AltWeeklies Wire
Russian Billionaires Battle for South Florida Islandnew
The war over Miami's Fisher Island involves claims of torture and murder.
Miami New Times |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
11-18-2011 |
Features
Shaqzilla!new
Shaquille O'Neal wages war against a Miami computer geek.
Miami New Times |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
09-20-2011 |
Features
Dubious Diplomasnew
It took a Miami New Times reporter just eight days and $399 in cash to obtain a high school diploma from the InterAmerican Christian Academy -- using coursework completed by an 8-year-old girl.
Miami New Times |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
06-02-2011 |
Education
Cocaine King Max Mermelstein Came Out of Hiding for a Screenwriternew
On the screen, superspliced interviews with two former smugglers tell the story of the cocaine avalanche that in the 1980s turned Miami into a bullet-riddled Little Medellín. Using budget special effects to augment footage of drug busts and murder scenes, Cocaine Cowboys isn't your typical documentary.
Miami New Times |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
03-01-2010 |
Drugs
Homeless Under Julia Tuttle Try to Pass for Sex Offendersnew
Since 2006, Florida Department of Corrections officials have forced convicted sex offenders to live under the Julia Tuttle upon their release from prison. At last count, 140 of the social exiles have lived on what might be post-recession Miami's only high-demand waterfront property.
Miami New Times |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
12-21-2009 |
Crime & Justice
At Florida Memorial University, Surviving Assaults is Part of the Curriculumnew
A student named Robert tools his Toyota Camry in semicircles around campus and points out past crime scenes. "That's where the kid was thrown into the lagoon," he says nonchalantly as he drives. "The student center's where the riot went down... There was a shooting at that bookstore."
Miami New Times |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
12-14-2009 |
Crime & Justice
The Leader of a High-Profile Florida Church is Enveloped in Scandalnew
Next month, Pastor Gaston Smith of Friendship Missionary Baptist is set to stand trial for allegedly stealing from a community fund named for his hero, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Miami New Times |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
08-17-2009 |
Religion
Shark Attack -- Oops, Shark Accident -- Victim Defends the Beasts on Capitol Hillnew
Michael Beach recently joined eight other survivors on Capitol Hill to lobby legislators to pass the Shark Conservation Act of 2009, introduced by Sen. John Kerry. It would close loopholes related to "finning," the brutal practice of slicing off live sharks' fins for soup.
Miami New Times |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
08-17-2009 |
Animal Issues
Miami Heat Superstar Dwyane Wade Sure Picked a Dubious Business Partnernew
In 2007, Richard von Houtman and Wade teamed up to create a chain of upscale sports bars and invest in a charter school company. Now von Houtman seems to have a single objective: to disparage one of the National Basketball Association's most popular players.
Miami New Times |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
07-13-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Alberto Mora: Profile in Cojonesnew
The Bush backer stood up against Guantanamo abuses. Now he's an Obama man.
Miami New Times |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
03-02-2009 |
War
Holy Hustler: Miami Pastor Will Save City's Soul — If He Can Stay Out of Jailnew
Pastor Vincent Spann is one of Miami's most complex characters: He's a disgraced former drill sergeant who has gained national prominence for rescuing legions of addicts using military discipline, supernatural faith, and flimflam.
Miami New Times |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
01-26-2009 |
Religion
Tags: Miami, Vincent Spann
Must Love Meth: Drug-Testing Company is Desperately Seeking Tweekersnew
Despite the talk of rising unemployment, we have found work for members of South Florida's lighter-fluid-and-Drano-ingesting set.
Miami New Times |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
12-15-2008 |
Drugs
To Hell with the Economy! The Lawless Exotic Rental Car Industry Keeps Rollingnew
Many cars in South Florida's exotic-for-a-day trade are illegal. The cars' real owners make under-the-table deals with brokers, but most brokers don't have proper rental insurance, so the deal constitutes insurance fraud.
Miami New Times |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
12-08-2008 |
Business & Labor
