The Miami-Dade County Commission on Ethics and Public Trust has found probable cause that Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT) housing chief Edwin Miller participated in misconduct, an investigative report says.
The allegations include violations of four sections of the county Ethics Code, particularly those regarding exploitation of official position, conflicting employment, prohibition on outside employment, and public records.
Former employee Vincent Burnett — who has previously filed complaints against Miller with the county’s Human Rights and Fair Employment Practices (FEP) Division — said he believes that the investigation raises concerns about the efficacy of MDEAT’s housing program amid the current affordability crisis in Miami-Dade. Burnett initially contacted The Miami Times in 2023 to make various allegations of fund mismanagement, harassment and retaliation against MDEAT, resulting in a months-long investigation into the county organization.
MDEAT was founded following the riots that erupted in 1980 after officers were acquitted in the death of Arthur McDuffie. MDEAT was seen as a solution to socioeconomic disparities within the Black community.
Despite this, Miami remains the least affordable city in the country, according to various reports. The city is currently facing a shortage of more than 90,000 affordable units for households earning up to $75,000 per year.
Allegations made against Miller address his conflicting occupations, professional communication and interactions with residents between late 2021 and present day.
Edwin Miller is interviewed on camera.
(MDEAT/Flickr)
The report states that Miller worked for the Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF) in December 2021 and was on paid leave from the county between Dec. 1 and Dec. 27 of the same year, meaning he was a full-time county employee while he engaged in outside employment with BBIF.
According to the investigative report, once Miller rejoined the county in May 2022 as the MDEAT Housing Program administrator, he gave BBIF — a non-profit Community Development Financial Institution — an unfair advantage during a competitive procurement process by MDEAT to identify an institution fit to operate the Construction Development Loan program.
Both allegations are in violation of the Miami-Dade County Conflict of Interest and Code of Ethics Ordinance.
Miller denied both accusations.
“I was not offered, did not take, and did not receive remuneration beyond my salary for my efforts,” wrote Miller in a statement provided to The Miami Times. “In addition, the decision to hire BBIF was approved by the County Attorney and Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust board members for reasons other than any personal relationship involving me.”
Miller also allegedly failed to produce records concerning a meeting with the BAC Funding Corporation — another previous employer and organization where he served as president for over 14 years — in a timely manner to address a public records request. This alleged failure to respond is in violation of the Citizens’ Bill of Rights.
Miller’s manner of communication within the workplace has also raised concerns. Employees alleged that Miller’s conduct negatively impacted the work environment, claiming he frequently made disrespectful and inappropriate comments related to derogatory stereotypes on race, gender and sexual orientation.
William Diggs speaks at the MDEAT Activist Awards in 2025./
(MDEAT/Flickr)
In 2024, Burnett, the former MDEAT employee, filed a lawsuit against MDEAT, alleging two counts of unlawful retaliation following his filing of an Employment Discrimination Complaint against Miller, his immediate supervisor. That lawsuit is still ongoing.
Vincent Burnett.
(Courtesy of Vincent Burnett)
“The perception was that Miller was untouchable,” said Burnett. “No matter what you do and what he does, he will not be disciplined. Anybody else who spoke up, whether against Miller or for county policy, were terminated, or their lives were made very, very difficult.”
The allegations made against Miller extend beyond internal complaints, also including a concern from a Miami-Dade resident. The resident reported feeling “scared” after speaking to Miller regarding the MDEAT Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RAP). Miller was then placed on suspension without pay in January 2025 for providing misinformation inconsistent with RAP guidelines, according to the letter of suspension. Miller refused to sign the formal notice.
William “Bill” Diggs serves as the executive director of MDEAT.
(MDEAT/Flickr)
This was Miller’s second suspension, following a June 2024 incident when he allegedly sent an email to the executive director of the Commission on Ethics on the premise that it came from MDEAT Executive Director William Diggs. Miller also declined to sign the suspension notice in this case.
Diggs did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
“This matter has been resolved through the applicable ethics process, and respect is given to that process,” wrote Miller in his statement to The Miami Times. “At the same time, I would not characterize my tenure or professional record as one of mismanagement.”
Miller stated that his work has been marked by “successful strategic management, management by objectives, fiscal stewardship, and strong financial outcomes in service to institutional mission and community impact.”
“One administrative matter should not be permitted to define an entire life or career of service, nor should it eclipse decades of work directed toward helping families, strengthening communities, and expanding opportunity,” wrote Miller.
The ethics report includes the recommendation that the case be referred to the Miami-Dade Office of the Inspector General, noting that further concerns of mismanagement and financial impropriety fall beyond the scope of the Commission of Ethics.