FWC Chair evades responsibility after criticism of deadly boat crash investigation

Miami Herald

23-06-2025

FWC failure
Re: Rodney Barreto's June 22 op-ed, 'Herald misrepresented 2022 boating tragedy investigation.' As head of the FWC, Barreto has a vested interest in downplaying his agency's malfeasance in this investigation. If it looks bad, which it does, then he looks bad, which he does.
While Barreto is correct that reasonable suspicion is required to forcibly draw blood from a boating under the influence suspect, he wrongfully argues reasonable suspicion did not exist. Pino's admission to drinking plus the accident creates reasonable suspicion. Pino was given every benefit of the doubt, when he should have been treated as a suspect.
I have prosecuted many DUIs in Miami. Any police officer, under similar circumstances, would have conducted a DUI investigation, made an arrest and forcibly drawn blood.
The FWC is a law enforcement agency, basically Florida Highway Patrol on boats, with officers trained to suspect first and err on the side of gathering evidence.
Had this not been a wealthy man with political connections, blood would have been drawn and body cam footage would not have been deleted.
Statistically, it is impossible for four presumably well-trained FWC police officers to make the same mistake. Each one should lose their law enforcement certification and be fired, if what Barreto says is true.
Barreto only writes to deflect criticism and make himself look better.
I hope these families will get the justice they deserve. As a father of four, I am devastated for these families, even Pino, who will carry this with him to his grave. No matter what he says or how many times he shakes his fist in court as a show of defiance, his exceptionally poor decision-making destroyed lives and he should feel it forever.
Barreto's op-ed shows that he is merely trying to put some type of shine on his stewardship of FWC. He will continue to obfuscate, hide the ball and otherwise avoid responsibility for his department's — and his own — failings.
Michael Galex,
Coral Gables
Ego decision
President Donald Trump said he would take two weeks to determine whether to involve our country in the Iran-Israel conflict. The decision would be based on whether the U.S. would use its heavy weaponry against Iran's deep bunker complex.
One might think Trump's decision-making would include an in-depth analysis with persons familiar with the intricacies of Middle East dynamics, but that is not how he works. His process is a self-determination of how the decision will affect him personally, politically and financially and how it will affect his family's business dealings.
He has no regard for the welfare of the people of that region nor for our troops stationed in the region.
John Falcone,
Palmetto Bay
No Hope
Over the years, many of us have donated time and money to nonprofit organizations like the United Way and Dream Come True. We've done so with pleasure, as Americans are very generous.
Hopefully, not too many people were mislead and deceived into giving assistance to the Hope Florida charity where money seems to have gone to shady politicians, golf outings, cocktails and dinners.
Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration should be ashamed for what they have done to a program that, at one time, had real potential for doing something good.
John Bonano,
Gulfport
Bombed in Iran
President Trump campaigned on ending all wars — only to get us into a mess with Iran five months later. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu played him like a fiddle to achieve his purpose.
Was America under immediate threat to start a war without Congressional approval, as the Constitution demands?
What's the end game now? Another 20 years of war? Is there an exit plan? What does victory look like?
Who feels safer today than six months ago?
Mayra Gallor,
West Kendall
Undeserved prize
Pakistan has announced it will nominate President Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize. Seven years ago, 18 Republican senators nominated Trump for that honor. That proposition, which didn't get much steam or any welcome from the awarding body, did not make much sense then and makes even less sense now.
The president has failed miserably to achieve his campaign promise to end the war between Russia and Ukraine in 24 hours, let alone in the five months since his inauguration. Likewise, his assurance that he would bring about an end to the Israeli-Gaza conflict also has not materialized. Now, he threatens to go to war with Iran, in aid of Israel.
Trump also has unleashed the military to engage in domestic policing in Los Angeles, an unnecessary incursion that frighteningly bodes more of the same domestically.
With that record, Trump deserves a Peace Prize about as much as Miami's favorite son, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, merits an international humanitarian award for eliminating American foreign aid.
Marshall H. Tanick,
Naples
Our flag
I want my American flag back! I'm sick of the Republican Party, which has co-opted the flag as if it's their personal emblem. It is not theirs alone; it belongs to all Americans.
I come from a family of military heroes (World War II and Vietnam era), who fought for all Americans. We flew the flag proudly at home as a symbol of our belief in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the right of all Americans to be respected. With a heavy heart, I took down my flag at home some years ago. I didn't want to be identified with a vengeful right-wing party.
It's time we all flew the flag — not just those of one party.
Peg Evans,
Biscayne Park
End this drama
I am so tired of reading complaints about the re-do of the Coconut Grove Playhouse. In a recent plaint, a writer referred to the new space as a 'tiny 300-seat' theater.
Many public hearings took place over many years. As an attendee, I can say that all concerns were listened to, all issues were thoroughly discussed, analyzed, vetted and voted on all the way from the county to the state legislature, to the Miami City Commission and historic preservation boards.
The 300-seat plan is in line with other regional theaters, which is what the Playhouse is becoming. Larger venues exist at the Arsht Center and in the north and south ends of Miami-Dade County. The ball is finally rolling on what will be a wonderful revitalization of the Playhouse. Enough already!
Sylvan Seidenman,
Stone Mountain, GA
Status indicator
The headline in the June 11 Miami Herald online story, 'Should non-citizens be concerned about major sporting events when ICE and CBP are assisting with security?' should be reworded to, 'Should illegals be concerned....'
As a retired immigration service officer, I can say that legal residents are not citizens, yet they have legal status.
James Oberstein,
Kendall
Business challenge
Small businesses are essential to communities throughout the nation, yet many fail without financial support. Major corporations often receive bailouts when facing financial difficulties. Small businesses, however, continue to struggle with rising costs, disrupted supply chains, surging inflation and rising tariffs. Owners often face credit issues, evictions and rejections from banks, which consider them high risk. The harshest consequence is a 'Closed' sign on the door.
As a small business owner and retired U.S. Army veteran, I am angry. Small businesses are the foundation of the economy. Don't weaken us.
Ansilla James,
Coral Springs
Same outcome
Will anybody tell the president that a 35% taxation on money sent from immigrants to their countries of origin will add more poverty there, hence more immigration here?
Valeria Mastelli,
Key Biscayne