New Charges
State Now Claims Building and Zoning Employee Stole $100,000
in Time Sheet Scam

“While I don't believe that it is anyone’s business, I have requested my entire bank account history….”

By Cynthia Archbold

The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s office has brought new charges against a city of Coral Gables Building and Zoning Department administrative assistant, adding to his list of alleged crimes the assertion that he may have stolen $100,000.

The charges, one count of grand theft in the first degree and organized fraud, are way up from the $1,200 Jorge Reyes was initially charged with stealing by allegedly turning in fake temp worker time sheets.

Reyes (right) was rearraigned under the new charges during a hearing on Nov. 21.

“The grand theft in the first degree charge means I have the burden of proving there was a minimum of $100,000 in crimes,” says Assistant State Attorney Johnette Hardiman, who is in charge of prosecuting the case.

She says the new charges against Reyes arose from new evidence discovered since the Building and Zoning Department was sealed off as a crime area, when Reyes was arrested Sept. 8 and its director, Margaret Pass, was placed on administrative leave.

At the time, Police Chief Michael Hammerschmidt said Building and Zoning would be searched from top to bottom, including time sheets, leave slips, expense forms, P-card and charge account receipts, and phone logs.

Hardiman says she still is waiting for subpoenaed information, and will probably file additional charges against Reyes. She says because more evidence is pending it is too early to give a total dollar amount of the criminal charges, but says the figure could increase substantially.

She says the state will still pursue the drug charges made when Reyes was arrested, consisting of one count each of possession of a controlled substance for methamphetamine and cocaine. Reyes’ trial date has been set for March 12.

Reyes was arrested after a five-month investigation that alleged he asked a friend to pose as a temporary worker to do jobs never performed, and split the paychecks, paid by the city.

After his arrest, Reyes was suspended from his job without pay.

On Nov. 29, Reyes was scheduled for a predetermination meeting with the city of Coral Gables, “part of giving employees due process,” Human Resources Director Marge Adler explains. The outcome of the meeting, if any, was unknown at deadline.

In the aftermath of Reyes’ arrest and the city scandal, an Internet blog called “City Hall Confidential” on Miamipost.org has added a new operatic and interactive dimension.

A blogger who claims he is Jorge Reyes, the accused, complete with an artsy photo portrait, proclaims his innocence while a Greek chorus of city watchers, some of whom seem to have known Reyes for years, witness and comment on his predicament.

First, the blogger known as Reyes wants you to know that he didn’t steal $100,000.

“OK, whoever is going for this, it seems that I have … laundered money through my mother's bank accounts. This is what’s at issue. While I don't believe that it is anyone’s business, I have requested my entire bank account history, my mother's bank account history, and my entire financial situation, and it will become public for anyone to see, should they want.”

The Reyes blogger also looks forward to his day in court: “I will prove my innocence but I will prove the guilt of others.”

Contacted by the SunPost, Reyes referred comments to his lawyer, David Garvin. Garvin did not return phone calls by deadline.

Comments? E-mail letters@miamisunpost.com.