Dont ComplyReason reports that the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office seized $45 million from 16 mobile phone businesses in August 2025 as part of an investigation into an alleged money laundering scheme, and that the forfeiture cases were handled by the private firm of Israel Reyes rather than the sheriff's counsel or the state attorney's office. According to court documents cited by Reyes' agreement with the office, the firm would earn contingency fees of 20 to 30 percent of successful forfeitures. The businesses allege this violates their due process rights. A circuit judge denied their motion to disqualify the firm in April, finding the sheriff's office kept enough authority over filing and settling cases, and the decision is on appeal at Florida's 3rd District Court. The sheriff's office argued in court that it maintains oversight. Reason says the office and the firm did not immediately respond to requests for comment. No one at the businesses has been criminally charged, according to the Miami Herald as cited by Reason.
Why it matters
Civil forfeiture lets police seize property without charging the owner, and the appeal would be the first time Florida courts consider whether a private lawyer can be paid a share of what is forfeited. The claimants say the fee structure could give the firm millions of dollars in fees on the seized funds alone.
These are unproven claims, and everyone named is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Researched with AI assistance from the sources listed here and reviewed under our methodology.