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 by	Lincoln Díaz-Balart
Succeeded by	Alex Díaz de la Portilla
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 105th district
In office 1984–1992
Preceded by	Harold Spaet
Succeeded by	Michael Abrams
Personal details
Born	January 4, 1959 Havana, Cuba
Died	February 16, 2019 (aged 60) Miami, Florida, United States
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Marci Rabinowitz
Children	2
Alma mater	Miami Dade College (AA) University of Miami (BBA)

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

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

He is married and has two daughters, one of whom is disabled.

Career

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. (1999)[5][6][7][8]

Death

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

Electoral history

Date	Position	Status	Opponent	Result	Vote share	Top-opponent vote share
1984	State Representative	Incumbent	Harold W. Spaet (D)	Elected	58.01%[10]	41.99%
1986	State Representative	Incumbent	A. J. Daoud (D)	Re-elected	63.40%[11]	36.60%
1988	State Representative	Incumbent	Ran unopposed	Re-elected	100.00%[12]	0%
1990	State Representative	Incumbent	Steve Leifman (D)	Re-elected	58.89%[13]	41.11%
1992	State Senator	Open-seat	Kendall Coffey (D)	Elected	56.68%[14]	43.32%
1994	State Senator	Incumbent	Ran unopposed	Re-elected	100.00%[15]	0%
1998	State Senator	Incumbent	Agustin "Gus" Garcia (D)	Re-elected	50.23%[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. https://www.flsenate.gov/UserContent/Publications/SenateHandbooks/pdf/96-98_Senate_Handbook.pdf
5. http://articles.sun-sentinel.com, May 1, 2000, Tough Sentence For Corruption,
6. politicalgraveyard.com | Politicians in Trouble or Disgrace: Florida |
7. MIKE CLARY, TIMES STAFF WRITER (June 18, 1998). "Corruption Count Rising in Florida". latimes.com.
8. The Associated Press (April 29, 2000). "Ex-Florida State Senator Gets 5 Years for Fraud". nytimes.com.
9. Alberto Gutman-obituary
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.

External links

• Project Vote Smart – Alberto Gutman (FL) profile
• Our Campaigns – Alberto Gutman (FL) profile
• "Governors pledge to reach out and touch", Chuck Shepherd, Orlando Weekly, November 30, 1998.
• "All-American Al", BILL DURYEA, St. Petersburg Times, April 14, 2000