Spanish hotelier Luis Riu Guell, who owns his namesake company with more than 100 hotels in 19 countries, surrendered Monday in Miami to face allegations that he traded hotel stays to Miami Beach’s top building official in exchange for help with the company’s large-scale renovation of its South Beach hotel, according to a report in the Miami Herald.
Riu’s stay in jail won’t last long as he will be allowed to post a US$20,000 bond and can travel from his home in Mallorca, Spain, to resorts around the world.
Prosecutors last week charged Miami Beach’s former building official, Mariano Fernandez, as well as Riu and the company’s regional vice president, Alejandro Sanchez del Arco. RIU’s Florida subsidiary was also charged with unlawful compensation and conspiracy to commit unlawful compensation. Sanchez also surrendered on Monday.
“We are confident that our clients have committed no crime whatsoever,” Riu’s attorney told reporters after his client was led away in handcuffs.
The charges stem from the renovation of the RIU Plaza Hotel, 3101 Collins Ave. The Miami Beach building department was in charge of permitting and inspections on the massive overhaul that took place between October 2013 and June 2016.