out

Why would a coach of Jim Larrañaga’s pedigree and character subject himself to leading a college basketball program in this age of NIL [name, image and likeness] money?

The schools with the most money buy the best players. Today’s athletes could care less about academics or the quality of the coaching staff; it’s simply show me the money.

Why should a coach put the energy into developing an athlete, only to find said athlete entering the transfer pool at the end of the school year?

Good for Larrañaga. Get out now before the disappointments and frustrations of this new reality break him.

Arnold R. Gellman,

Miami

American nightmare

The Jan. 1 terrorist attack in New Orleans was committed by an American citizen who served in the United States military. Let’s stop blaming crime on one sector of our population and work together to make our country safe.

If we fail to accomplish this, everyone will be afraid to go anywhere and our freedoms will be lost forever.

Art Young,

West Kendall

Tiptoe into Bitcoin

The 2024 Bitcoin rally reminds me of the Dutch Tulip Bulb Mania in 1634 and the collapse in 1637 of tulip bulb contract prices. Tulips became so valuable they were nearly used as money. Bitcoin seems to be mimicking the tulip mania. At least one could hold a tulip bulb in the hand.

Can you do that with Bitcoin?

Mark Osman,

Kendall