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- NATION, Page 53American NotesCORRUPTIONReal-Life Miami Vice
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- Alex Daoud was the perfect mayor for Miami Beach. Tall, dark
- and amiable, he once played a bit part on the TV show Miami Vice.
- A dominant force in Beach politics for 12 years, Daoud also
- played a part in the area's comeback as an Art Deco district.
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- But Daoud's life may have imitated art a little too
- closely. The 47-year-old mayor was charged last week in a
- 41-count indictment with extorting money and services in
- exchange for official favors. Federal prosecutors claim that he
- tapped developers, architects and unions. His most serious
- offense was an alleged demand of $35,000 from David Paul, former
- chairman of CenTrust Savings Bank, in return for approval to
- build a private dock at Paul's home on La Gorce Island. Daoud,
- who professes his innocence, is the third mayor in Dade County
- to be indicted or convicted for corruption in two years.
- Although he already planned to step down later this month, Daoud
- was immediately suspended from office by Governor Lawton Chiles.
- He faces a prison term and fines of up to $12.7 million in cash
- and property.
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