Miami Beach Commission Approves the City’s First Inspector General

(Miami Beach, FL) Oct 16, 2019 -

Today, the Mayor and City Commission unanimously approved the appointment of Joseph M. Centorino to serve as the first Inspector General for the City of Miami Beach, and authorized the City Attorney to negotiate a contract of employment with Mr. Centorino.

“Joe brings many important competencies to this position as well as unquestioned ethics,” said Mayor Dan Gelber. “I believe he will elevate our City’s governance, and also provide greater efficiencies that protect taxpayer dollars.”

Most recently, Mr. Centorino was the Executive Director and General Counsel for the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust from 2011 to 2018. Prior to his tenure with the Ethics Commission, he served an Assistant State Attorney at the MiamiDade County State Attorney’s Office for 25 years, where he was Chief of the Public Corruption Division for more than 15 years. Mr. Centorino holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Political Science from Tufts University, and a Juris Doctor degree from Boston College Law School.

“Our Ad Hoc Inspector General Selection Committee voted unanimously to appoint Joe, and I couldn’t agree more with their choice,” added Commissioner Mark Samuelian. “I have full confidence that he possesses the integrity and independence to improve our city government, along with reducing waste and increasing accountability.”

On November 6, 2018, 81 percent of Miami Beach voters approved an amendment to the City Charter, which created the City of Miami Beach Office of Inspector General; established the functions of the office; provided the Inspector General with the power to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and require production of records, in order to conduct its investigations; and provided that the Inspector General’s appointment, term, functions, authority, and powers shall be further established by Ordinance.