Miami real estate broker George Pino pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor careless boating charges through his attorney in his first court appearance. The charges stem from a boating accident on September 4, 2022, in which Pino’s boat crashed into a channel marker, throwing all 14 people on board into the water. Sadly, one person died as a result of the crash, and another was left with permanent disabilities.

The investigators determined that alcohol was not a factor in the accident, despite finding numerous empty alcohol bottles and cans on board the boat. Pino refused to voluntarily submit to a blood test for alcohol, citing the absence of his lawyer. However, footage from the officer’s body-worn camera seems to contradict this claim.

The State Attorney’s Office filed three misdemeanor careless boating charges based on the officer’s report, as they could not seek higher charges. The decision has outraged the families of the victims, who believe that Pino and his wife provided alcohol to the 12 teen girls on board the boat that day. The families also questioned Pino’s explanation for losing control of the boat, as no one else corroborated his claim.

A status hearing for the case has been scheduled for October 3, with a trial expected to take place in late October or early November.

Sources: The Miami Herald