Latest news with #Barreto
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Miami Herald
FWC chair, Miami-Dade State Attorney texted about Pino boat crash, records show
The head of the state agency that investigated the boat crash that killed a teenage girl texted the Miami-Dade State Attorney several times about the case as they were considering what charges to file against the boat operator, even though he said he was minimally involved in the investigation, according to text messages obtained by the Miami Herald. Rodney Barreto, chair of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle exchanged at least nine texts — mostly in the months after the September 2022 crash — according to the heavily redacted records. The Herald obtained the texts when it requested all discovery materials provided to the defense team of George Pino, 54, who has been charged with felony vessel homicide after slamming his 29-foot Robalo into a concrete marker in Biscayne Bay, leading to the death of 17-year-old Luciana 'Lucy' Fernandez. The State Attorney's Office told the Herald Wednesday night that the messages had been accidentally provided to the Herald and were not turned over in discovery. Texting months after the crash In the first message, dated March 14, 2023 — six months after the crash — Fernandez Rundle texted Barreto, 'May I call you today reference the boat accident?' 'OK,' Barreto responded after he and Fernandez Rundle agreed to speak in 25 minutes. Other parts of the text thread were redacted. Months later, on June 6, 2023, Barreto shared a text with Rundle that he had received from Lucy's father, Andres Fernandez. Fernandez was expressing his frustration with the FWC and State Attorney's Office for not concluding their investigation. By that point — nine months after the crash — Pino hadn't been charged with any crimes. 'It's been close to 3 months since FWC and SAO cancelled our meeting and my understanding was that it was not going to be a significant delay,' the Fernandez text said. 'I'm sorry to bother you with this but I'm really frustrated and out of patience. My family and I need this for closure and no one really cares. Would love to hear your thoughts.' Portions of the text thread were redacted. However, hours later, Barreto texted Fernandez Rundle again: 'Kathy, please call to discuss this.' Joel Denaro, the attorney for Andres and Melissa Fernandez, Lucy's mother, declined to comment on the texts. 'The Fernandez Family is not prepared to make a statement at this time because of the pending criminal litigation and because they need time to process what they are learning,' Denaro told the Herald. On Aug. 1, 2023, Fernandez Rundle texted Barreto, 'GM! Was trying to reach you regarding the boating case.' The other text messages were redacted. Later that month, the State Attorney's Office, working with the FWC, charged Pino with three counts of careless boating in the crash, criminal misdemeanors punishable by up to 60 days in jail for each count. READ MORE: Injured girl's family 'outraged' at minor charges in fatal Florida Keys boat crash probe On May 13, 2024, Barreto texted Fernandez Rundle again, 'He gave consent to remove props and dive the hull,' referencing Pino's consent to search his boat. Fernandez Rundle responded with a thumbs up. The rest of the exchange was redacted. The day after the crash, FWC investigators found 61 empty booze bottles and cans on the boat, which they had pulled from the water after it had capsized in the crash. Pino's attorney, Howard Srebnick, said the empty containers stemmed from five boats tied up that day on Elliott Key, but hasn't disclosed the boaters' names. In a statement Friday morning, the family of Katerina 'Katy' Puig, the now 20-year-old who was seriously injured and is still relearning how to walk after the crash, said they are 'forced to confront the deeply troubling reality that continues to emerge from the handing of this case. 'Katy's parents are still processing these painful recent revelations,' the statement said. 'Their sorrow continues to be compounded by shock, disbelief, and disgust. While we are relieved and grateful that Mr. Pino was finally charged with the appropriate felony—Vessel Homicide—the path to that charge has been littered with incompetence, misconduct and missteps that can only be described as a mockery of justice.' The family is calling on legislators to probe the FWC's investigation of the crash. Barreto: Involved in policy, not investigations On Wednesday, Barreto told the Herald that his involvement in the Pino probe was minimal and said his conversations with Fernandez Rundle mostly involved how the FWC and the State Attorney's Office could work together better on boat cases involving fatalities and serious injuries. At one point, Barreto said he brought FWC's leadership from Tallahassee to meet with Fernandez Rundle's office. Barreto had previously told the Herald his role at the FWC is policy making, not the law enforcement aspect of the agency. FWC police officers investigate boating accidents. 'I do not get in the way of these investigations,' Barreto told the Herald two weeks ago. 'We're gonna call it like it is. We've got no dog in this fight. It doesn't matter who these people are.' Last month, a video surfaced of Barreto speaking on a radio show weeks after the crash and acknowledging to the hosts that he knew Pino personally. Barreto told the Herald that he knows Pino, but not well, and has never spoken with him about the case. Barreto is a Coral Gables developer; Pino is a Doral real estate broker. READ MORE: State Senate confirms Barreto as FWC chair, despite dozens urging senators to block his bid Barreto said he talks to Fernandez Rundle often because they have known each other for decades, since he was a Miami police officer and Fernandez Rundle was a prosecutor under former State Attorney Janet Reno. 'Basically, I've known her my entire adult life,' Barreto said. Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office spokesperson Ed Griffith acknowledged the two have worked together often and said Barreto has also 'often lent the State Attorney his support and voice during the Florida Legislative session.' 'Years of interactions have made State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle and Chairman Rodney Barreto both friends and effective working associates, so I would naturally expect numerous conversations between the two on a wide range of issues and topics,' Griffith said in a statement to the Herald Wednesday. No sobriety test On the night of the crash, FWC investigators did not give Pino a sobriety test, even though they are trained to do so in boating accidents with serious injuries. Investigators on the scene knew that four of the 14 people on the boat were airlifted as trauma alert patients by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, including Lucy Fernandez, who died the next day in the hospital. In addition, Pino told FWC investigators on the scene that he had 'two beers' that day. The Pinos were celebrating their daughter's 18th birthday and she had invited 11 of her close girlfriends — all underage — to go on the Sept. 4, 2022, outing to Elliott Key in Biscayne Bay. The FWC has maintained it did not have probable cause to get a warrant to force Pino to take a sobriety test. But the FWC could have contacted the State Attorney's Office, which has a prosecutor on call 24/7 to help officers get a search warrant, arrest warrants and court orders in these types of cases. In fact, the second page of a State Attorney Office's slideshow for the FWC on vessel homicides gives the hotline number for the prosecutors. The FWC didn't call. READ MORE: How investigators, prosecutors bungled probe into boat crash that killed teen girl Missing FWC body camera footage In recent weeks, the Herald reported that John Dalton, a Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office detective who was on the scene of the crash, said in a deposition that he suggested that FWC officers test Pino for alcohol that night. 'Well, yes. Obviously, you can do a blood draw,' Dalton told one of the FWC officers on the scene, according to the testimony he gave to a Pino attorney and prosecutor. 'I mean, [Pino's] involved in a crash that has potential for a fatality or serious bodily injury. You can force a blood draw on him with a warrant. And you can take one right now, with exigent circumstances. You have fire-rescue here. It's something you might be able to do right now.' READ MORE: Miami-Dade cop suggested FWC should do alcohol test at Pino boat crash scene, testimony shows The Herald also reported that the body camera footage of four FWC officers who were in close proximity to Pino that night — Julien Gazzola, Keith Hernandez, Hanna Hayden and Jesse Whitt — was deleted. Gazzola told an attorney for Pino that Pino smelled of alcohol, had 'bloodshot eyes' and was disoriented. None of the officers, aside from Gazzola, reported seeing signs that Pino was impaired. The FWC says the officers' footage was deleted after the officers classified it as 'incidental,' not criminal, when they uploaded it into the FWC's computer system. 'Incidental' footage is automatically deleted after 90 days; footage from a criminal investigation has to be retained five years for misdemeanor charges and 13 years for a felony charge, according to the FWC's policy. Rep. Vicki Lopez, the Miami-Dade state House member who sponsored 'Lucy's Law,' which calls for tougher penalties for boat operators in crashes with serious injury starting July 1, has called on her colleagues in the Legislature to investigate how the officers' footage was deleted. Pino was initially charged with three misdemeanors but those charges were upgraded to a felony vessel homicide charge on Oct. 31. The State Attorney's Office reopened its investigation after a Miami-Dade firefighter at the scene came forward and said he observed Pino showing signs of intoxication that day. The firefighter spoke up following a series of Miami Herald articles detailing flaws in the investigation, including FWC officers never following up with eyewitnesses. Pino has pleaded not guilty and is tentatively scheduled to stand trial in September. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
News18
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Sameera Reddy's Fitness Coach Reveals Her Tailored Fat Loss Program
Last Updated: Sameera Reddy's fitness coach, Ashwyn Michael Barreto, talked in detail about the training program, including her 'no-fad' diet. Sameera Reddy, known for her roles in films such as Maine Dil Tujhko Diya, Race and Musafir, had an incredible weight loss journey. The actress has never stopped documenting her journey on social media, from weighing over 90 kg to shedding kilos within a few years and living a healthy life. Wondering what helped her through this process? According to her fitness coach, Ashwyn Michael Barreto, she follows a very meticulously tailored programme based on her body's needs. In a candid conversation, Sameera Reddy 's fitness coach, Ashwyn Michael Barreto, CEO and co-founder of ThatLifestyleCoach (TLC) in Goa, revealed that the actress initially took part in various rigorous training programmes. However, they were not meeting her body's demands. She turned to professional training programmes that boosted her resilience, energy, and confidence. 'Sameera and I began working together when she realised her previous approaches—like Pilates, yoga, and running—weren't delivering the results she hoped for. Despite her consistent, rigorous training, she struggled with fat loss and felt frustrated. That's when she sought professional help instead of continuing on her own," Barreto told the Indian Express. Barreto revealed that his structured wellness programme, which worked for Sameera's body since 2022, was made after assessing her age, lifestyle, past training history, dietary methods, and hormonal challenges. 'Sameera's programme is tailored to her energy levels and her history of stiffness and fat retention," he added. During the initial four weeks, the diva focused on mastering movement patterns, establishing proper form and technique to practise those movements regularly, boosting proprioception (body awareness), enhancing joint stability and mobility, and nurturing healthy eating habits in her lifestyle. He shared, 'Weeks five to eight transitioned into strength and hypertrophy (muscle growth), with progressive overload and a protein-rich diet to support recovery and lean muscle development." By the ninth week, the routine led to changes in her body, including improved muscle tone and posture and noticeable fat loss. Talking about her training programme, Barreto mentioned that it includes- Strength buildup three times per week through exercises such as deadlifts, squats, TRX rows, and presses that focus on the whole body and core. High-energy functional interval training once every week, concentrating on core stability and full-body agility. Daily work on mobility and flexibility to improve posture and prevent injuries. Low-impact cardio rather than high-impact moves like jumping and sprinting. The workout focused heavily on unilateral stability in the first month. Key Aspects Of Sameera's Diet Barreto shared, 'Like you may have guessed, Sameera follows a high-protein, high-fibre, and balanced nutrition plan to support her training and recovery," adding, 'We've also tailored her plan to include supplements based on her blood work to address specific deficiencies." 'Her nutrition is designed to be sustainable, such that it is built around real, whole foods rather than short-term fixes. It is adjusted based on activity levels, hormonal health, and recovery, and flexible such that nothing is entirely off-limits unless it's ultra-processed and devoid of nutritional value," said the fitness coach. He mentioned that earlier, Reddy tried cutting out carbs like rice, bread and all-purpose flour from her diet, but these turned out counterproductive for her energy levels and overall progress. 'We encourage mindful eating, not a reward-restriction cycle. She enjoys all foods in moderation, with portion control, and avoids unnecessary ultra-processed foods," Barreto elaborated. According to Barreto, her 'no-fad' diet includes – Lean proteins like chicken, fish, eggs, paneer, and tofu for muscle recovery and strength. Complex carbohydrates like quinoa, brown rice, and sweet potatoes to fuel her intensive exercises. Healthy fats like nuts, seeds, and avocado to maintain a balance of hormones and reduce inflammation. Antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory foods to manage oxidative stress and elevated cortisol levels. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : health and fitness lifestyle Sameera Reddy Weight Loss Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: May 05, 2025, 13:29 IST News lifestyle » health-and-fitness Sameera Reddy's Fitness Coach Reveals Her Tailored Fat Loss Program
Indian Express
02-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Sameera Reddy's fitness coach Ashwyn Barreto reveals her lifestyle, fitness, and diet routine: ‘Despite her consistent, rigorous training, she struggled with fat loss''
When Sameera Reddy, 46, decided to pull the plug on her 'unfit' lifestyle, she turned to fitness coach Ashwyn Michael Barreto. 'Sameera and I began working together when she realised her previous approaches—like Pilates, yoga, and running—weren't delivering the results she hoped for. Despite her consistent, rigorous training, she struggled with fat loss and felt frustrated. That's when she sought professional help instead of continuing on her own,' Barreto, CEO and co-founder of ThatLifestyleCoach (TLC) in Goa, told A mutual connection suggested she work with someone who could take a scientific approach, considering her age, lifestyle, and past challenges. 'When we first met, we assessed her training history, dietary methods, lifestyle, and hormonal changes. Then we built a structured programme that worked with her body, not against it,' said Barreto, 28. Barreto's own fitness journey began in 2013, when he walked into a gym as a skinny teenager. 'That was the start of my understanding of strength, movement, and performance. Over time, I realised fitness isn't just about aesthetics, it's about resilience, energy, and confidence.' He founded TLC in 2021 as a personal training brand and expanded it to corporate wellness in 2022. What does Sameera Reddy's fitness routine look like? According to Barreto, 'Sameera's programme is tailored to her energy levels and her history of stiffness and fat retention.' The first four weeks focused on learning movement patterns, building solid form and technique, improving proprioception (body awareness), joint stability and mobility, and cultivating healthy eating habits. 'Weeks five to eight transitioned into strength and hypertrophy (muscle growth), with progressive overload and a protein-rich diet to support recovery and lean muscle development,' he said. By the ninth week, visible changes included improved muscle tone, better posture, and noticeable fat loss. Training breakdown: Strength training (3x per week) – Focuses on compound movements that engage the whole body and core, including deadlifts, squats, TRX rows, and presses. Functional interval training (1x per week) – Strength training alone can sometimes make the body feel sluggish. 'So, we incorporated one day of high-energy interval training designed to enhance body awareness (proprioception), core stability, and full-body agility across all planes of movement,' said Barreto. Mobility and flexibility work – Daily as movement prep to improve posture and prevent injuries (primarily on rest days). Adjustments based on past issues: Reddy had stiffness in her shoulders and hips and left-right imbalances. 'We focused heavily on unilateral stability in the first month to restore symmetry,' said Barreto. Low-impact cardio focus: High-impact moves, such as jumping and sprinting, were avoided. 'Instead, the team included moderate-intensity activities such as agility ladder drills and treadmill jogging to boost endurance without stressing the joints,' he said. What's her diet like? 'Like you may have guessed, Sameera follows a high-protein, high-fibre, and balanced nutrition plan to support her training and recovery,' said Barreto. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sameera Reddy (@reddysameera) Key aspects of her diet: Lean proteins: Chicken, fish, eggs, paneer, tofu, to support muscle recovery and strength. Complex carbohydrates: Quinoa, brown rice, and sweet potatoes to fuel her workouts. Healthy fats: Nuts, seeds, and avocado to balance hormones and reduce inflammation. Antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory foods: To manage oxidative stress and elevated cortisol levels. 'We've also tailored her plan to include supplements based on her blood work to address specific deficiencies,' said Barreto. Reddy isn't following a 'fad' diet or extreme restrictions. 'Instead, her nutrition is designed to be sustainable, such that it is built around real, whole foods rather than short-term fixes. It is adjusted based on activity levels, hormonal health, and recovery, and flexible such that nothing is entirely off-limits unless it's ultra-processed and devoid of nutritional value,' said Barreto. She had previously tried cutting out carbs (such as rice, bread, and maida) and not eating after 7 PM, but the trainer found that these restrictive approaches were counterproductive to her energy levels and overall progress. What's working for her? According to Barreto, the focus is on hormonal stability, joint health, and recovery, with movements that protect and improve joint function. Here's what to note (/Thinkstock) No workouts on an empty stomach: To ensure proper fuelling and sustained energy. Adequate rest between sets: Allows focus on technique, reducing injury risk. No 'cheat meal' mindset: 'We encourage mindful eating, not a reward-restriction cycle. She enjoys all foods in moderation, with portion control, and avoids unnecessary ultra-processed foods.' Barreto also pointed out that Reddy experiences skin breakouts when her diet slips. 'So we've worked on identifying and eliminating what doesn't suit her body,' he said. Praising Reddy's mindset and willpower, Barreto said she approaches fitness with an unwavering determination, and once she commits to something, she gives it her all. 'She is committed to long-term progress, not quick fixes. She is open to learning and adapting, and takes accountability for her efforts,' he said, adding unlike those seeking shortcuts, Reddy understands the power of consistency and structure, and embraces the process fully.
Miami Herald
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
State Senate confirms Barreto as FWC chair, despite dozens urging senators to block his bid
The state Senate voted to reconfirm Rodney Barreto as chair of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Tuesday afternoon, despite receiving dozens of emails urging lawmakers to reject his appointment due to the agency's environmental record and how it handled the investigation of a 17-year-old girl who died in boat crash in Biscayne Bay. The vote to put Barreto, 67, an influential Miami-Dade developer and lobbyist, back in charge of the FWC passed 31 to 7. He has been FWC chair for more than 20 years. His confirmation was pulled from a list of 189 other people Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed to several offices, boards and commissions by Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, an Orlando Democrat, who cited the emails opposing Barreto. The emails criticized Barreto's record on weighing development and conservation, as well as his oversight of the investigation into a fatal Biscayne Bay boat crash in September 2022 that killed our Lady of Lourdes student and left another with permanent physical and mental disabilities. A Miami Herald investigation into the FWC's handling of the investigation led the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office to reevaluate its initial misdemeanor charges against the boat operator, Doral real estate broker George Pino, and charge him with felony vessel homicide, potentially landing him in state prison for 15 years. The Herald's investigation into how the FWC conducted its probe uncovered that investigators never followed up with witnesses in the immediate aftermath of the crash whose accounts conflicted with what Pino told the officers. Nor did the agency give Pino a sobriety test the night of the crash, despite him acknowledging to officers he had been drinking. The Herald's investigation led to another key witness coming forward and subsequently, the State Attorney's Office reopening its investigation and charging Pino with the felony. READ MORE: Senate committee recommends Barreto as FWC chair despite environmental, boat crash concerns Nevertheless, Barreto, in a recent email following a Herald story that revealed how body camera footage from one of the FWC officers at the scene was deleted, blasted the Herald's coverage as containing 'clickbait headlines and a misleading narrative that omits key details and lacks context and nuance.' The Miami Herald has been copied on more than 50 emails from people urging senators to oppose Barreto's confirmation. Before the confirmation, Sen. Smith said his and other senators' inboxes were 'blown up by constituents with legitimate concerns about [Barreto's] confirmation that we should not ignore,' including how the FWC handled the Pino investigation. This is a developing story and will be updated.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Florida wildlife commission chair denies trying to build destructive project he tried to build
A manatee greets kayakers paddling near the property Rodney Barreto owns on Lake Worth. (Photo by Reinaldo Diaz of Lake Worth Waterkeeper) There used to be a TV game show called 'To Tell the Truth.' It ran from 1956 to 1968, then was revived in syndication in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s. Then, because network TV executives seldom have new ideas, ABC brought it back in 2016 for a six-year revival. We'll probably see it again in the next decade. The game worked like this: Three contestants would all claim to be the same person. Two were impostors willing to lie up a storm, while the real one was required to tell the truth. The celebrity panel had to guess which was which. I thought of that old game show the other day while watching the Florida Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources run a confirmation hearing. In the hot seat: the sitting chairman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Rodney Barreto. Over the past 20 years, Barreto has been appointed to the commission by three different governors — Jeb Bush, Charlie Crist, and Ron DeSantis — which suggests governors are as unoriginal as network execs. This was Barreto's fourth confirmation hearing, and by far the roughest, because mobs of people contacted the senators to urge them to reject him. After Barreto swore to tell the truth, senators asked him about the objections people had raised. Some were angry that he voted to allow a toll road to be built through a Central Florida preserve. Some were upset about the wildlife commission's push for another bear hunt. Others were mad about his advocacy of the purposely misleading Amendment 2. But there was one exchange that I found particularly fascinating. Barreto makes his living as a developer and lobbyist. Sen. Gayle Harrell asked him if he was trying to build condominiums on submerged land on Singer Island in Palm Beach County. Barreto acknowledged that he owns property there but swore he wasn't trying to build anything. 'I don't know who's telling you that I'm building condos there,' he testified. 'There's not one application in front of any governing body.' When Harrell asked him if he'd ever tried to build on his submerged land, he told her, 'Never.' Then he stood there defiantly, as if about to break into the Eurythmics song 'Would I Lie To You?' The committee moved on. I regret to report that nobody brought up the fact that, in 2021, the Palm Beach Post ran a story about Barreto headlined, 'Top Florida wildlife official wants to fill, build on lagoon where turtles, manatees roam.' 'Florida's top appointed protector of wildlife wants to make millions by dredging up and filling in acres of the wildlife-filled Lake Worth Lagoon,' the story begins. 'Rodney Barreto … is pressing legal action to let his company fill, dredge and build hundreds of condos and houses on mostly submerged land off Singer Island.' Maybe he didn't intend to say something so blatantly untrue while he was under oath. Maybe he's just so busy developing land that he forgot about this one controversial project. Others offered a different theory. 'He's just used to getting his way,' said Lesley Blackner, a Stuart attorney and longtime foe of Florida sprawl who testified against Barreto. 'And not being questioned.' Barreto isn't some clueless outsider who's swooped in to destroy Florida's environment. He's from here. 'When I grew up in Miami,' he told the Senate committee, 'I hunted in the Everglades and went fishing in Biscayne Bay. … It was the best time of my life.' Now he's a millionaire who owns property in four states, chaired the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee three times, and routinely hobnobs with well-known politicians, raising beaucoup bucks for them and their causes. 'I'm in the business of making money,' he told the senators. This is not how the wildlife commission started in 1998. Back then, the commissioners included a wildlife biologist, a dentist, a cattle rancher, an insurance executive, a charter boat captain, a retired sheriff, and a defense attorney. The difference, I think, is that the governor who appointed that first board, Lawton Chiles, limited his campaign contributions to $100 maximum. Now the appointees are all big-money boys reaping the benefits of being major contributors to the governor. 'It's all quid pro quo now,' Blackner said. The problem with filling the board with campaign contributors in the real estate and development business, though, is that they're likely to have projects that conflict with the mission of the commission. Take the project Sen. Harrell asked Barreto about. He bought his property in 2016 for $425,000. Two years later, under the name of a company run by Barreto and his wife called Government Lot 1 LLC, he filed an application to build 330 condos, 15 single family homes, 30 boat slips, and a 50-slip marina with a restaurant and community center. To build this would require dumping fill in 12 acres of submerged land and dredging 4 acres of the submerged property. This is a style of destructive development we seldom see in Florida anymore. The place where it would be built, by the way, is adjacent to John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, which Reinaldo Diaz, of Lake Worth Waterkeeper, calls 'one of the best state parks in the state.' As for the property Barreto wanted to develop, it has 'the highest density of juvenile sea turtles in at least the east coast of Florida,' Diaz told me. 'Nearby is the only significant horseshoe crab nesting site I've found in the Lake Worth Lagoon' That spot is so full of wildlife, he said, because Barreto's property consists of 'nothing but seagrass and a strip of mangroves.' Until about 50 years ago, Florida developers believed the best way to build a new waterfront subdivision was to do what Barreto was proposing: Create new land out of water. They would dump fill on the submerged property, turning water into dry land, meanwhile burying mangroves and seagrass aucods galore. In St. Petersburg, for instance, so many developers had built dredge-and-fill subdivisions on Boca Ciega Bay by 1957 that Gov. LeRoy Collins quipped, 'Pretty soon, we're going to have to drill to find water here.' When Congress passed the Clean Water Act in 1972, the new Environmental Protection Agency used it to stop a harmful dredge-and-fill project in Florida. Harbor Isles was to be built on the edge of Tampa Bay by using 1.3 million cubic yards of fill dirt to create 281 acres of dry land. It would destroy what biologists called 'a rich estuarine area.' The EPA won that case. Then it won seven more in the Florida Keys, laying the groundwork for ending such destructive development, not just in Florida but nationwide. Because Barreto's development project was a throwback to the bad old days, it did not get a warm reception from the state. One of the agencies to which he applied for a permit, the South Florida Water Management District, sent back a 17-page letter that basically said, 'Dude, you have GOT to be kidding.' Noting the serious impact on 'an unknown amount of open water, submerged bottom, mangrove and seagrass habitats,' the staff wrote that they had 'considerable concerns' and would likely say no. Barreto withdrew the application — but he was far from done with the project. For the next step, he basically tried to resurrect the dead. Despite the Clean Water Act, some would-be developers had already secured permits for using the old-fashioned building method. Government officials had to negotiate a way to stop them. The settlements they worked out made sure that kind of rampant destruction faded. In 2020, Barreto filed a legal motion to reopen one of those old cases. He asked the court to revive this long-settled matter so his Singer Island project could be declared exempt from modern environmental regulations and he could proceed to build. He joined with two other owners of submerged property to legally object to the Riviera Beach commissioners rezoning their land for preservation. That would prevent their development plans, they argued. These efforts backfired when the Palm Beach Post reported that the lead defender of Florida's wildlife was also the guy trying to destroy a bunch of it. A public uproar ensued. People demanded he either drop his development plans or resign. 'It's not just any part of the lagoon, it is absolutely the best part, in terms of its environment,' Lisa Interlandi of the Everglades Law Center said during an FWC board meeting at the time. To quiet everyone down, Barreto dismissed his legal challenges and told the Miami Herald he would immediately sell the property. However, it appears that his promise to sell the land was another — oh, what's that word that's the opposite of 'true?' It's right on the tip of my tongue. Rather than sell the land, Barreto's corporation hung onto it. He still owns it. He testified to the Senate committee that his only plan was to use it as 'mitigation' to make up for someone else's mangrove-destroying development plans. But a more recent Barreto lawsuit tells a different story. Last year, Barreto's corporation sued Riviera Beach over the property. Barreto contended that by rezoning the land so it could not be developed, the commissioners had in effect taken it from him and he demanded to be paid. That lawsuit is still pending. I contacted Interlandi about all this. She told me: 'The last thing Florida's submerged lands need is people trying to get rich off them. I think this is a great opportunity to pivot and focus on land conservation, not land development.' I tried to contact Barreto to ask him about that. I should warn you that this is where the story gets weird. I have interviewed Barreto several times in the past. For some reason, he didn't return my calls this week. Probably too busy raising money for DeSantis' new foundation, 'Hope Florida Doesn't Find Out.' Instead, to my surprise, I heard from someone who claimed to be Barreto's partner in owning the submerged land. And it wasn't his wife. His name is Glenn Larson. He's president of a Miami company called Dock & Marine Construction that's been around since 1959. Larson told me he'd known Barreto ever since the future mover-and-shaker was a police officer. He said he also built the Barretos' backyard docks. This is the one and only time they've been partners in anything, Larson told me. He just happened to bump into Barreto while he was considering buying the submerged land and Barreto agreed to join forces with him, Larson said. Barreto didn't mention him to the Senate committee and Larson's name doesn't appear anywhere in the property records. I asked him if he had any paperwork to show he's a partner. 'I'm the half-owner, but when they recorded the deed, they left my name off of it,' he told me. In other words, no. The attorney who filed the deed was going to correct that oversight, he said. But that's when Larson — not Barreto! — filed the application to build all those houses and condos on the property, he said. 'I kind of messed him up,' Larson told me. When the water district sent back that letter with all the conditions, he told me, 'Rodney called me and said, 'What the hell are you doing, man?' So, I withdrew it.' Larson insisted that Barreto had no knowledge of the development plans, and that's why his answers to Sen. Harrell were not perjury. Hang on a second, I said. The signature on the permit application looks like Barreto's, not yours. You're just listed as a contractor. He acknowledged that Barreto did sign the permit application. 'I probably went and left the paperwork at his house to get his signature,' Larson said. 'But he didn't know what I was doing.' I find it hard to believe Barreto, a hard-headed businessman if ever there was one, would sign any document without reading it. Anyway, despite all the people who urged them to kick Barreto to the curb, the Senate committee voted 8-1 to confirm him for another term as a wildlife commissioner. Even Sen. Harrell voted for him. Barreto has yet to appear before his second and final Senate hearing, this time with the Ethics and Elections Committee. The hearing hasn't been scheduled yet, so he's got some time to consider what answers he'll give. I promise we can handle the truth. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
