Florentino Antonio Diaz, a former interim executive director of the Wynwood Business Improvement District (BID), was charged on Apr. 14 with stealing more than $192,000 from the Miami arts district organization.
The case is significant for property owners and residents in Wynwood, as the BID plays a key role in funding neighborhood improvements and redevelopment through assessments collected from its members.
According to an arrest warrant from the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, Diaz allegedly transferred funds from the BID’s TD Bank accounts to his personal Citibank account. Authorities say he concealed these transfers by altering bank statements sent to the BID’s accountant, replacing his name with those of legitimate vendors. The charges against Diaz include 26 counts of third degree grand theft—one for each wire transfer—as well as single counts of second degree grand theft, scheme to defraud, and forgery. His bond was set at $46,000. Attempts to reach Diaz for comment were unsuccessful.
The investigation began last spring when BID officials noticed that $46,336 was missing after deciding to move funds from TD Bank to Banesco USA—a transition managed by Diaz. An accountant discovered that an interest payment had not been received and found a letter on official letterhead directing TD Bank to transfer funds directly into Diaz’s account using a forged signature belonging to Vice Chair Daniel Whyte. After police involvement and further review of bank records dating back to 2023, investigators uncovered an additional 26 questionable transfers totaling $146,216.
The Wynwood BID represents more than 400 property owners across approximately 50 blocks in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District. It has played a central role in local redevelopment since its formation in 2013 and recently secured recertification for another decade with expectations of collecting about $1.7 million per year.
Diaz served as interim executive director from September 2024 until his resignation last May; he previously worked as project manager for the organization.
