Oliver Gilbert, the Miami-Dade County commissioner who is U.S. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson’s heir apparent, steered roughly $3.2 million in taxpayer funds to a murky nonprofit youth sports league run by one of his top county aides.
With little oversight, transparency or discussion, the Miami-Dade County Commission approved 28 requests by Gilbert between 2023 and March of this year to provide Miami-based FYFL United with money for services that are vaguely described in commission records as “community support and outreach,” “spring break trip,” “summer youth internships” and “laptop giveaway event.”
The FYFL then redirected the funds to Gilbert’s pet projects. For instance, requests labeled as “spring break trip” funded all expenses paid excursions led by Gilbert himself to fly dozens of high school students to historical sites in various cities, including Washington, D.C…