noligarchy.us
Power to The Common Folk
Follow the Money

Ex Miami School Board Power Player Heads To Trial Over $100K Spending Spree

March 26, 2026

SOURCE_URL::https://hoodline.com/2026/03/ex-miami-school-board-power-player-heads-to-trial-over-100k-spending-spree/||SOURCE_NAME::(“School Board” OR “School Board Member” OR “Board of Education” OR “Board of Education Member” OR “Community College Trustee” OR “College Board Trustee” OR “Water District Board” OR “Fire District Co

Florida — Former Miami-Dade School Board vice chair Lubby Navarro is scheduled to face a jury next Tuesday, with prosecutors accusing her of turning district purchasing cards into a personal spending pipeline. Authorities allege that in 2022 she used school funds for vacations, shopping and other non-school expenses, and say some of the charges were traced to her then-boyfriend’s restaurant. Navarro, who stepped down from the board in late 2022, has pleaded not guilty and remains under court-ordered restrictions as the case heads to trial, currently set to begin next Tuesday, April 7.

Why it matters: This trial underscores the critical issue of accountability in public education finance, particularly regarding how public funds are managed and the potential for misuse by those in positions of power. The outcome could have significant implications for governance and oversight within educational institutions.

What to watch:

  • Potential changes to purchasing card controls in the Miami-Dade school system.
  • Impact of the trial on public trust in local educational governance.
  • Future audits or reforms initiated as a result of this case.

Key figures:

  • Lubby Navarro, Former Vice Chair — Accused of misusing public funds, facing trial for organized fraud and grand theft.

Source credibility: Hoodline, a local news outlet, provides reliable coverage with a focus on community issues and public interest.

Published: March 26, 2026 10:41 PM

Source: Hoodline — https://go.noligarchy.us/EoHmHM