Ex-chief Acevedo testifies about ‘Crazy Joe’ as Carollo federal civil trial continues

MIAMI – Testimony continued on Tuesday within the federal civil trial of Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo, who’s accused of abusing his energy on native companies.

The jury heard from two former Miami police chiefs, together with Artwork Acevedo, who repeatedly referred to as Carollo “Loopy Joe” and stated the commissioner’s disdain for these businessmen was well-known all through town.

In the meantime, protection attorneys tried to color Acevedo as a disgruntled former metropolis worker with an axe to grind.

Invoice Fuller and Martin Pinilla, who personal a number of Little Havana properties, are suing Carollo for allegedly abusing his energy as a commissioner to focus on and harass them as a result of they supported Carollo’s political opponent.

The lawsuit states they noticed police raids and repeated code inspections, and so they even allege Carollo himself made late night time visits, in search of violations.

Former Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina testified about an encounter from February of 2019, the place the 2 received heated whereas speaking a few specific unplanned go to to one of many companies in query.

When Acevedo took the stand, he pulled no punches, referring to Carollo as “Loopy Joe” no less than thrice whereas describing what he referred to as the commissioner’s obsession and disdain for Fuller as an open secret within the metropolis.

Carollo may solely shake his head as he listened on, and his protection attorneys tried to discredit Acevedo, saying he has a private vendetta in opposition to town.

The trial is anticipated to take round two weeks. Testimony will proceed on Wednesday.