Miami Commissioner Settles Ethics Charge Over Traffic Stop

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust today approved a settlement Wednesday with Miami City Commissioner Frank Carollo.

Carollo was accused of exploiting his official position to get out of a traffic ticket in Coconut Grove in August 2012.

Miami resident and blogger Al Crespo filed an ethics complaint saying after being pulled over by Miami Police Officer John Blackerby, Carollo phoned City of Miami Police Chief Manuel Orosa for  help in getting out of a traffic ticket.

The investigation determined that, after being pulled over, Carollo called the chief, who subsequently called the area commander, who then told dispatchers to have the officer call him.  The officer let Carollo go with a warning.  

During Wednesday's public hearing, Commissioner Carollo pleaded No Contest to the complaint and agreed to pay a fine of $1,000 plus investigative costs of $1,404.15.  Additionally, he will accept a Letter of Instruction, which is to be drafted and presented to the Ethics Commission at its monthly meeting on March 13, 2014.

After the settlement was unanimously approved, Ethics Commission Chairman Nelson Bellido said it would send a message to the community and other elected officials not to exploit their positions or give the appearance of doing so.  "Our elected officials need to be held to a higher standard," Bellido added.