Alfredo Matias whistleblower complaint put on hold until Sept. 16 as board reviews record

The City of Miami Civil Service Board recessed consideration of a whistleblower complaint filed by former police officer Alfredo Matias and scheduled a continuation for Sept. 16, 2025, to allow members to review exhibits and prior hearing recordings.

Robert Harris, attorney for Matias, asked the board to adopt the prior evidentiary record and reapply the board’s earlier factual findings to the whistleblower claim, arguing Matias was terminated in retaliation for providing an affidavit in a federal case. Harris said the city manager later “overturned it all and said I don't care, I don't care what you guys found,” and asked the new board to reconsider the evidence under the whistleblower standard.

Lanetta Geary, representing the city, told the board the internal affairs investigation sustained findings of untruthfulness and that the city manager and the 11th Circuit’s denial of certiorari supported the city's position. She said the city continues to maintain the evidence substantiates the internal affairs finding and urged the board to review the court exhibits as well.

Board counsel explained the whistleblower cause of action uses a different legal standard than the prior termination review and requires examining whether Matias engaged in protected activity, whether an adverse personnel action occurred and whether there is a causal connection. Counsel told board members they may rely on the existing transcripts and exhibits and that the hearing process provides an administrative step before court review.

The board directed staff to provide missing exhibits and recordings of the earlier hearings and indicated members may request witnesses for Sept. 16 if the written record leaves unanswered questions. The panel recessed until the next regular Civil Service Board meeting on Sept. 16, 2025.