MIAMI — Former Miami-Dade School Board Vice Chair Lubby Navarro is headed to prison.
As part of a deal with prosecutors, the 51-year-old former elected official pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a third-degree grand theft charge in connection with a 2024 corruption case in which authorities accused her of racking up about $100,000 in personal purchases on a district credit card.
Prosecutors alleged Navarro used the official card to buy food, groceries, appliances, vacations and more.
At least two of the purchases veered into the bizarre: Investigators said she bought a pair of “artificial silicone pregnancy bellies” after a breakup with her boyfriend in an apparent attempt by the then-48-year-old to convince him she was expecting, during a period in which she followed and harassed him.
Before the breakup, authorities allege she used the district card to buy items for his Hollywood smoothie business.
As part of Navarro’s plea, prosecutors agreed to drop an additional grand theft charge, plus two organized fraud charges. Under the agreement, she’s sentenced to spend 14 months in prison followed by probation.
“I just accepted full responsibility for my actions,” she said in court. “I can now begin to put this behind me and serve the time that I have accepted to be able to repair and apologize sincerely to my entire community for all of my actions.”
She’ll also have to pay more than $101,000 in restitution.
Navarro’s three-year probation term can be terminated halfway through for good behavior. She’s prohibited from running for office ― but only during that term ― meaning it’s possible that South Florida hasn’t seen the last of Navarro in public office.
“This community is really embracing of those who recognize their wrongdoing and strive to do better,” Ben Kuehne, Navarro’s attorney, said. “We have seen many situations that are sad, but that turn into positives. We expect Lubby is going to be one of those situations.”
Authorities took Navarro into custody immediately after Tuesday’s court hearing.
Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle issued a statement after the plea Tuesday, saying in part that Navarro has “admitted her guilt and has accepted her sentence” instead of “seeking to avoid the consequences of her actions.”
“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,” Fernandez Rundle said.
If Navarro does want to run for office in the future, she’ll have to get her rights restored first as a convicted felon.
Kuehne said for now, Navarro will focus on completing her prison sentence and rehabilitation.
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