Chief Exposito: I Want Whistleblower Protection
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - The strange saga of Miami's embattled police chief has taken another strange turn. Facing possible firing as early as next Tuesday, the Chief has sent a letter to the man who will make that decision, demanding protection as a whistleblower.
CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald reported Saturday that Chief Miguel Exposito sent a letter to Miami City Manager Johnny Martinez last Tuesday, demanding the whistleblower protection. Under Miami's government structure, Martinez is the person with the power to fire the chief.
Friday, CBS4's Jim DeFede learned that the two men are set to meet Tuesday, and that sources close to the chief expect him to be suspended for insubordination. The city charter requires that as a first step before he can be fired.
His termination could be the topic of a Miami city commission meeting Thursday, but nothing is certain. Neither Martinez nor Exposito are commenting, Exposito because he is under orders from Martinez not to speak with the media unless it's about public safety matters.
According to The Herald, a 2-page letter was sent to Martinez Tuesday, with Exposito claiming he has been targeted by Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado since December 29th, 2010, after he wrote a letter to the feds claiming the Mayor had interfered with a gambling machine investigation.
Regalado believes the slots-like video machines, known as Machinitas, are legal under a city ordinance passed with his support. Exposito believes they are illegal gambling devices, and has raided businesses where the machines are in use. The difference has locked the two men in a bitter battle.
"I can claim I have been unfairly targeted by him since December," Mayor Regalado told The Herald. "I don't understand why he's doing this now. He does this when he feels his job is endangered."
Exposito was hired in November 2009 with Regalado's support. The chief's contract with the city expires in January 2012, an agreement made when he entered the state's DROP program, but the Chief has since said he will not retire as scheduled.
