Miami

Miami Beach Police, State Attorney Investigating Attempted Sexual Battery Allegation Against Commissioner Ricky Arriola

Arriola says there is "zero truth to the complaint in question"

Miami Beach Police are investigating an attempted sexual battery allegation that has been made against a city commissioner, sources said.

Public Information Officer Ernesto Rodriguez confirmed to NBC 6 Thursday that the department is working with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office on a case involving Commissioner Ricky Arriola.

Sources said Arriola is accused of attempted sexual battery by a woman who he was on a date with, but police would not release any additional information on their investigation.

A heavily redacted report said the alleged incident happened on Dec. 15 and was reported Wednesday.

Arriola sent a statement to NBC 6 saying there is "zero truth to the complaint in question."

"I was on a first date with a woman who I met on an online dating site. I felt that she had too much to drink over dinner and she was intoxicated, so I ended the date and went home," Arriola said in the statement. "She was upset with my decision, but I knew this was the right thing to do. Multiple witnesses who saw us that evening can confirm this sequence of events.”

Arriola, a Miami native and successful businessman, was first elected to the commission in 2015 for a four-year term representing Group Five. He was a prominent supporter of a proposal to stop alcohol sales on Ocean Drive at 2 a.m., which was voted down by a nearly two to one majority.

Stay tuned to NBC 6 on air and online for updates on this developing story

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