By Rafael A. Olmeda The
Sun-Sentinel. Web-posted: 12:15 a.m. Feb. 15, 2001
The former head of one of Miami's Cuban exile groups was indicted on a
charge that he embezzled thousands of dollars from his organization, the U.S.
Attorney's Office announced Wednesday.
Pablo Llabre, who once headed the Cuban Dissidence Task Force, faces a
maximum 10-year prison term if convicted of taking $18,000 from the group
between Feb. 26 and May 18, 1999.
A former leader of the Cuban Human Rights Party in Havana, Llabre came to
Miami in 1989 and is well known in the inner circles of Miami's exile community.
"He's a vocal activist," said Ramón Saul Sánchez,
leader of the Democracy Movement. "His organization here was active, but we
haven't heard from them in a while."
The Cuban Dissidence Task Force received $250,000 in federal funds in 1998
to help provide and publish information on opposition movements in Cuba. Federal
officials charged Llabre, 49, with stealing from those funds.
"Individuals in positions of community trust and authority are
especially accountable for their actions," U.S. Attorney Guy Lewis said..
"If the charge is true, it is quite disappointing," said Sánchez,
leader of the Democracy Movement. "When people donate to our organizations,
they expect that the money will be used for the cause for which the donation is
given."
Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4207. | 