Miami New Times | Francisco Alvarado

Pain & Gainnew

The murderous exploits of the Sun Gym Gang were first chronicled in Miami New Times. Now they're the basis of a Michael Bay film featuring Mark Wahlberg.

Miami New Times | Francisco Alvarado | 04-02-2013 | Movies

Tags: Michael Bay, Pain & Gain

In the Shadow of the Black Widownew

The heir of cocaine queen Griselda Blanco still lives in her tangled web.

Miami New Times | Francisco Alvarado | 10-13-2011 | Crime & Justice

Florida Election Day Recapnew

The Dark Side wins while the meek soldier on.

Miami New Times | Francisco Alvarado | 08-25-2010 | Politics

Tags: Rick Scott, Kendrick Meek

Jerry Powers, the Man Behind 'Ocean Drive,' Refuses to Surrendernew

After 15 years as publisher of one of America's best-known glossy magazines, Powers was recently pushed out by the new owner, Niche Media. Now he's at war with his former partners. On one front, he has sued Niche in federal court for illegally trying to silence him. Meanwhile, the widow of former Ocean Drive investor Derick Daniels has accused Powers of swindling her out of millions of dollars.

Miami New Times | Francisco Alvarado | 10-19-2009 | Media

Tags: Derick Daniels, Jerry Powers, Niche Media, Sandi Powers, Miami, Ocean Drive, magazines

In Miami Beach, 'Introducing Ethics Reform' is a Sneaky Way to Take Down Your Political Rivalnew

The city commission is engulfed in a power struggle, with an election less than three months away. The bickering can be traced to last year, when Richard Steinberg gave up his commission seat to run for state representative.

Miami New Times | Francisco Alvarado | 08-24-2009 | Politics

Tags: city politics, Richard Steinberg, Miami Beach, ethics reform

A Fight Brews Over Secure Wrap's County Contract at Miami International Airportnew

Secure Wrap's contract with MIA is up and things are getting interesting again. Secure Wrap has a squad of high-powered lobbyists to protect it from competitors who want in on the action. The company needs all the help it can get.

Miami New Times | Francisco Alvarado | 03-23-2009 | Business & Labor

Tags: business, Miami International Airport, Secure Wrap

Guards Are Preying on Inmates at a Miami Federal Prisonnew

Officers and employees sexually assaulting inmates without fear of any consequences is a widespread problem afflicting federal prisons across the nation.

Miami New Times | Francisco Alvarado | 03-23-2009 | Crime & Justice

Tags: Miami Federal Detention Center, prison sexual abuse

Can a Kimbo Slice Protege Become a Ghetto Superstar?new

Dhafir Harris could be on his way to becoming the Dana White of the ghetto. White is the pugnacious ex-boxing trainer who transformed MMA from a fringe sport into a multimillion-dollar business through Ultimate Fighting Championship. Harris believes he can blaze a similar path by putting on backyard brawls.

Miami New Times | Francisco Alvarado | 12-15-2008 | Sports

Tags: Ultimate Fighting Championship, mixed martial arts, UFC, sports & fitness, MMA, Kimbo Slice, Dhafir Harris

Presidential Election Could Spur Voter Fraud in Miami-Dade Countynew

If you believe Nilo Juri, the eye of Hurricane Ballot Cheat, it could get ugly.

Miami New Times | Francisco Alvarado | 11-03-2008 | Politics

Tags: Florida, 2008 presidential election, voter fraud, battleground states, absentee ballots, Nilo Juri, vote tampering

Lilly Aramburo is One of 5,000 People a Year Reported Missing in Miami-Dade Countynew

Her disappearance and the intense efforts of bloggers to find her speak volumes about new ways of tracking down the missing in the internet age. It also suggests police indifference to such cases when they involve the less fortunate or drug addicted.

Miami New Times | Francisco Alvarado | 09-15-2008 | Crime & Justice

Tags: Miami, crime & justice, drug abuse, Christen Pacheco, Lilly Aramburo, missing persons

Hialeah Man Wrongly Convicted of Murdernew

An investigation reveals Hialeah homicide detectives rushed to charge Santo Hernandez with murders and didn't pursue leads that might have implicated a different triggerman.

Miami New Times | Francisco Alvarado | 07-15-2008 | Crime & Justice

Tags: murder, Miami, crime & justice, Miami-Dade police, Santo Hernandez, wrongly convicted