Sergio Pino : South Florida Developer’s Divorce Scandal Hits Headlines: Criminal Allegations Surface – NBC 6 South Florida

Expressing feelings of being “overwhelmed and distraught,” Sergio Pino, a well-known homebuilder in Miami-Dade, has been granted a postponement until January for a hearing scheduled to start on Monday in his divorce case with his wife of 32 years, Tatiana.

The allegations against Pino, which include accusations of poisoning, arson, and stalking, are part of an ongoing federal investigation that has led to the arrest of four individuals, including a man identified by Tatiana Pino as having worked on the couple’s yacht.

While Sergio Pino has not been charged with any crime, the FBI has confirmed conducting searches at the couple’s $8 million Coral Gables residence and his business offices as part of the ongoing probe.

Building Empire and Financial Wealth

Pino leads a prominent building empire in Miami-Dade, with much of his work falling under the umbrella of Century Homebuilders Group, touted as the largest Hispanic-owned homebuilder in the nation on their website. He has also held the position of president at the influential Latin Builders Association.

Despite the public image of a happy and affluent couple, cracks began to show when Tatiana filed for divorce in April 2022, after standing by Pino’s side at numerous formal events over the years.

If you encounter the term “Century” in a Miami-Dade development, it likely traces back to the Pino family, contributing significantly to Sergio Pino’s considerable wealth.

Financial Discrepancies and Divorce Battle

During a deposition in November 2023 for the divorce case, Pino presented conflicting financial statements, with one claiming a combined net worth of $359 million for him and Tatiana in 2021, while another indicated $153 million. Pino dismissed the larger figure as a “joke” with fabricated numbers, asserting the smaller sum as accurate.

The ongoing divorce case, now entangled in a federal criminal investigation involving four indicted individuals in what authorities term a “stalking conspiracy,” revolves around the question of Tatiana’s rightful share of the couple’s wealth.

One of the incidents central to the case is an alleged hit-and-run outside Tatiana’s Pinecrest residence on August 30, 2023, involving a rented Home Depot truck. The incident occurred as Tatiana returned from a divorce hearing and was captured on surveillance footage.

Allegations of Poisoning and Criminal Acts

Michael Dulfo, one of the indicted individuals connected to the Home Depot truck rental, reportedly confessed to being “contracted” to carry out the crime by someone linked to the opposing party in the Pino divorce case. Additionally, Tatiana identified one of the suspects, Bayron Bennett, as a former worker on the Pinos’ yacht.

The criminal complaint against Bennett alleges his involvement in the hit-and-run, as well as the torching of vehicles outside Tatiana’s sister’s home. Bennett purportedly admitted to soliciting others to commit crimes against Tatiana, without disclosing the identity of the instigator.

When pressed on the poisoning allegations during a deposition, Tatiana shared her belief that Pino had been attempting to poison her for years before the divorce filing. However, Pino’s attorney vehemently denies his involvement in any such conduct, citing the absence of concrete evidence.

Victimisation Claims and Ongoing Investigations

Both Pino and Tatiana have alleged victimisation during the divorce proceedings, with Pino recounting incidents such as threatening calls demanding a swift settlement, gunfire directed at him, and a car arson attack. Although these incidents were reported to the authorities, no arrests have been made.

Amid the escalating legal battles and criminal investigations, Pino’s attorney has emphasised his client’s innocence and devastation over the attacks against him and his family.

The four indicted individuals have pleaded not guilty and are currently in federal custody without bond. Attorneys representing them declined to comment on the ongoing case.