SECOND JUROR MAY HAVE TAKEN BRIBE IN '96 DRUG TRIAL

A second juror in the infamous 1996 trial of accused drug kingpins Willie
Falcon and Sal Magluta took bribes to vote not guilty, according to recorded
conversations between two of their associates -- one now in federal witness
protection, the other jailed Thursday as part of a massive federal
indictment.

Longstanding suspicions of jury tampering in the 1996 drug conspiracy case
were confirmed last month when the jury foreman was convicted of taking
$400,000 in bribes, but prosecutors arguing over bond in the new case
revealed for the first time Friday evidence of a second corrupt juror.

An alleged Magluta/Falcon bag-lady-turned-informant was wearing a wire in
October when another associate of the organization took her bait and
discussed the bribes, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Davis.

Jorge Luis Hernandez, 43 -- arrested Thursday in connection with an alleged
conspiracy to obstruct justice on behalf of Magluta and Falcon -- was caught
on tape assuaging the informant's concerns that the second juror might be
cooperating or "spending money ridiculously," Davis said while arguing
against bond for Hernandez.

It was one of several revelations Friday as federal prosecutors announced
sweeping new indictments against Magluta, Falcon, and 10 associates they say
were part of the conspiracy to thwart federal and state investigations
through murder, bribes, intimidation and perjury.

Magluta and Falcon, Miami High friends and boat-racing champions, were
acquitted in 1996 after federal authorities charged them with running the
largest cocaine smuggling operation in South Florida history. Ever since,
the case has been a crusade for federal prosecutors. Both men are currently
serving federal prison sentences on other charges.

Federal agents executed 25 search warrants in Miami-Dade and Broward
counties on Thursday, seized 20 bank accounts, 25 certificates of deposit,
and the contents of six safe-deposit boxes containing more than $250,000 in
cash.

At the home of accused Magluta/Falcon money launderer Luis Valverde, 47, of
Miami, agents found nine boxes in the attic, "all filled to the top with
cash," prosecutors said. He is listed in county records as a $43,000-a-year
refrigeration mechanic with the Miami-Dade County School District.

He wasn't named in the indictment, but was arrested as a result of the
search of his home.

"Cash was seized in such a bulk amount of money that the agencies involved
don't have the equipment to count it," said FBI Agent in Charge Hector
Pesquera.

One of the 13 arrested Thursday as a longstanding member of the alleged drug
organization is a social studies teacher at North Dade Middle School.

An attorney for Richard Passapera, 43, identified as a longtime friend of
Magluta and Falcon, argued before U.S. Magistrate William Turnoff Friday
that his client needed to post bond in time to be back on the job as a
teacher next week. Turnoff agreed to a $100,000 cash bond.

Passapera is charged with lying to a federal grand jury and at the 1996
trial.

Two Magluta/Falcon lawyers -- charged with encouraging witnesses to refuse
cooperation, refusing to turn over court-ordered documents, taking illegal
cash payments and offering bribes to witnesses in exchange for silence or
helpful testimony -- were allowed to surrender voluntarily and were released
on signature bonds.

Richard Martinez, 38, a former Miami-Dade prosecutor and Magluta
brother-in-law, and L. Mark Dachs, a well-known Miami defense lawyer,
surrendered and were led in handcuffs to be processed by U.S. Marshals.

At a news conference just before eight of the 13 charged made their first
appearances in court, U.S. Attorney Thomas Scott answered defense
contentions that his office's pursuit of defense lawyers, jurors and
Magluta/Falcon associates has been a vendetta since the stinging 1996
acquittal.

"I don't think this is vindictiveness. I think this is vindication," Scott
said. e-mail: dkidwell@herald.com