FIU Prof. accused of spying for Cuba

[Steve]

I was walking through Graham Center today and saw a channel 10 cameraman and reporter walking through... I was wondering why and found the answer on the Herald website.

www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/13585766.htm

Posted on Mon, Jan. 09, 2006

FIU professor, wife, charged with violating national security, denied...BY JAY WEAVER AND NOAH

[e-mail]

FIU professor,
wife, charged with violating national security, denied bond

A Florida International University professor and his wife, both accused of being foreign agents for Cuba's communist government, were denied bond today.
Federal Magistrate Andrea Simonton said Carlos M.
Alvarez, 61, and his wife, Elsa, 55, posed a flight risk if allowed to return to their South Miami home. ''I believe they would go back to Cuba,'' Simonton said.

The couple were arrested Friday by federal agents and appeared in Miami federal court Monday. They are accused of serving as foreign agents for Cuba without registering with the U.S. government, as is required by law.

Carlos Alvarez is an associate professor of educational leadership and policy studies. Elsa Alvarez is an administrator at FIU.

Assistant U.S. attorney Brian Frazier said that Carlos Alvarez had spied for Cuba since 1977 and Elsa Alvarez since 1982, and that they relayed much of their information directly to Cuba's intelligence director, using shortwave radio and the Internet.

The FBI said the evidence the couple provided Cuba's government focused on Cuban exile groups in Miami and that there was no classified or sensitive military information provided to Cuba. The couple also provided Cuban officials with the identity of an FBI agent.
If convicted, they face prison sentences of seven to 10 years. Another hearing is set for Jan. 19.

The couple, who have five children among them, including a 12-year-old daughter, is in custody at the Miami Federal Detention Center. The indictment, returned in late December, was unsealed this afternoon.

Their arrests come as a federal appellate court in Atlanta hears arguments next month in an unrelated Cuban spy case in which five men were convicted of espionage charges. The Eleventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will determine whether pretrial publicity in that case tainted the jury pool.

[FIUFan]

Hang'em by their toe-nails. ;D

[gpantera]

Does anyone agree with our FIU president attending the hearing as a symbol of support for Prof. Alvarez? As a president of FIU and community leader of a region so populated by Cuban exiles, I wonder how he justifies his decision.

[FIUFan]

Funny, as he is also an exiled Cuban American I too wonder what he's up to.

I mean I thought spies were hung or at least kept in prison to be used as a bargaining tool.

[FIUFanatic]

Perhaps he just considers him a personal friend...I don't know....From what it appears it's pretty evident that they live among us.....

[FIUFan]

Well, as far as I'm concerned friends don't do that to friends.

If I were Madique I'd be steamed as these people used their FIU influences as a tool for that despot. Still can't imagine what Madique's angle is supporting these traitors.

[FIUFanatic]

I understand and agree....

[FIUBlue82]

Maidique is steamed. However, Pantera, where did you read that he was "supporting" them by attending? I didn't. If you did, please post because there has been irresponsible reporting on some of this. Knowing Dr. Maidique as I do, I highly doubt he went there to proclaim the couples innocence. He is as anti-socialist as they come. He is caught in a strange situation having known the couple for some time and serving as president of FIU. But I DOUBT, as some allude to in the news, that he is going to come out and say they are innocent or proclaim that he was not fooled should the facts remain the same (the Alvarez' have admitted to acting as moles in the U.S. relaying back information on exile groups such as the Cuban American National Foundation).

Just to let anyone know that did not know already, the Cuban spies that lurk in the U.S. are very good at avoiding detection. In 2001, one of the lead analysts in the CIA, Ana Belen Montes, was arrested by the feds and later admitted to having been a spy for Castro for over 25 years. If the CIA was fooled for over 2 decades, I am sure we can understand how Maidique was fooled for the same amount of time.

My point to all interested people: lay off Maidique. He has yet to come out and state his personal position. Should he say that he supports the couple if they plead or are convicted, then comments about him supporting traitors would be warranted. Up to now, they are baseless.

Here is the Montes story: www.cicentre.com/Documents/DOC_Montes_1.htm .

In case you are wondering, yes, I believe the couple should be sentenced according to U.S. federal law should they plead to a deal or be convicted. Lets hope this does not shed more negativity on FIU.

[FIUFanatic]

Here is Maidique's first official reaction:

www.fiu.edu/pres/newsletter/january_06/jan10/


A Note from the President:

Like many people in the South Florida community, I was stunned Monday to learn that two Florida International University employees had been arrested and charged with acting as unregistered agents of the Cuban government. I have been friends with Carlos and Elsa Alvarez for many years and have known Carlos since before I became president at FIU. Both of them have been valued members of the FIU community for many years. My personal and professional interactions with the Alvarezes gave me absolutely no indication of any of the activities outlined in the indictment.

The charges are extremely serious. If the allegations stipulated by the U.S. Attorney are substantiated, this will constitute a very significant breach of university trust and values. The academic excellence of our institution is built on a foundation of service to the community and objectivity in teaching, research and professional service. Faculty and professional staff are pledged to uphold these values, which are intrinsic to FIU’s mission.

FIU has retained the services of former U.S. Attorney Roberto Martinez of the Colson Hicks Eidson law firm to advise the university during this time. Mr. Martinez is actively assisting the university in its full cooperation with federal law enforcement authorities. He is also conducting a thorough, independent review to determine whether any university policies or procedures have been violated. Mr. Martinez has not been hired to assist the Alvarezes in their defense as some media may have reported.

Our review is ongoing. To date, our review has allowed us to conclude the following:

FIU did not violate any federal and state procedures related to the funding of travel to Cuba.

No state dollars were used to pay for travel to Cuba.

No FIU students accompanied Professor Alvarez to Cuba under the auspices of any FIU program.

No FIU students were recruited by the Alvarezes to participate in illegal activity.

Following university policy, Carlos and Elsa Alvarez have been placed on administrative leave with pay. I ask that everyone interested in this case be patient. We at FIU are only now becoming aware of the full extent of the charges against the Alvarezes. The public can be assured that FIU will continue to fully cooperate with authorities and will take appropriate actions at the university level.

-- Modesto A. Maidique

[FIUBlue82]

Very good statement by Maidique.

I hope this situation is resolved quickly.

[gpantera]

mhfiu, you've called me out, so please allow me to respond.

In your post, you wrote, "knowing Dr. Maidique as I do." Your personal relationship to President Maidique is apparent by your emotional response riddled with misquotes, assumptions and unfounded accusations.

Please allow me to reset the facts so that our exchange may at least be based on the truth.


You ask the question, “Pantera, where did you read that he was "supporting" them by attending?” The answer is yesterday’s Miami Herald. Here is the link - www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/breaking_news/13588460.htm and here is the specific excerpt: “An indictment, returned in late December, was unsealed at their two-hour court hearing Monday, which was attended by the couple's four adult children, FIU President Mitch Maidique, a Catholic priest close to the defendants and numerous reporters.” Is his presence not a sign of support?

I never stated President Maidique supports their alleged espionage, the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, socialism or anything else for that matter. The local news claimed Maidique’s presence was to assure the court during yesterday’s hearing that the accused were not a flight risk. I was merely questioning Maidique’s decision to publicly support the accused in any way considering he, by his own admission in today’s official statement, was not aware of all the details surrounding the case. This fact coupled with President Maidique’s public position as university president made me question his decision. As a public servant, his public decisions are subject to public scrutiny, especially from caring alumni, don’t you agree mhfiu?

Moreover, you also wrote, “…he is going to come out and say they are innocent…” Other than you, who else on this board wrote that Maidique said they were innocent? I didn’t. Please reread my posting.

Mhfiu, you saved the best for last when you wrote, “lay off Maidique. He has yet to come out and state his personal position. Should he say that he supports the couple, then your comments about him supporting traitors would be warranted. Up to now, they are baseless.” What are you responding to here?! Did you read my post or did you watch some warped “me vs. the socialist world” documentary, get all worked up and then author your blog attack on me?

Listen mhfiu, I’m a fan of President Maidique, FIU and all those who support the gold and blue, so we’re on the same team. I suggest we all take a deep breath and forget this entire interaction went down.

Love,

gpantera

[FIUBlue82]

gpantera said:

mhfiu, you've called me out, so please allow me to respond.

In your post, you wrote, "knowing Dr. Maidique as I do." Your personal relationship to President Maidique is apparent by your emotional response riddled with misquotes, assumptions and unfounded accusations.

Please allow me to reset the facts so that our exchange may at least be based on the truth.


You ask the question, “Pantera, where did you read that he was "supporting" them by attending?” The answer is yesterday’s Miami Herald. Here is the link - www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/breaking_news/13588460.htm and here is the specific excerpt: “An indictment, returned in late December, was unsealed at their two-hour court hearing Monday, which was attended by the couple's four adult children, FIU President Mitch Maidique, a Catholic priest close to the defendants and numerous reporters.” Is his presence not a sign of support?

I never stated President Maidique supports their alleged espionage, the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, socialism or anything else for that matter. The local news claimed Maidique’s presence was to assure the court during yesterday’s hearing that the accused were not a flight risk. I was merely questioning Maidique’s decision to publicly support the accused in any way considering he, by his own admission in today’s official statement, was not aware of all the details surrounding the case. This fact coupled with President Maidique’s public position as university president made me question his decision. As a public servant, his public decisions are subject to public scrutiny, especially from caring alumni, don’t you agree mhfiu?

Moreover, you also wrote, “…he is going to come out and say they are innocent…” Other than you, who else on this board wrote that Maidique said they were innocent? I didn’t. Please reread my posting.

Mhfiu, you saved the best for last when you wrote, “lay off Maidique. He has yet to come out and state his personal position. Should he say that he supports the couple, then your comments about him supporting traitors would be warranted. Up to now, they are baseless.” What are you responding to here?! Did you read my post or did you watch some warped “me vs. the socialist world” documentary, get all worked up and then author your blog attack on me?

Listen mhfiu, I’m a fan of President Maidique, FIU and all those who support the gold and blue, so we’re on the same team. I suggest we all take a deep breath and forget this entire interaction went down.

Love,

gpantera

Pantera:

After re-reading my posting, I can see where you might take this as me blasting something you personally said. That was not meant to be the case. I apologize.

When I asked you where you had the read the post, it was an actual question. I had not read the article.

I posted that link because it is interesting that many in the local media have questioned why Maidique would show up. Basically, in my view, he was in a bad spot either way. That is why I said that my point was to lay off of the guy. I did not make that clear, for that I apologize. Just so that there is no confusion, I am modifying the posts.

I do think you took this exchange personally. But, it may be my fault for not being clear enough. I apologize.

[FIUFan]

gpantera said:

Does anyone agree with our FIU president attending the hearing as a symbol of support for Prof. Alvarez? As a president of FIU and community leader of a region so populated by Cuban exiles, I wonder how he justifies his decision.

Pantera, I don't want to beat a dead horse here now that you and mh have made up ;D but this post of yours was confusing to me as well. Though you clarified your comments in last night's post, you left most of us here under the impression that Mr. Madique was "supporting" these individuals.

Gladly that now appears not be the case.

[gpantera]

mhfiu, I love you man...or woman.
Again, we are the same side...just a silly miscommunication.
Please forgive me as well.