The Region : Paid Florida Trip Prompts Miami Suit

City commissioners in Miami have voted to sue Santa Monica over the case of a convicted sex offender who was given a one-way plane ticket to Miami by the Santa Monica police chief. “If we don’t stand up and set an example, we are destined to have this happen over and over and over,” said Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre. “You cannot without impunity take an individual who is a rapist, with an extensive criminal record, and just ship him to Miami, Fla.” The commissioners also voted to complain “vehemently” to the National League of Cities, the International City Management Assn. and the National Council of Mayors. Told of the suit, Santa Monica City Atty. Robert Myers said: “The City of Miami is engaging in immature and foolish conduct. If Miami wants to waste tax funds to engage in meaningless litigation, they are free to do so.”