Miami, FL

Miami attorneys bankrolled DEA bribery scheme, federal prosecutors say

Published

2 years ago

January 23, 2024

Miami attorneys bankrolled DEA bribery scheme, federal prosecutors say

MIAMI (AP) — Federal prosecutors are expanding their investigation into a bribery scheme involving two former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration supervisors, turning their attention to two Miami defense attorneys suspected of profiting from repeated leaks of confidential DEA information.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan filed court papers Monday accusing the lawyers of bankrolling the scheme and asking a judge to allow prosecutors to review nearly 1,000 emails, text messages and recordings of protected phone calls between the attorneys and Manny Recio, a former DEA agent who later worked for the attorneys as a private investigator.

Attorneys’ communications with their clients and members of their investigative team are confidential and typically off limits from law enforcement, unless they are being used to carry out criminal activity. But federal prosecutors took the unusual step this week of asking a judge to invoke the “crime fraud exception” to this privilege, calling the communications between Recio and attorneys David Macey and Luis Guerra “integral to the bribery scheme.”

READ MORE: Professional informant takes center stage in bribery trial of veteran DEA agents

The motion marked an about-face for prosecutors, who for years went out of their way to avoid naming the lawyers as unindicted co-conspirators and beneficiaries of the conspiracy. Neither Macey nor Guerra has been charged, but prosecutors referred to them as “crooked attorneys” who “paid handsomely for DEA secrets” during a two-week trial that ended in November with a jury finding Recio and former DEA agent John Costanzo Jr. guilty of bribery and honest-services wire fraud.

“We’re here scheming about how we’re going to make money, money, money,” Guerra said in one intercepted conversation with Costanzo.

Macey and Guerra have not responded to repeated requests for comment. Both attorneys are longstanding members of what is known in Miami as the “white powder bar,” a fiercely competitive circle of high-priced defense attorneys who scramble to sign up kingpin clients, negotiate surrender deals and convert them into government cooperators.

In such a lucrative field, advance notice of an indictment or ongoing investigations can be the key to successfully recruiting a new client. But paying public officials for inside information is illegal.

Prosecutors said in the trial that after Recio retired he repeatedly asked Costanzo to run names in a confidential DEA database that tracks federal investigations of interest to his new employers. The two also discussed the timing of the arrest of the top drug trafficker in the Dominican Republic and the the exact date in 2019 when the grand jury was to indict businessman Alex Saab, a top criminal target in Venezuela and suspected bag man for the country’s president, Nicolas Maduro.

“Throughout the bribery scheme, Costanzo repeatedly leaked information to Recio to benefit him and the attorneys he worked with,” prosecutors wrote in a 28-page memo that quotes from wiretapped communications between Recio and Costanzo presented during trial. “Costanzo was leaking information so that Macey and Guerra could bring in more clients, and part of the scheme required Recio to convey the inside information to Macey and Guerra.”

In exchange, the attorneys lavished the two veteran lawmen with nearly $100,000 in cash and gifts, federal prosecutors said.

Bribes included a $50,000 down payment for Costanzo to purchase a Miami-area townhouse that was wired via middlemen including Costanzo’s father, himself a retired and decorated DEA agent who prosecutors said lied to the FBI.

“It’s about greed and corruption,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Deininger said in her closing argument at trial. “What they were doing was wrong and they knew it.”

Macey last appeared in federal court in December for the sentencing of a client who pleaded guilty to distributing more than $16 million worth of adulterated prescription drugs. Guerra appears to have rebranded his practice to focus on personal injury cases, saying in a social media post, “With Guerra, it rains money!”

Mustian reported from New York.

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Miami, FL

College football player transferred from Miami to Indiana before national championship

Published

7 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Press Room

College football player transferred from Miami to Indiana before national championship

A player who spent most of the 2025 season with College Football Playoff finalist Miami has now joined the Indiana program ahead of the national championship game.

Tight end Brock Schott was with the Hurricanes until Jan. 2 when he entered the NCAA transfer portal as Miami was still in the playoff.

Last week, he committed to the Hoosiers, before they went on to make the national title game, too.

Schott announced on Jan. 5 that he was joining the Indiana program.

The addition of Schott could give the Hoosiers an advantage as the freshman from Indiana knows the Miami playbook, as well as the team’s signals.

Brock Schott appeared in two games for Miami this season, catching a pair of passes for 24 yards. Both of his catches came in a 45-3 win over Bethune-Cookman.

Prior to joining the Miami program, Schott was a four-star recruit who was one of the top tight end prospects in the country.

The 6-foot-3, 245-pound player caught 28 passes for 462 yards and five touchdowns as a senior at Leo High School. He also played defense, recording 52 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles in 11 games.

Schott had an even better season as a junior, catching 35 passes for 743 yards and six touchdowns. Defensively, he had 32 tackles for loss and 19 sacks as a junior.

Miami and Indiana are set to meet in the national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

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Miami, FL

Three Kings Festival brings business, big crowds to Little Havana

Published

19 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

Three Kings Festival brings business, big crowds to Little Havana

Miami’s Three Kings Festival, centered around the annual Three Kings Parade in Little Havana, celebrates the Epiphany with a vibrant parade down Calle Ocho, featuring floats, music, and cultural performances, typically held the Sunday after Three Kings Day.

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Miami, FL

NBA Mock Trade: Miami Heat Go All-In For LaMelo Ball In Deal With Charlotte Hornets

Published

1 day ago

January 11, 2026

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NBA Mock Trade: Miami Heat Go All-In For LaMelo Ball In Deal With Charlotte Hornets

Rumors have swirled around Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball for several seasons, recently heating up ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season. Despite coming into the season with a promising young core, headlined by the All-Star guard, Charlotte’s struggles have persisted.

Ball has been largely inefficient in a new-look rotation, shooting just 41% from the field, tying the second-lowest mark of his career thus far. Monitoring teams around the league, several suitors could offer enticing returns for Ball, but one Eastern Conference club is one of the more sensible destinations for the Hornets guard: the Miami Heat. Here’s a mock trade that sees Ball moved to South Beach:

Charlotte Hornets-Miami Heat Mock Trade & Fantasy Basketball Impact

Jan 3, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Lamelo Ball (1) drives the ball against Chicago Bulls forward Isaac Okoro (35) during the first half at United Center. | Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

Charlotte Hornets receive Andrew Wiggins, Simone Fontecchio, 2029 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick

Miami Heat receive LaMelo Ball

A trade to a consistent playoff contender could help Ball overcome lasting narratives that have surrounded the star point guard. Fans, media personnel and coaches alike have speculated over Ball’s commitment and ability to buy in throughout his career, something that could be overcome with a trade to the Heat.

In Miami, Ball could contribute to a winning culture for a team prepared to re-enter title contention after moving on from Jimmy Butler last season. The Heat would roll out a big-three consisting of Ball, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, a trio that has the potential to emerge as one of the top in the NBA.

From a fantasy basketball standpoint, his stock could take a noticeable leap in an improved situation. Ball would take on greater scoring responsibility, while retaining his role as the offense’s primary ball-handler. With two co-stars and a plethora of perimeter shooters, he could overcome an inconsistent start to the season and hit his stride down the stretch of the year.

Why The Hornets Make The Trade

Dec 22, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel (7) dribbles the ball in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. | David Richard-Imagn Images

While Ball has brought his stardom to the Hornets, the team has struggled throughout his career, failing to reach the postseason in his first six seasons. Charlotte has pieced together a promising young wing duo of Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, two key contributors for the Hornets to build around as they establish an improved culture over the next several seasons. While he’s just 24 years old, I’m not confident Ball fits alongside this hypothetical new-look Hornets club, considering previous frustrations with the team.

Why The Heat Make The Trade

Apr 2, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) is congratulated by guard Tyler Herro (14) after making a basket during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. | Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Miami has sought a trade for a star player to help the team return to title contention, a billing that Ball fits perfectly. He presents a consistent floor general to help the Heat’s offense overcome a slow start to the season, ranking 20th in the NBA in defensive rating to this point of the season (114.8). I love Ball’s fit alongside the likes of Herro and Adebayo, taking pressure off the two All-Stars with consistent playmaking and versatile scoring ability. The Ball-led Heat would be set up for title contention over the next several years.