George Pino, a prominent Florida real estate broker, was found not guilty by a Miami jury on Monday evening of manslaughter and felony vessel homicide in connection with a 2022 boat crash that killed a 17-year-old girl and left another with permanent disabilities.
The Crash and Its Aftermath
The incident occurred on 4 September 2022, during a birthday celebration for Pino's daughter. Pino and his wife, Cecilia, were hosting the party for their daughter's 18th birthday, with 11 of her friends as guests. The boat collided with a steel channel marker in Biscayne Bay, throwing passengers into the water. Luciana Fernandez, 17, was killed. Katerina Puig, now 21, suffered severe head injuries that left her permanently disabled.
Investigators found 61 empty bottles and cans of alcohol on board after the damaged, capsized boat was retrieved. However, Pino was never subjected to a breath test. He denied being impaired or speeding.
Verdict and Reaction
Puig's family issued a statement criticizing the investigation. "While we respect our system of justice and the role of the jury, we profoundly disagree with the verdict," her parents, Kathya and Rodolpho Puig, said. "Based on the evidence presented, we believe George Pino should have been held accountable for the reckless operation of his vessel."
Pino broke down in tears after the acquittal. His lawyer, Howard Srebnick, stated: "From the beginning, we have maintained that the events of September 4 2022 were a tragic accident, not a crime. The testimony presented at trial, including unrebutted accounts from eyewitnesses who saw no signs of impairment, confirmed that Mr Pino was not under the influence, was not operating the vessel recklessly, and that he did everything he could to protect his passengers after the accident."
Legal and Policy Changes
Pino was originally charged with three misdemeanor counts of careless boating, later upgraded to felonies that could have brought a 15-year prison sentence. The Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission changed several policies after criticism of its investigation, including the failure to test Pino for sobriety and the deletion of officer-worn bodycam footage.
Civil suits resulted in a $16 million settlement with Cecilia Pino for Puig's medical care and a separate, undisclosed settlement with George Pino. Miami-Dade county state attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said: "Sadly, I know that this verdict brings no comfort to the Fernandez and Puig families who forever must live with the tragedy of what happened."
