OFFICER FIRED AMID DRUG CASE WANTS HEARING TO CLEAR HIS NAME

Innocent until proven guilty. The familiar phrase speaks to the foundation
of this country's legal system.

But a lawyer representing one of the fired Hialeah Police officers
implicated in the department's recent Ecstasy drug bust claims the city has
trampled on that basic right.

Lawyer Jay Levy says his client, Wilson Medina, has been "stigmatized and
branded as a drug user and a drug dealer" by the city. In a letter dated
Thursday, Levy calls on Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez to remedy what he sees
as a wrong.

"Under the Constitution of the United States, which is applicable in the
city of Hialeah, my client is entitled to a name-clearing hearing to refute
the charges made by the city in the news media," Levy states. "Because his
good name, reputation, honor and integrity are at stake."

A name-clearing hearing would be like a trial, Levy said. Both the city and
the accused would get to make their case before a judge.

"If they prove that we are right, then Wilson Medina can look for a job,"
Levy said.

Martinez did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Medina was fired Feb. 22 following a six-month surveillance of the alleged
drug activity of five Hialeah officers. The probe initially focused on Omar
Diaz, who has since admitted to selling Ecstasy pills at a warehouse party
last year.

Medina and the other officers implicated -- Ramiro Del Nodal, Robert Hasmi
and Oscar Oliveros -- are accused of either knowing about the drug sale or
trying to cover it up.

Because Medina was still on probation, the city had wide legal discretion to
fire him.

Since the firing, Hialeah Police officials have publicly disparaged Medina
and the other officers for becoming entangled in the world of rave parties
and drugs. But the Miami-Dade state attorney's office has not pressed any
criminal charges against Medina.

Levy said he isn't quibbling over words; he is trying to protect his
client's livelihood.

"My client has a desire to remain in law enforcement," Levy said.

Hialeah City Attorney Bill Grodnick declined to discuss the matter.