Alberto Gutman

Alberto Gutman (January 4, 1959 – February 16, 2019) was a Cuban-American politician. Born to a Jewish[1] family in Havana, Cuba, he moved to the United States when he was 6 years old.

Alberto Gutman
Member of the Florida Senate
from the 34th district
In office
1992–1999
Preceded byLincoln Díaz-Balart
Succeeded byAlex Díaz de la Portilla
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 105th district
In office
1984–1992
Preceded byHarold W. Spaet
Succeeded byMichael I. Abrams
Personal details
Born(1959-01-04)January 4, 1959
Havana, Cuba
DiedFebruary 16, 2019(2019-02-16) (aged 60)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMarci Rabinowitz
Children2
Alma materMiami Dade College (AA)
University of Miami (BBA)

Early life

He lived and went to school in Miami Beach, Florida.

He entered politics and became a member of the Republican Party. He was elected Member of Florida House of Representatives, 1984–92;[2] member of Florida Senate 34th District, 1992–99.[3]

He was a member of the Freemasons, B'nai B'rith, Phi Kappa Phi, and Phi Theta Kappa.[4]

He was married and had two daughters.

Career
Gutman smoking cigars with members of the Florida House of Representatives
Gutman addressing his colleagues in the Senate chamber
Gutman listening to Father Sergio Carrillo of St.John the Apostle Church in Hialeah, Florida, along with other members of the Florida House of Representatives

In 1992 he won his first election to the Florida Senate defeating Democrat Kendall Coffey.

Gutman accused his opponent in the 1998 senatorial election of using voodoo against him after Santería paraphernalia was tossed at him and scattered on his vehicle by his opponent's supporters; Gutman won the election.

Resignation and Conviction

He was indicted on 32 counts for benefiting from a fake health care company that he had set up to defraud Medicare of $15,000,000. Gutman then resigned his post as Chairman of the Florida Senate Health Care Committee over alleged improprieties in brokering a Medicaid health plan during his term as vice chairman of the committee.

He was charged with conspiracy, money laundering, and witness tampering. He was found guilty and sentenced to five years in prison with three year’s probation, ordered to pay victims $98,175 in restitution and fined $50,000 in 1999.[5][6][7][8]

Death

Gutman died on February 16, 2019, at his home in Miami, Florida.[9]

Electoral history
DatePositionStatusOpponentResultVote shareTop-opponent vote share
1984State RepresentativeIncumbentHarold W. Spaet (D)Elected58.01%[10]41.99%
1986State RepresentativeIncumbentA. J. Daoud (D)Re-elected63.40%[11]36.60%
1988State RepresentativeIncumbentRan unopposedRe-elected100.00%[12]0%
1990State RepresentativeIncumbentSteve Leifman (D)Re-elected58.89%[13]41.11%
1992State SenatorOpen-seatKendall Coffey (D)Elected56.68%[14]43.32%
1994State SenatorIncumbentRan unopposedRe-elected100.00%[15]0%
1998State SenatorIncumbentAgustin "Gus" Garcia (D)Re-elected50.23%[16]49.77%

References
  1. Ovalle, David (February 18, 2019). "Alberto Gutman, popular Miami state lawmaker who went to prison, dies at 60". Miami Herald. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  2. "House of Representatives". 13 January 2018. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018.
  3. "Florida Senators". 13 January 2018. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018.
  4. The Florida Senate Handbook 1996–1998
  5. Archived copy Archived 2018-08-13 at the Wayback Machine, May 1, 2000, Tough Sentence For Corruption,
  6. "The Political Graveyard: Politicians in Trouble or Disgrace: Florida". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  7. MIKE CLARY, TIMES STAFF WRITER (June 18, 1998). "Corruption Count Rising in Florida". Los Angeles Times.
  8. "Ex-Florida State Senator Gets 5 Years for Fraud". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 29, 2000.
  9. "Alberto Gutman Obituary (1959 - 2019) - Miami, FL - the Miami Herald". Legacy.com. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  10. "Our Campaigns - FL State House 105 Race - Nov 06, 1984". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  11. "Our Campaigns - FL State House 105 Race - Nov 04, 1986". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  12. "Our Campaigns - FL State House 105 Race - Nov 08, 1988". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  13. "Our Campaigns - FL State House 105 Race - Nov 06, 1990". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  14. "Our Campaigns - FL State Senate 34 Race - Nov 03, 1992". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  15. "Our Campaigns - FL State Senate 34 Race - Nov 08, 1994". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  16. "Our Campaigns - FL State Senate 34 Race - Nov 03, 1998". www.ourcampaigns.com.
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