Former Miami-Dade School Board member Lubby Navarro stood her ground in a Miami courtroom Friday, pleading not guilty to a slew of corruption charges. Accused of funnelling more than $100,000 of district dough into her own pockets, the ex-educational overseer didn’t flinch as she faced the possibility of lengthy state prison time.
Facing four counts including organized scheme to defraud, Navarro could be benched for up to 55 years, as reported by CBS Miami. The charges come after her alleged misuse of a school board-issued credit card – known colloquially as a "P Card" – which uncovered personal splurges that didn't make the grade.
Navarro's spending spree included vacations, gift cards, and swanky items for herself and her now ex-beau, according to court documents. Her spending saga continued until her resignation in December 2022 – one step ahead of a new Florida law aimed at lobbying by elected officials, WSVN reported.
The alleged tab, detailed in a hefty 91-page criminal complaint, also includes over $9,000 for jaunts abroad, including a mother-daughter trip to the Dominican Republic and a Sin City escapade with her then-boyfriend. Following her exit from the board, her unchecked credit card cavorting spurred an in-depth review by the superintendent's finance squad.
Her attorney said she will work to serve the community in a different way while this plays out in court, according to CBS Miami. Navarro remains on unpaid administrative leave from her position at the South Broward Hospital District amidst the ongoing probe into her financial escapades. Meanwhile, the court has penciled in April 22 for Navarro's day of reckoning.
