Mayor Tried To Pay $4-Grand Fine With Pennies

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Miami-Dade County's ethics committee had the last laugh when Hialeah's mayor tried to pay his fine in pennies.

Earlier this year the commission accused and then found Mayor Carlos Hernandez guilty of "knowingly" lying to the community about his business dealings with Ponzi schemer Luis Felipe Pérez. He was ordered to pay a $3,000 civil penalty and an additional $1,000 to cover investigative costs, according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald.

This week the mayor decided to pay up and sent the commission a truck carrying 28 buckets filled with pennies. The pennies, however, were rejected because apparently the commission only takes checks, according to the Miami Herald.

When the Hernandez's people went to put the buckets back in the truck, they were told to leave them or else the police would be called. They left them.

The 28 penny-filled buckets ended up back at Hialeah City Hall on Thursday.

No word on if the mayor cut the commission a check.

CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed to this report.