In his new column, “Only In Miami: Indicted, But On The Payroll,” Carl Hiaasen examines the case of Veldora Arthur — who made a six figure salary from the city of Miami while she sat at home and awaited trial for mortgage fraud.
More proof that Miami is the worst-run city in America:
Assistant Fire Chief Veldora Arthur was paid more than $120,000 to stay home and do nothing for seven months this year.
She wasn’t sick. She wasn’t agoraphobic.
She was under federal indictment for mortgage fraud.
On paper, Miami has a policy stating that non-union employees who face criminal charges should be placed on unpaid leave, or reassigned to another job. Arthur wasn’t reassigned, and she kept getting paid.
Between her indictment in February and her conviction in September, Arthur’s only duties were to stay inside her house from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and phone the office twice a day. She also got a one-hour lunch break.
This is uproariously humorous, unless you’re a Miami taxpayer.
