Published Nov. 18|Updated Nov. 18
Frank Artiles, a former Marine and Republican state senator convicted last month of orchestrating a ghost candidate scheme that likely stole an election from a Democrat, was sentenced Monday to 60 days in jail, five years of probation and 500 hours of community service.
But it will be a while — if ever — before Artiles, 51, spends time behind bars or begins mentoring military veterans as part of his community work. That’s because afterMiami-Dade Circuit JudgeMiguel de la Oread the sentence, he also agreed to stay the order until after the defense appeals the verdict with the higher court.
The judge’s order also forbids the former legislator from future work in thepolitical realm. In a prepared statement read at the conclusion of the sentencing, de la O said he agreed with the jury’s verdict, but refused to let politics play into his sentencing decision.
“I think our tribal, poisoned politics got the better ofMr. Artilesand he lost sight of right and wrong. Although the money was nice, I suspect the rush of beating the other side was also motivation,” said de la O, who also told Artiles he can no longer participate in politics other than voting. “No consulting, no fundraising, nothing.”
Artiles and family members left quickly without speaking to the media. Outside the courtroom, defense attorneyJose Quinonsaid it’s been a tough four years for the former legislator’s family, who have had to endure a “barrage” of publicity.
“He’s been punished quite a lot,” Quinon said.
Lead state prosecutorTim VanderGiesenand co-counselWilliam Gonzalez, who secured conviction at the end of a two-week trial in October, left quickly and quietly after the sentencing. Defense attorneys promised an appeal.
Legislative career ends abruptly
Artiles, who has shaped political campaigns as a lobbyist and consultant since his legislative career came to an abrupt halt in 2017, was foundguilty last monthof campaign finance violations in a case built around political operatives and a “ghost candidate” who likely tipped a tight election.
During the two-week trial, VanderGiesen, theMiami-Dadeassistant state attorney, told jurors how a shadowy but powerfulRepublican Partyoperative reached out to Artiles for help in the 2020 race for the District 37Senateseat, which at the time covered a large swath ofMiami-Dade CountyfromMiami Beachsouth throughPalmetto BayandCutler Bay.
Jurors were also told how Artiles was the architect of a plan to run and promote a machine parts salesperson namedAlexis Rodriguezas a third-party candidate in the 2020 race in order to siphon votes from the Democratic front-runner who shared his last name,Jose Javier Rodriguez.
The plan worked andIleana Garcia, a former Spanish radio host and founder of Latinas for Trump, defeatedJose Javier Rodriguezby 32 votes.Alexis Rodriguez— running as an independent on the same platform as the Democrat — was promised $50,000 by Artiles and garnered more than 6,000 votes.
Alexis Rodriguez’s payday came in various forms, jurors were told. He received four payments totaling $22,000 in cash and another $22,000 through tuition payments for his daughter, money alleged to be going to the purchase of a truck for Artiles’ daughter and reimbursements.
In total, the state saidAlexis Rodriguezcollected $44,708.03 in cash and gifts. Artiles was paid $90,000 to help winMiami-Daderaces by Data Targeting founderPatrick Bainter, the man who hired him and a top consultant for Florida’sSenate Republicans. Bainter deposited another $100,000 in a political action committee associated with Artiles.
Defense attorneys portrayedAlexis Rodriguezas acon man and an opportunistwho saw dollar signs after being contacted by Artiles, and who tried to milk the former senator for all he could.
Officially, Artiles was found guilty of excessive campaign contributions, conspiracy to commit excessive contributions and falsely swearing an oath, all felonies that could have carried five-year sentences. He was cleared of a fourth charge, aiding a false registration. He is married and has two daughters.
Artiles served three terms in theFlorida Housebefore winning aSenateseat in 2016. But his senate term unraveled quickly a year later, when he resigned after being accused of using racial slurs and uttering profanities while talking to a group of Black elected leaders in aTallahasseebar.
Defeated Democrat fears slap on wrist
Monday’s hearing began with statements fromJose Javier Rodriguez, who now serves as assistant secretary for theLabor DepartmentinWashington. Rodriguez served two terms as a state House member and was elected to his stateSenateseat in 2016 before his stunning loss four years later.
The assistant labor secretary said his camp was unaware of the Republican plot to steal his seat until late in the race, not long afterAlexis Rodriguezqualified. That’s when,Javier Rodriguezsaid, $300,000 worth of flyers supporting the independent candidate who shared his platform began showing up districtwide.
Asked if he believed the plan unraveled his chances at winning,Jose Javier Rodriguezsaid, “Yes, I do.”
“It’s not with a great deal of joy that I’m here. But I think it’s extremely important because theTallahasseepower brokers seem to keep getting away with it,” he said. “My fear is that a slap on the wrist will not have a deterrent effect.”
Speaking on behalf of her husband,Aimee Artilesfought to hold back tears as she explained what a loving and wonderful father her husband of 23 years is to their two daughters and how he’s been “vilified by the media.”
“Our family has been under a dark cloud for the past four years,” she said.
Though an appeals court date is a long way off, de la O scheduled a status update on the case in his courtroom forDec. 18.
