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City of Miami
Legislation
Resolution
City Hall
3500 Pan American
Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 07-00727 Final Action Date:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ACKNOWLEDGING THAT
FORMER COMMISSIONER ARTHUR EARLE TEELE, JR., HAS BEEN CLEARED
OF ALL THE CRIMINAL CHARGES BY REASON OF WHICH HE WAS
SUSPENDED FROM OFFICE; URGING GOVERNOR CHARLIE CRIST TO
REVOKE THE SUSPENSION AND THEREBY ENABLE HIS WIDOW TO
RECOVER BACK PAY AND SUCH OTHER EMOLUMENTS AND ALLOWANCES
AS SHE MAY BE ENTITLED TO UNDER THE LAW.
WHEREAS on November 14, 1997, Arthur Earle Teele Jr. was elected as a Commissioner of
the City of Miami, and was subsequently re-elected on November 15, 2001; and
WHEREAS, on September 14, 2004, the State Attorney for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit filed a
two -count criminal information charging Commissioner Teele with two third-degree felonies: corruption
by threat against a public servant and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; and
WHEREAS, on September 22, 2004, by Executive Order 04-212, the Governor of the State of
Florida suspended Commissioner Teele from public office; and
WHEREAS, on January 4, 2005, the State Attorney for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit filed an
amended criminal information, charging Commissioner Teele with an additional ten counts of
compensation/reward for unlawful official behavior; and
WHEREAS, on February 16, 2005, the jury trial commenced as to the charges of corruption by
threat against a public servant and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; and
WHEREAS, on March 2, 2005, the jury rendered its verdict finding Commissioner Teele not
guilty on the aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and guilty on the charge of corruption by threat
against a public servant; and
WHEREAS, on March 3, 2005, by Executive Order 05-46, the Governor of the State of Florida,
amended Executive Order 04-212, to reflect the suspension of Commissioner Teele as being further
supported by the amended criminal information filed by the state on January 4, 2005; and
WHEREAS, on March 18, 2005, the trial court entered a judgment of guilt as to the charge of
corruption by threat against a public servant; and
WHEREAS, on May 4, 2005, Commissioner Teele was sentenced to two years probation in
state court; and
WHEREAS, on July 14, 2005, the United States Attorney's Office filed a 26 count indictment in
federal court, including charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud,
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money laundering' conspiracy, money laundering promotion, money laundering concealment, and
money laundering; and
WHEREAS, on July 27, 2005, Commissioner Teele committed suicide; and
WHEREAS, on August 12, 2005, the State Attorney's Office dismissed the ten counts of
compensation/reward for unlawful official behavior; and
WHEREAS, on December 13, 2005, the Federal District Court granted the United States'
motion to dismiss the federal indictment against Commissioner Teele because of his death; and
WHEREAS, on April 18, 2007, the Third District Court of Appeals reversed Commissioner
Teele's conviction and sentence on the charge of corruption by threat against a public servant and
subsequently on May 22, 2007, the trial court entered a judgment of acquittal; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Supreme Court has ruled that a suspension from office does not
destroy, but merely suspends, the right acquired by an election to the office; and
WHEREAS, Florida Statute Section 112.51 (6), provides that if a municipal official is acquitted
or found not guilty or is otherwise cleared of the charges which were the basis of arrest, indictment, or
information by reason of which he or she was suspended, then the Governor shall forthwith revoke the
suspension and restore such municipal to office and the official shall be entitled to and be paid full
back pay and such other emoluments or allowances to which he or she would have been entitled for
the full period of the suspension;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are adopted
by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The Miami City Commission takes notice of the fact that Commissioner Teele has
been cleared of all charges by reason of which he was suspended from office on September 22, 2004,
by the Governor, and urges Governor Charlie Crist to revoke the suspension of former City
Commissioner Arthur Earle Teele, Jr., and thereby enable his widow to recover back pay and such
other emoluments or allowances as she might be entitled to under the law.
Section 3. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to Governor Charlie
Crist.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and signature
of the Mayor.{1}
APPROVED AS TO FORM A • CORRECTNESS:
JOR = L. ' ERNANDEZ
CITY ' TONEY
City of Miami
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File Number. 07-00727
Footnotes:
{1} If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten calendar days
from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become
effective immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission.
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