3 Charged With Stealing Miami Port Funds
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MIAMI — Three men associated with the Port of Miami, including its ousted former director, were charged Wednesday with stealing $1.3 million and using the money on such things as Super Bowl tickets, lingerie and bar tabs.
They also are accused of using stolen funds to donate $120,000 to the Democratic National Committee in 1994.
Since 1990, the three “have used the Port of Miami as a personal bank,” U.S. Attorney Thomas Scott said.
Calvin Grigsby, owner of the firm that ran the port’s container cargo cranes, and former port Director Carmen Lunetta were charged with conspiracy, embezzlement and money laundering. Contractor Neal Harrington was charged with embezzlement and theft.
The case is an outgrowth of a wide-ranging federal investigation into corruption in Miami city and county government.
Lunetta and Harrington pleaded not guilty Wednesday. Grigsby is scheduled to appear in court Monday. Attorneys for all three men have denied any wrongdoing.
The port, owned by Miami and Dade County, is the eighth-busiest cargo port in the country.
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