MIAMI - Sergio Pino, a renowned Miami developer and influential figure in the Hispanic community, was found dead in his Coral Gables mansion on Tuesday. The apparent suicide came as FBI agents closed in, investigating allegations of a murder-for-hire plot targeting his estranged wife, Tatiana Pino. He was 67.
Pino's death marks a shocking end to the life of one of the most powerful Latino businessmen in the world of property development. His career was a testament to the American Dream, given his rise from a Cuban immigrant to founder of Century Homebuilders Group, the largest Hispanic-owned home builder in the nation. However, recent events have tarnished his legacy, as he became embroiled in a scandal involving threats and attempts on his estranged wife's life.
Sergio Pino, immigrant
Born in Havana in 1956, Pino fled to the United States with his family at age 12, settling in Miami. Despite humble beginnings, he showed entrepreneurial spirit early on, eventually creating a multimillion-dollar construction empire. Century Homebuilders Group, founded in the mid-1990s, has built over 16,000 homes across South Florida, significantly shaping the region's residential landscape.
After leaving Cuba, Pino's father, a former grocery store owner in Cuba, took up work as a plumber, earning $1.35 an hour while Sergio and his mother worked part-time jobs to help supporting the family. After graduating from Miami Senior High School in 1975, Pino attended Miami-Dade Community College for two years, aspiring to become an architect. However, his career changed when he borrowed $6,000 from his father to open a plumbing store in 1977. Century Plumbing quickly prospered, beginning Pino's venture into the construction industry.
Sergio Pino's empire
In the mid-1990s, Pino founded Century Homebuilders Group, which would become the largest Hispanic-owned home builder in the United States. The company developed over 16,000 homes in South Florida, transforming the residential landscape. Pino's vision was to create communities where people could thrive, a mission he proudly shared in numerous interviews.
His influence extended beyond real estate. 1989 Pino became president of the Latin Builders Association, a powerful Coral Gables-based construction group. Under his leadership, the association flourished, enhancing his reputation as a key figure in Miami's development scene. By 1997, he established Century Partners Group, a real estate holding company that quickly raised millions for single-family housing projects in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Pino was more than a developer; he was a philanthropist and a key political fundraiser, especially within the Republican Party. His influence extended through various sectors, from academia, with his substantial donations to Florida International University, to politics, where he was a staunch supporter of figures like former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.
Yet, Pino's career was not without controversy. Over the years, he faced multiple investigations, although he was never charged. These included a 2002 scrutiny over lucrative airport contracts and a 2006 federal grand jury investigation regarding the alleged bribery of a Miami-Dade commissioner.
In 2006, a federal grand jury investigated allegations that Pino hosted Miami-Dade Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Díaz on a Cancún trip in exchange for support of a large-scale project in Doral. The probe focused on a 2004 fishing trip aboard Pino's private jet. No charges were filed, but the investigation highlighted the scrutiny Pino faced throughout his career.
Pino also co-founded U.S. Century Bank, which aimed to become the largest Hispanic bank in Miami. However, by 2011, the bank faced financial difficulties and a federal enforcement order due to concerns about insider loans, including millions for Pino's development projects. He resigned from the bank's board to focus on his real estate business.
The murder-for-hire scandal
Century Homebuilders Group continued to thrive under Pino's leadership in recent years. He remained a prominent figure in Miami's construction industry, even advocating for a temporary shutdown of construction sites during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent worker outbreaks.
The latest chapter in Pino's life unfolded dramatically. Tatiana Pino, during their ongoing divorce proceedings, accused him of poisoning her with fentanyl, a claim that led to severe health complications. She also claimed that he had organized arson and stalking against her and her sister.
The allegations are part of an ongoing federal investigation that has already resulted in the arrest of four people, including a man who Tatiana Pino identified as having worked for the couple on their yacht. She suggested a financial motive behind the alleged attempts on her life. The FBI investigation intensified, leading to a raid on Pino's Coral Gables mansion, where agents found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Pino's lawyer, Sam Rabin, expressed sorrow over his client's death, describing it as a tragic end to a case they were confident in defending. Despite the grave allegations, Rabin maintained that Pino had always denied any involvement in the attempts on his wife's life.
As the investigation into the alleged murder-for-hire plot continues, the full details of Pino's actions and motivations may come to light. For now, the story of Sergio Pino serves as a stark reminder of how swiftly a life of power and success can unravel under the weight of personal and legal turmoil.
A sordid end for an outstanding life.
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