Hialeah's Mayor Bryan Calvo's Security Costs Taxpayers Thousands in Overtime

Hialeah has spent over $59,100 on additional compensation—covering overtime and on-call services—for three police officers tasked with protecting Mayor Bryan Calvo, as revealed by payroll records obtained by El Nuevo Herald. These expenses, which span from January to July 10, 2026, represent an unprecedented financial commitment in the city’s history.

A New Role with Significant Costs

The majority of these funds were allocated to Rudi Ginestra, who was formally appointed as the mayor’s sergeant-at-arms just six days after Calvo took office on January 12. This appointment marks a first for Hialeah, the most Cuban city in the United States, as no previous mayor had ever filled such a position.

Ginestra’s base salary is approximately $99,700 annually, yet he amassed $37,900 in additional payments in under six months. This amount equates to 38% of his base salary and rivals the $44,000 yearly salary of a Hialeah city council member. By July 10, Ginestra had logged 433.5 overtime hours and 93.25 on-call service hours. In just two weeks from February 1 to 14, he recorded 60.5 extra hours, including travel to Tallahassee for the Dade Days event.

The Financial Impact on Taxpayers

The other two members of Calvo's security team also incurred significant expenses. Officer Frank Espildora, with a base salary of around $84,000, earned approximately $15,400 for 143.5 on-call hours and 75 overtime hours.

Meanwhile, Officer Aileen Pérez, a training instructor with a base salary of $91,600, received $5,800 for 72.5 hours outside her regular schedule. Records also indicate she accompanied Melianni Terrero, the mayor’s girlfriend, during political activities.

Security Justifications and Political Backdrop

The mayor's office defends the security expenses, citing Calvo’s aggressive stance against local businesses allegedly linked to the Cuban regime. Chief of Staff José Torres mentioned in July that vehicles had followed the mayor, and "strange actions" occurred near his residence, though no specific perpetrators were identified or directly connected to the regime. Hialeah Police Chief George Fuente acknowledged no concrete threats against Calvo but admitted that elected officials face certain risks.

The Business Advisory Group with Cuba (CUBAT), formed by executive order on Calvo's inauguration day, is the investigation’s focal point. This group reviewed over 290 businesses, targeting those trading with Cuba or potentially benefiting the regime. Public outcomes have been limited, with 18 out of 20 initially revoked licenses reinstated after documentation was submitted, leaving only two still revoked. The full list of 290 businesses has never been disclosed.

Unresolved Funding and Additional Controversies

The city’s budget does not itemize the mayor’s security costs, suggesting that actual expenses may surpass the documented $59,100, as they are absorbed within the general police department budget of $89.4 million for 2026.

Controversies around Calvo extend beyond security expenses. In June, he was fined for illegally operating a municipal vehicle equipped with blue emergency lights—on a day when Ginestra was not present. Florida law restricts such equipment to authorized emergency vehicles only.

At 27, Calvo became Hialeah’s youngest mayor and the youngest in Florida after winning the election in November 2025 with over 52% of the vote. His administration has adopted a strong anti-Castro stance, encapsulated in his January declaration: “Transparency is non-negotiable. We will scrutinize every contract, every investment, and every business with questionable ties. Hialeah belongs to its honest citizens, not those laundering communist money.”