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South Beach nightlife king, developer and philanthropist Michael Capponi was arrested on charges of driving under the influence last October after driving himself home from a fancy shindig at W South Beach hot spot Wall. Capponi maintained that he blew under the legal limit both times he was asked to take a breathalyzer test and claimed his well-publicized past problems with drugs led to Miami Beach police unfairly charging him. Now, after a three-month legal battle, those charges have been dropped.
“Michael’s arrest resulted from a questionable detention, a voluntary breath reading well below (25% below) the legal limit, and a voluntary urine sample (that came back clean weeks later),” read a statement by Capponi’s lawyer Michael Grieco. “Both my client and I are pleased that the State Attorney and the City of Miami Beach came to their senses once the evidence was fully evaluated.”
Grieco claims that in many DUI cases authorities wait until full toxicology reports come back before pressing charges, but alleges that Capponi was treated differently.
“It’s a flawed system when law enforcement choses to jump the gun based upon hunches and speculation. Mr. Capponi has not touched an illegal drug in over fifteen years and actively advocates against drug abuse.”
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Grieco says that Capponi is in Haiti right now continuing his hands on charity work for victims of the earthquake. Capponi has agreed not to pursue any further legal action against the Miami Beach police department.
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