GLOOM OVER MIAMI

THE CITY IS BATTLING A BUDGET DEFICIT, A CORRUPTION SCANDAL AND A DRIVE TO DISSOLVE IT INTO DADE COUNTY

The rules are different here is a slogan Miami has used to lure tourists. Unfortunately, city officials seem to think it applies to them as well. One of the mayor's chief foes, a Cuban-American multimillionaire, once offered to settle their feud with a duel in Central America. A few years ago, when city bureaucrats squabbled over jobs, voodoo dolls with tiny nooses began appearing at City Hall. And Miami officials were caught buying stolen designer clothing for pennies on the dollar in a scandal known as "Hot Suits."

Now Miami's tradition of unruly official behavior is finally bringing painful consequences. After...

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