Fallout from Bayfront Park Trust Meeting: Scrutiny Deepens, Safeguards Tighten

MIAMI, FL  — A day after an intense and revealing meeting of the Bayfront Park Management Trust, officials are moving aggressively to address allegations of serious financial misconduct tied to the tenure of former Chairman Joe Carollo.

At the center of the storm: a growing body of evidence suggests that Carollo may have repeatedly violated his fiduciary duties, misused Trust resources, and blurred the lines between public funds and personal political interests. Trust leadership is not waiting for conclusions—they’ve already requested a full-scale investigation from the Miami-Dade County Inspector General.

They are referring aspects of the case to law enforcement and prosecutors as appropriate.

Among the most disturbing accusations: claims that Carollo directed Trust employees to perform work for his City Commission office, approved no-bid contracts without justification, and created a hostile working environment under his leadership. Financial records also reportedly point to possible use of Trust funds to support his political operations—actions that would constitute a serious abuse of public trust.

“We’re taking this seriously—and we’re moving fast,” said Executive Director Raul Miro following Tuesday’s meeting. “There’s no room for hesitation when taxpayer money and public confidence are on the line.”

While the investigation begins, the Trust is not standing still. Board leadership has signaled a clear shift from past practices and is making internal accountability a top priority.

The meeting marks a significant shift in tone and urgency from the Trust, which has often operated quietly behind the scenes. Under current Chair Miguel Gabela, however, the organization has taken a markedly different posture—calling out what Gabela has described as a pattern of waste, favoritism, and “banana republic-style” behavior under Carollo’s oversight.

While the investigation is expected to take several months, one thing is already clear: the era of business as usual at Bayfront Park is over.

“This isn’t about politics,” Miro emphasized. “It’s about cleaning house, protecting the public interest, and restoring integrity to the way we do business.”

The Trust committed to providing public updates as the investigation by the Inspector General’s Office unfolds.