Former Miami-Dade County Public Schools board member Lubby Navarro has pleaded guilty to going on a $100,000 shopping spree using district funds, under a plea deal that will send her to prison.
Navarro, 51, pleaded guilty Tuesday to third-degree grand theft and was sentenced to 14 months in prison, followed by three years of probation. As part of the agreement, she must also repay $101,000 in restitution and is barred from working in any government position during her probation period.
“I want to begin by apologizing to the children of Miami-Dade public schools,” Navarro said during Tuesday’s hearing.
Navarro, who previously represented District 7 and served as vice chair of the school board, was arrested in January 2024 after prosecutors said she made more than $100,000 in unauthorized personal purchases using credit cards issued by the school district prior to her resignation.
According to prosecutors, more than $92,000 was spent at retail stores including Walmart, Apple, Amazon, Gucci, and BrandsMart on items such as appliances, electronics, clothing, health and beauty products, household goods, home furnishings, food, and gift cards.
Authorities said Navarro was also caught on surveillance cameras at Walmart making personal purchases using the district-issued credit cards.
Prosecutors further alleged that Navarro spent more than $9,000 on unauthorized travel expenses, including airfare, hotels, car rentals, and meals. These trips included taking her mother to the Dominican Republic, traveling with her then-boyfriend to Las Vegas, and paying for his family to visit Walt Disney World.
Authorities also said Navarro purchased items for a Fort Lauderdale market owned by her boyfriend, including a commercial-grade refrigerator, chest freezer, wine chiller, and espresso machine.
Defense attorney Benedict Kuehne asked the community to accept Navarro’s plea.
“We ask the community to fully accept that she has accepted her wrongdoing. She has started the path to rehabilitation,” Kuehne said. “She never intended to hurt the children of this community who she loves. She never intended to cause disruption to the school board, and this is a step to correcting those issues.”
Katherine Fernandez Rundle, State Attorney for Miami-Dade County, said the case highlights the importance of accountability among public officials.
“Public officials are in positions of authority and trust to ensure the safety and the quality of life for those who live in our community, not to utilize public monies for their personal benefit. Rather than seeking to avoid the consequences of her actions, Lubby Navarro has admitted her guilt and has accepted her sentence which includes imprisonment,” the statement read.
“Let there be no doubt that I and my public corruption team of prosecutors and investigators will continue ensuring that our government operates for the people of Miami-Dade County, not for the financial benefit of those holding office or position.”
Felix Jimenez, Inspector General for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, said the district has since strengthened oversight measures following the investigation.
“Today’s sentencing of former School Board Member Lubby Navarro underscores the seriousness of the misconduct identified during our investigation and reaffirms our commitment to protecting the integrity of Miami-Dade Public Schools,” Jimenez said.
“I am pleased to note that in response to this matter, the School Board moved swiftly to implement strengthened financial controls, enhanced oversight of purchasing and travel card usage, and improved auditing procedures to prevent similar abuses of public resources.”
