Alberto Gutman
Alberto Gutman (January 4, 1959 – February 16, 2019) was a Cuban-American politician. Born to a Jewish[1] family in Havana, Cuba, he moved to the United States when he was 6 years old.
Alberto Gutman | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Member of the Florida Senate from the 34th district | |
In office 1992–1999 | |
Preceded by | Lincoln Díaz-Balart |
Succeeded by | Alex Díaz de la Portilla |
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 105th district | |
In office 1984–1992 | |
Preceded by | Harold Spaet |
Succeeded by | Michael Abrams |
Personal details | |
Born | Havana, Cuba | January 4, 1959
Died | February 16, 2019 60) Miami, Florida, United States | (aged
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Marci Rabinowitz |
Children | 2 |
Alma mater | Miami Dade College (AA) University of Miami (BBA) |
![](../I/Florida_State_Legislators_Smoking_Cigars.jpg.webp)
![](../I/Florida_State_Senator_Alberto_Gutman_addressing_his_colleagues_in_the_Senate_chamber.jpg.webp)
![](../I/Father_Sergio_Carrillo_meets_with_members_of_Dade_County_delegation.jpg.webp)
Early life
He lived and went to school in Miami Beach, Florida.
He entered politics and became a member of the Republican Party. He was elected Member of Florida House of Representatives, 1984–92;[2] member of Florida Senate 34th District, 1992–99.[3]
He is a member of the Freemasons, B'nai B'rith, Phi Kappa Phi, and Phi Theta Kappa.[4]
He is married and has two daughters, one of whom is disabled.
Career
In 1992 he won his first election to the Florida Senate defeating Democrat Kendall Coffey.
Gutman accused his opponent in the 1998 senatorial election of using voodoo against him after Santería paraphernalia was tossed at him and scattered on his vehicle by his opponent's supporters; Gutman won the election.
Resignation and Conviction
He was indicted on 32 counts for benefiting from a fake health care company that he had set up to defraud Medicare of $15,000,000. Gutman then resigned his post as Chairman of the Florida Senate Health Care Committee over alleged improprieties in brokering a Medicaid health plan during his term as vice chairman of the committee.
He was charged with conspiracy, money laundering, and witness tampering. He was found guilty and sentenced to five years in prison with three year’s probation, ordered to pay victims $98,175 in restitution and fined $50,000. (1999)[5][6][7][8]
Electoral history
Date | Position | Status | Opponent | Result | Vote share | Top-opponent vote share |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1984 | State Representative | Incumbent | Harold W. Spaet (D) | Elected | 58.01%[10] | 41.99% |
1986 | State Representative | Incumbent | A. J. Daoud (D) | Re-elected | 63.40%[11] | 36.60% |
1988 | State Representative | Incumbent | Ran unopposed | Re-elected | 100.00%[12] | 0% |
1990 | State Representative | Incumbent | Steve Leifman (D) | Re-elected | 58.89%[13] | 41.11% |
1992 | State Senator | Open-seat | Kendall Coffey (D) | Elected | 56.68%[14] | 43.32% |
1994 | State Senator | Incumbent | Ran unopposed | Re-elected | 100.00%[15] | 0% |
1998 | State Senator | Incumbent | Agustin "Gus" Garcia (D) | Re-elected | 50.23%[16] | 49.77% |
References
- Ovalle, David (February 18, 2019). "Alberto Gutman, popular Miami state lawmaker who went to prison, dies at 60". Miami Herald. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
- "House of Representatives". 13 January 2018. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018.
- "Florida Senators". 13 January 2018. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018.
- https://www.flsenate.gov/UserContent/Publications/SenateHandbooks/pdf/96-98_Senate_Handbook.pdf
- http://articles.sun-sentinel.com, May 1, 2000, Tough Sentence For Corruption,
- politicalgraveyard.com | Politicians in Trouble or Disgrace: Florida |
- MIKE CLARY, TIMES STAFF WRITER (June 18, 1998). "Corruption Count Rising in Florida". latimes.com.
- The Associated Press (April 29, 2000). "Ex-Florida State Senator Gets 5 Years for Fraud". nytimes.com.
- Alberto Gutman-obituary
- "Our Campaigns - FL State House 105 Race - Nov 06, 1984". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- "Our Campaigns - FL State House 105 Race - Nov 04, 1986". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- "Our Campaigns - FL State House 105 Race - Nov 08, 1988". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- "Our Campaigns - FL State House 105 Race - Nov 06, 1990". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- "Our Campaigns - FL State Senate 34 Race - Nov 03, 1992". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- "Our Campaigns - FL State Senate 34 Race - Nov 08, 1994". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- "Our Campaigns - FL State Senate 34 Race - Nov 03, 1998". www.ourcampaigns.com.
External links
- Project Vote Smart – Alberto Gutman (FL) profile
- Our Campaigns – Alberto Gutman (FL) profile
- "Governors pledge to reach out and touch", Chuck Shepherd, Orlando Weekly, November 30, 1998.
- "All-American Al", BILL DURYEA, St. Petersburg Times, April 14, 2000
Florida House of Representatives | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Harold Spaet |
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 105th district 1984–1992 |
Succeeded by Michael Abrams |
Florida Senate | ||
Preceded by Lincoln Díaz-Balart |
Member of the Florida Senate from the 34th district 1992–1999 |
Succeeded by Alex Díaz de la Portilla |