From 2001 Sun Sentinel,
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2001-12-07/news/0112070129_1_perez-demetrio-private-schools
Former Miami-Dade School Board Member Demetrio Perez Jr. was sentenced to six months house arrest and 18 months probation on Thursday for overcharging a tenant in an apartment building he owns.
Perez signed leases agreeing to accept $28 a month from a tenant in return for a $422 monthly government subsidy. In that and other cases, Perez then charged his tenants as much as $300 a month more -- and then falsely said on government forms that he had not done so.
"Demetrio has accepted full responsibility for what he did and appreciates the attitude of the U.S. Attorney's Office," said Jeffrey S. Weiner, Perez's attorney. "In a case that involves a political figure it's easy for prosecutors to take advantage and go for tough prosecutions."
In addition to the sentence, Perez will serve 500 hours community service. Perez will be allowed to go to work at Lincoln-Marti Schools, a chain of private schools he owns.
From 2001 Miami Herald,
Former Miami-Dade School Board member Demetrio Pérez Jr. stood in front of a federal judge Thursday and pleaded guilty to defrauding a government rent-subsidy program of as much as $20,000.
Pérez, 56, was scheduled for trial next month on 21 counts of mail fraud and making false statements. Instead, he struck a plea deal with prosecutors that would spare him jail time, but would keep him at home wearing a monitoring bracelet for four to 10 months.
U.S. District Judge Ursula Ungaro-Benages has final say on the plea agreement. If she accepts it, she will decide on Pérez's punishment.
``Do I wish he could get jail time? Yes,'' said U.S. Attorney Guy Lewis. ``Unfortunately, if you're a drug dealer, you go to jail for a long time. But if you steal from poor people, the federal sentencing guidelines are not as harsh.''
At the midday hearing, Ungaro-Benages detailed for Pérez what his plea entailed:
"Do you understand that with a guilty plea you give up your right to appeal, vote or hold public office?'' Ungaro-Benages asked.
"Yes,'' said Pérez, a perennial Miami political figure who was first elected to the city commission in 1981 and to the school board in 1996.
On the courthouse steps, Pérez, flanked by family and friends, was mum. His attorney, Jeffrey S. Weiner, said his client is repentant.
"This is a very difficult day for Demetrio Pérez Jr.'' Weiner said. ``He's been a gentleman and admitted his guilt. He's made some mistakes. He accepts responsibility and is trying to move on.''
Pérez is a millionaire land owner and proprietor of a private school chain, the Lincoln-Martí Schools.
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/bestof/2002/award/best-local-boy-gone-bad-15767/
http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/exile/demetrio-fraud.htm
In addition to the sentence, Perez will serve 500 hours community service. Perez will be allowed to go to work at Lincoln-Marti Schools, a chain of private schools he owns.
From 2001 Miami Herald,
Former Miami-Dade School Board member Demetrio Pérez Jr. stood in front of a federal judge Thursday and pleaded guilty to defrauding a government rent-subsidy program of as much as $20,000.
Pérez, 56, was scheduled for trial next month on 21 counts of mail fraud and making false statements. Instead, he struck a plea deal with prosecutors that would spare him jail time, but would keep him at home wearing a monitoring bracelet for four to 10 months.
U.S. District Judge Ursula Ungaro-Benages has final say on the plea agreement. If she accepts it, she will decide on Pérez's punishment.
``Do I wish he could get jail time? Yes,'' said U.S. Attorney Guy Lewis. ``Unfortunately, if you're a drug dealer, you go to jail for a long time. But if you steal from poor people, the federal sentencing guidelines are not as harsh.''
At the midday hearing, Ungaro-Benages detailed for Pérez what his plea entailed:
"Do you understand that with a guilty plea you give up your right to appeal, vote or hold public office?'' Ungaro-Benages asked.
"Yes,'' said Pérez, a perennial Miami political figure who was first elected to the city commission in 1981 and to the school board in 1996.
On the courthouse steps, Pérez, flanked by family and friends, was mum. His attorney, Jeffrey S. Weiner, said his client is repentant.
"This is a very difficult day for Demetrio Pérez Jr.'' Weiner said. ``He's been a gentleman and admitted his guilt. He's made some mistakes. He accepts responsibility and is trying to move on.''
Pérez is a millionaire land owner and proprietor of a private school chain, the Lincoln-Martí Schools.
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/bestof/2002/award/best-local-boy-gone-bad-15767/
http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/exile/demetrio-fraud.htm
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