S
tate prosecutors have dropped the public corruption case against former Miami Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla and attorney William "Bill" Riley Jr., citing a lack of evidence for conviction. Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor announced the decision on Wednesday, stating that his office had conducted a thorough investigation and found no reasonable likelihood of securing a guilty verdict.

    The case centered around allegations that Diaz de la Portilla and Riley engaged in bribery and money laundering by accepting campaign contributions from Miami-based Centner Academy owners David and Leila Centner. The Centners made significant donations to committees controlled by Diaz de la Portilla, who allegedly used his influence to secure a no-bid deal for the couple's company.

    However, an investigation by Pryor's office found that the Centners' contributions were lawful and transparently documented, with no evidence of corrupt intent or quid pro quo arrangements. The Centners had cooperated fully with the probe and maintained their innocence throughout.

    In a statement, the Centners expressed gratitude for the dismissal, saying it brought an end to a difficult chapter. Diaz de la Portilla's removal from office by Governor Ron DeSantis was not directly related to this case, but he did lose his reelection bid in November. The dismissal of charges is unlikely to result in his reinstatement as Miami commissioner.