A former Miami Beach employee is behind bars after turning himself in to face criminal charges for allegedly accepting favors from the owners of a hotel undergoing renovation.
Former Miami Beach building official Mariano Fernandez was charged Tuesday with unlawful compensation. Fernandez's lawyer says the facts don't support a criminal charge.
Miami-Dade prosecutors say Fernandez used his authority to smooth permits and inspections for a renovation project at the Spanish-owned RUI Plaza Hotel between October 2013-June 2016. In exchange, authorities say Fernandez solicited free or deeply discounted rates at RIU properties in the Dominican Republic and Mexico.
Fernandez was fired last year by Miami Beach while under investigation.
Jail records showed the 64-year-old Fernandez was being held on $20,000 bond Tuesday.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office has scheduled a 2 p.m. news conference Tuesday to discuss the case.
Prosecutors are also filing charges against two senior RIU executives.