The Miami Herald was first to report this morning that Miami-Dade Commissioner Jean Monestime’s aide, Evelt Jeudy, was “arrested on theft charge.”
The short, four-paragraph article was skimpy on details, merely stating that he was “arrested on charges related to theft and official misconduct, according to records posted by the county’s Corrections Department.”
A Channel 10 news story this afternoon was a bit more forthcoming.
“Jeudy’s long list of charges includes racketeering, organized fraud, 15 counts of official misconduct, six counts of grand theft, and unlawful compensation or reward for official behavior.
The details of the investigation had yet to be released Friday afternoon. According to the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, the arrest warrant was sealed.”
Sealed?
Well, isn’t that interesting?
We find it even more curious that the only thing Jean Monestime had to say about this breaking news was his prepared statement, which read, “Given that this matter is now in the hands of the criminal justice system, I am not at liberty to comment further.”
He’s not at liberty to comment further?
How odd.
We would have expected him to express his profound disappointment in the arrest of his personal assistant and confidant, and that criminal activity in his office would not be tolerated.
But, hey, that’s just us.
The Channel 10 story also reported, “Records show Jeudy was active in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.”
But, of course.
The article further reported:
“Jeudy appeared as a Monestime’s office contact for the Mom and Pop Small Business Grant Program, which offered up to $10,000 per business. The county’s Office of Management and Budget funded the program, but each district distributed the grants.
According to Florida Division of Corporations records, Jeudy was associated with Le Quotidien Immigration Services LLC, registered out of a home in Hollywood and operating out of an office in North Miami Beach.
Jeudy is also the registered agent of Fondation Jeudy Pour le Developpement du Sud-est, Inc., and League of Haitian American Voters, Inc., both nonprofit organizations that operate out of the same office in North Miami Beach.”
Le Quotidien Immigration Services LLC, was only formed in 2021, and Fondation Jeudy Pour le Developpement du Sud-est, Inc. in 2019. League of Haitian American Voters, Inc. was formed in 2010. All three organizations operate out of a North Miami Beach office located at 1140 NE 163 Street, Suite 24.
The news of Evelt Jeudy’s arrest sent shock waves through the political class of electeds in both North Miami and North Miami Beach, who all think they’re above the law.
Until now, maybe.
Corruption doesn’t happen in a vacuum.
The implications of Mr. Jeudy’s arrest may not be known for days, weeks, or even months, and right now we have more questions than answers
Why was the arrest warrant sealed?
Did Evelt Jeudy operate alone, or were others involved?
Is he falling on his sword to protect a bigger fish?
What does Jean Monestime know and when did he know it?
Are more arrests in the pipeline?
It’s been a very long time since State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle’s hammer came down on public corruption.
This was a good start, Kathy.
Now do Paule Villard.
Stephanie
Unbelievable, but not surprising. Hopefully, Kathy, as you call her, will committ to some serious spring cleaning with a bigger broom in the political arena.
And an oversize dust pan.
Lol … Kathy ‘Don’t Indict’ Fernandez-Rundle
Interesting that these “companies” worked out of an office next door to Sally Heyman’s office. Wouldn’t Sally’s office be responsible for those grants being in her district?
He did not operate the grant program out of the NMB office, only the nonprofits. And, yes, Sally’s office is responsible for distributing the grants in her district.