Developer Wanted for Murder for Hire Plot Commits Suicide

Prominent Miami-Dade Homebuilder Sergio Pino Found Dead Amid FBI Investigation

Coral Gables, FLSergio Pino, a prominent Miami-Dade homebuilder, was found dead at his Coral Gables home on Tuesday amid an FBI investigation. Authorities confirmed that Pino died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during a search and arrest operation conducted by the FBI.

The operation took place at Pino’s $8 million residence located at 142 Isla Dorada Blvd. The FBI’s Miami SWAT team entered the home after receiving no response from its occupants. Pino was discovered alone in an upstairs bedroom, according to an FBI statement.

FBI Investigation Details

The FBI operation is linked to a murder-for-hire investigation from the fall of 2023. On August 30, 2023, Tatiana Pino, Sergio Pino’s estranged wife, was the victim of a hit-and-run outside her Pinecrest home. This incident is part of the criminal investigations surrounding their contentious separation.

In addition to the operation at Pino’s home, the FBI conducted another search and arrest at 9720 Bel Aire Drive in Miami, where the subject was arrested without incident.

Background of the Case

Sergio and Tatiana Pino were married for 32 years, and their ongoing divorce has been marked by serious allegations, including poisoning, arson, and stalking. The federal investigation has already resulted in the arrests of four individuals, including a man identified by Tatiana as having worked on the couple’s yacht.

Sergio Pino had not been charged with any crimes before his death. However, the FBI had previously searched the couple’s home in the affluent Cocoplum neighborhood and his business offices in June as part of the ongoing investigation.

Statements and Reactions

Pino’s attorney, Deanna S. Shifrin, expressed her belief in his innocence and suggested that the stress from the divorce and media coverage contributed to his tragic death. “Based upon all I have learned during two years of representing Sergio, there is nothing to indicate that he ever harmed or wanted to harm his wife. He was a gentle and kind man, loved and respected by the many people he employed at his businesses,” Shifrin said in a statement to NBC6. “I do believe that the combination of unnecessarily destructive divorce litigation along with selective and salacious media coverage was humiliating to him and led to this tragedy.”

At least a dozen law enforcement vehicles were seen outside Pino’s home on Tuesday. The scene included broken windows and reports of flash bangs. Authorities lifted a large black tarp to obscure Pino’s body as it was moved on a stretcher to the medical examiner’s van.

The Pino Legacy

Sergio Pino headed Century Homebuilders Group, the largest Hispanic-owned homebuilder in the nation, according to the company’s website. He also served as president of the influential Latin Builders Association.

The Pino family’s wealth and influence have been a fixture in Miami-Dade’s development scene, with Sergio Pino’s business ventures contributing significantly to the region’s growth.

Ongoing Legal Battles

The Pino divorce has been a prolonged and bitter process. Financial statements cited during Sergio Pino’s November 2023 deposition indicated a combined net worth fluctuating between $153 million and $359 million. The dispute over the rightful division of assets remains central to the ongoing legal battles.

Criminal Connections

Surveillance footage from the hit-and-run incident shows a rented Home Depot flatbed truck crashing into Tatiana Pino’s car. One of the defendants, Michael Dulfo, reportedly told investigators he was contracted to commit the crime by someone associated with the Pino divorce case.

The investigation revealed further criminal activities, including arson and solicitation to commit crimes against Tatiana. One suspect, Bayron Bennett, admitted his involvement in these activities, implicating others in the process.

Moving Forward

As the FBI continues its investigation, the tragic death of Sergio Pino adds a somber dimension to the ongoing legal and criminal proceedings. Authorities urge anyone with additional information to come forward to aid in the resolution of this complex case.

 

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