MDSO makes 11 arrests connected with illegal handicapped placards

DORAL, Fla. — Several arrests were made public in Miami-Dade County over illegal handicapped placards.

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The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office announced 11 arrests that stemmed from an investigation called Operation Parking Denied which looked into legitimate handicapped placards that were obtained illegally.

The arrests all came after an internal audit from Miami-Dade Tax Collector Dariel Fernández.

“So far we have reviewed 7349 applications and 6190 have failed the final audit,” said Fernandez.

Investigators determined drivers were paying someone to provide them with the necessary medical documents to obtain the rear-view mirror blue decals and taking them from handicapped drivers who are in need of them.

“Their internal audit identified hundreds of suspicious applications and brought them to the attention of our investigators,” said Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz. “The evidence points to a scheme to which people could pay a broker up to $200 to obtained fraudulent medical certification on disability and then take that paperwork to the tax collector’s office to obtain a handicapped placard.”

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Detectives also learned that in some cases, doctor’s signatures were forged, and in other cases the doctors weren’t even alive.

“Many applications bore what appeared to be the signature of a doctor, but through our investigation it revealed that this particular doctor had retired back in 2020 and subsequently passed away on 2025,” said Cordero-Stutz.

The sheriff also had a message to those who believe they may have slipped through the cracks and continue to illegally park.

“Our investigations will continue and we will eventually find you,” she said.

Additionally, Fernandez said the county’s audit continues, and they are now reviewing open and closed applications to ensure those who have and continue to receive the placards legitimately need it.

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