Sometimes you read news that just restores your faith in your fellow man:
Developer Raul Masvidal, one of Miami-Dade's most prominent civic leaders, is slated to be arrested today on felony charges that he siphoned tens of thousands of dollars from the county's Housing Agency to buy himself a sculpture of a giant watermelon slice.Masvidal will become the second developer in recent months accused of stealing money from the Miami-Dade Housing Agency while thousands of poor families scraped by in decrepit rental apartments, public housing or homeless shelters.
A former banker whose ties to local power brokers span three decades, Masvidal is expected to turn himself in today at the Miami-Dade state attorney's office, where he will be charged with grand theft and organized fraud. If convicted of the first-degree felonies, he could face as many as 30 years in prison.
According to investigators from the Miami-Dade inspector general's office, Masvidal used county money to buy a $150,000 watermelon sculpture titled Mars.
After far too many articles on these guys stealing from the poor because of a desire for drugs and hookers, it's refreshing to find a thief stealing in order to nourish his spirit with art.
That watermelon sculpture looks pretty refreshing too. Isn't it lovely?
Herald log-in/pswd=crockett@tubbs.com/miamivice.
Posted by floridacracker at March 5, 2007 06:15 AMyes it is lovely, Donnah. It reminds me of the sculpture trick they had in Lakeland the last couple years.
I'm wondering about the millions of bucks that they don't have 'proof' of. 150k is nada compared to
the amount of money that flows through their little 'veloper paws. Prick.
I wouldn't look for him to do any real time...too many houses in the ground and all, probably including notes he holds on half the people investigating this deal. I may sound overly cynical, but this 'bust' is probably a ruse designed to relieve some pressure.
Posted by: csason at March 5, 2007 11:36 AMJust another instance of a nutcase Florida artistic type. Being one myself, I should know. I am also someone who loves watermelon, which I'd have to assume this corrupt public servant does or else he needs some severe psychotherapy treatment. If I, too, had available bags full of tax dollars available that a developer hadn't gotten yet as a payoff to develop the Redlands or some such I could feel tempted to purchase an oversized slice of fake watermelon just to torture myself that I can't actually eat the slab of art.
I expect after this fellow is given a slap on the wrist for not being a more savvy guv'ment employee and getting away with this caper that he will join me May through June hovering around roadside watermelon stands filling up refrigerators and freezers for future enjoyment.
Posted by: Rob Smith, Jr. at March 5, 2007 01:38 PMCan't see anything. I'm angry at Titus for "beating" the slave.
You were once kind and noble my man. Now? You got some splaining to do.
Posted by: Wickedpinto at March 6, 2007 05:15 PMDear Philistines,
This is an example of postmodern expression of major significance, which overshadows your tedious little bourgeois concepts of "good" and "evil" -- what is that, anyway?
And do you know why? Because it is an exact replica of a slice of watermelon -- only MUCH LARGER.
(And since I know how obsessed with money your kind are, it costs $150K because it's made from pure titanium and caviar. Like, duh.)
Posted by: rg at March 6, 2007 09:33 PMRG,
I had a girlfriend in highschool who drove a brand new chevy caviar.
So I don't get it.
Posted by: Wickedpinto at March 7, 2007 08:07 AM