Friday, November 13, 2009
Spence-Jones addresses recent allegations at news conference
MIAMI (WSVN) -- A Miami commissioner addressed recent criminal allegations at a news conference Friday morning, saying she is "confident" she will be cleared of the charge brought against her.
Published reports state Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones is accused of pocketing $50,000 in county grant money to benefit her family business. The reports go on to say she forged the name of a former commissioner on a letter in an effort to steer the grants toward the business.
"This charge is about removing me from office and not seeking the truth," Spence-Jones said during the conference. "I did not forge any letters or steal any money."
On Thursday, Spence-Jones took the oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony for her second term. The commissioner maintained her innocence and made subtle references to the allegations minutes after being sworn in. "We know wickedness sits in high places, but I will not allow for it. I will not allow for it to win," she said.
Meanwhile, her colleague, City of Miami Commissioner Angel Gonzalez has agreed to resign as part of a deal with prosecutors who have been pursuing a separate criminal probe against him. Both have publicly denied not just the accusations against them but the investigations altogether.
Spence-Jones won re-election with nearly 83 percent of the vote for her District 5 seat, which includes Overtown, Little Haiti and Liberty City. Before taking the stage to take her oath Thursday, she made it clear to the media she would not comment about the allegations she is the subject of an active, on-going criminal investigation by the State Attorney's Office.
Instead, she provided this prepared statement: "The matter that the State Attorney's Office is examining as it relates to me is not breaking news. It is an old story, at least three years old. I have learned, as an elected official, we are under constant scrutiny. I am not worried because I know I have done nothing wrong..."
Meanwhile, Gonzalez has agreed to resign as early as Friday, according to sources, as part of a deal with prosecutors who have been pursuing a separate criminal probe against him. A few days earlier, when asked if there was any truth to the accusations, Gonzalez called them false. "They're rumors. Those rumors have been spread around for the past two or three weeks. People have been calling, people have been coming to my office, and there's nothing about that," Gonzalez said.
In her statement, Spence-Jones also went on to address the scrutiny Gonzalez has endured. "My prayers go out to Commissioner Gonzalez and his family," she said. "I wish him and his family the best."
The newly elected mayor took his oath on Wednesday, but he had no idea he would have to deal with these problems. "I have to live with whatever happens, if the rumors are true," he said outside his office on his first full day of work. "I just need to be informed, so we can take actions with the manager and the city attorney."
If both of these commissioners need to be replaced, their absences would mean the commission would not have a quorum to make any decisions, then the governor would need to step in to fill their seats.
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