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An official note published on June 18 by Cubamax Travel Inc., and signed by its president Carlos Trujillo, categorically denied any connection between the company and the recent arrests made in Panama City, north of Florida.
The aforementioned arrests are linked to a fraud scheme involving the issuance of driver's licenses that has shaken local and state authorities.
A statement to distance oneself from the scandal
In response to the events, the company based in South Florida stated that it has no connection to the questioned operations or the detained individuals.
“Cubamax Travel Inc., based in South Florida, has no connection to the management, operations, or legal decisions of the office located in Panama City,” states the released note.
The statement also denies any connection with one of the key individuals mentioned in the case: “Mrs. Niurbis Rosales is not an employee, owner, or legal representative of Cubamax Travel Inc., nor are any of the nine individuals arrested employees of Cubamax Travel Inc.”
In a firm tone, the company states that “the legal charges faced by these individuals have no relation to the services or operations of Cubamax Travel Inc.”
Add, additionally, that “among the services offered by Cubamax, no procedures related to the issuance of driver's licenses are included”, nor do they maintain “any type of relationship, directly or indirectly, with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the state of Florida.”
Carlos Trujillo expressed that they regret the events reported by local authorities and expressed his confidence in the judicial process.
The note concludes by reaffirming the company's commitment to its customers.
"Cubamax Travel Inc. maintains its services as normal and, as always, we reaffirm our commitment to complying with the law and to improving the quality of our services every day in order to maintain the trust of our clients and their families in Cuba," they concluded.
The case: A network of illegal licenses in Bay County
The investigation that triggered the scandal began on May 20, when suspicious transactions linked to the Bay County Tax Collector's Office were detected, acting on behalf of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).
A joint operation led by the Bay County Sheriff's Office (BCSO), alongside state and federal agencies, dismantled a criminal network that, according to authorities, included DMV employees, private intermediaries, and an alleged connection with CubaMax, whose local headquarters operated in Callaway, Bay County.
During the operation, $120,000 in cash was seized, allegedly generated by illegal activity.
Modus operandi of the fraud
The network was issuing driver's licenses without meeting the established legal requirements: no theoretical exams or practical tests.
Requests were handled by intermediaries who charged considerable amounts for the processes and distributed payments to the state employees involved through platforms like Cash App.
The applicants, coming from various parts of the state, traveled to Bay County to take advantage of the program.
According to official reports, CubaMax may have served as a reference platform to direct those interested in this illegal operation.
The arrested DMV employees are two: Bancelie Velazco (37 years old), with nine counts of fraudulent license issuance and nine counts of improper official conduct; Demetrius Smith II (30 years old), facing eight counts of fraudulent issuance and eight counts of misconduct.
According to previous statements from the authorities, Niurbis Rosales (37 years old) was also arrested, having been identified as the owner of CubaMax in Panama City. Rosales faces 24 charges.
The other arrested individuals are Leonardo Gutiérrez (32): seven charges; Hung Du (58): 36 charges; Isbrieta Parra (44): seven charges; and Zoila González-Peña (38): 12 charges.
Mirna Fernández, 34, was arrested as a beneficiary of the scheme for illegal possession of a driver's license. She is suspected of having paid for the fraudulent approval of her exam.
The CubaMax offices in Callaway were raided by authorities in search of evidence. The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are reviewing physical documents, electronic transaction records, and continue to collect testimonials.
As the authorities move forward with the legal process, Cubamax Travel Inc. has safeguarded its reputation by distancing itself from the scandal. The official statement aims to dispel doubts about its involvement and to reaffirm its operational continuity and commitment to legality.
Frequently Asked Questions about the driver’s license fraud case in Florida and the involvement of CubaMax Travel
Is CubaMax Travel involved in the driver's license fraud ring in Florida?
CubaMax Travel has categorically denied any connection to the Florida driver's license fraud network. The company, in a statement signed by its president Carlos Trujillo, asserted that it has no ties to the questioned operations or to the detained individuals, reaffirming its commitment to legality.
What is Niurbis Rosales's role in the license fraud case?
Niurbis Rosales has been identified as the owner of a CubaMax office in Panama City, implicated in the fraud scheme. CubaMax Travel clarified that Rosales is neither an employee, owner, nor legal representative of the company. Rosales faces 24 charges related to the fraudulent issuance of driver's licenses.
What measures is CubaMax Travel taking in response to these accusations?
CubaMax Travel is taking steps to protect its reputation and assure its clients that its operations are within the legal framework. The company has issued an official statement to clear up any doubts regarding its involvement, reaffirming its operational continuity and commitment to legality.
What actions are the authorities in Florida taking regarding license fraud?
The authorities in Florida have dismantled the fraud network and are conducting a thorough investigation of the case. Furthermore, new laws and ordinances have been implemented to prohibit the sale of appointments for procedures at the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), in order to prevent future fraud in the issuance of driver's licenses.
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