Florida City Mayor Arrested for Alleged EmbezzlementFlorida City Mayor Arrested for Alleged Embezzlement Florida City, FL – The mayor of Florida City has been arrested and charged with embezzlement of public funds. Mayor Otis Wallace Jr. was taken into custody on Friday, October 14, 2023, following an investigation by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. He is accused of misappropriating over $500,000 in city funds for personal use. According to the arrest affidavit, Wallace allegedly used city funds to pay for personal expenses, such as travel, meals, and entertainment. He is also accused of using city employees to perform work on his personal properties. State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said in a statement that Wallace’s alleged actions “violated the public trust and betrayed the people of Florida City.” “Elected officials have a duty to act in the best interests of their constituents, and when they break that trust, they must be held accountable,” Rundle said. Wallace was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and is being held on a $100,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Monday, October 16, 2023. The arrest of Wallace has sent shockwaves through the small city of Florida City. Residents expressed dismay and anger over the alleged corruption. “I can’t believe our mayor would do something like this,” said Maria Gonzalez, a lifelong resident. “He was supposed to look out for us, not use our money to line his own pockets.” The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) assisted in the investigation. The city has appointed Deputy Mayor Francois Decius as Acting Mayor while Wallace faces the charges.