BREAKING: Gastesi Seeks $127K Reimbursement After Completing Diversion Deal in Trauma Star Corruption Case
Former county administrator asks Monroe County to repay legal fees after felony official misconduct charge tied to Trauma Star investigation was disposed of.
KEY WEST, Fla. — Former County Administrator Roman Gastesi is seeking reimbursement of more than $127,000 in legal fees from Monroe County after completing a pretrial diversion agreement that resolved an official misconduct case tied to the Monroe County Fire Rescue and Trauma Star investigation.
In a May 1 letter sent to County Attorney Bob Shillinger obtained and reviewed by Above the Fold, Miami Lakes attorney — and Gastesi’s brother — Raul Gastesi argued that the former county administrator is entitled to recover $127,838 in attorney’s fees because the allegations against him arose from actions taken while serving as county administrator and were not to the benefit of a private interest.
“We are evaluating this claim in the context of the outcome of the underlying criminal case and the relevant case law,” Bob Shillinger said in a statement Friday. “We have not reached a position yet.”
Gastesi was indicted in August 2024 on one count of official misconduct — a third-degree felony — following an investigation focusing on alleged interference with an internal county investigation tied to Monroe County Fire Rescue and the taxpayer-funded Trauma Star air ambulance program.
Rather than proceed to trial, Gastesi entered and completed a pretrial intervention agreement, disposing of the case without a conviction.
Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward disagreed with the assertions made in the demand letter.
“Former Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi was properly indicted by a Monroe County Grand Jury for Official Misconduct. Mr. Gastesi was arrested and booked into the Monroe County jail. Mr. Gastesi retained competent counsel and entered into plea negotiations with the State,” said Ward. “Significant discussions were held between Mr. Gastesi’s defense counsel and the prosecutors regarding resolution of the case.
“At one point during those negotiations, discussions turned to the potential impact the criminal proceedings could have on Mr. Gastesi’s pension benefits.
“Mr. Gastesi became aware that the disposition of the case could affect those benefits. As part of the negotiations, a diversionary program — rather than an outright dismissal — was discussed, and Mr. Gastesi, through counsel, agreed to enter the diversionary program,” said Ward.
“This resolution in no way represented a “successful defense” as suggested in the former Monroe County Administrator’s demand letter to the Monroe County Attorney.”
After Gastesi completed the diversion program, prosecutors entered a nolle prosequi on Nov. 19, 2025, formally ending the case.
nolle prosequi (Latin: “we shall no longer prosecute”) is a formal declaration by a prosecutor that they are ending a criminal case against a defendant.
In practice, it means the state or government has decided to drop the charges and will not move forward with prosecution. It is not a finding of innocence or guilt, and it does not amount to an acquittal or conviction.
According to a Bill of Particulars filed by Assistant State Attorney Colleen M. Dunne on behalf of the Monroe County State Attorney’s Office, prosecutors alleged Gastesi, between Oct. 1, 2022, and Nov. 17, 2022, directed that an independent internal investigation into Monroe County Fire Rescue “be discontinued/stopped.”
The filing also alleged Gastesi used his “position/power/influence” as county manager to limit the scope of administrative disciplinary hearings involving Andrea Thompson, Heide McKaige and Michael Lopez.
The investigation had been arranged through the Monroe County Attorney’s Office and was to be conducted by the law firm Allen Norton & Blue, according to court records.
The allegations against Gastesi stemmed from a broader investigation into missing narcotics, alleged evidence destruction and misconduct within the county’s Trauma Star program.
In 2024, a Monroe County grand jury indicted Sandra Schwemmer and Andrea Thompson in connection with the investigation.
Prosecutors accused Schwemmer of official misconduct, providing false information to law enforcement and altering patient records.
Thompson faced multiple felony charges, including official misconduct, destruction of evidence, obstruction and fraud.
The investigation centered on allegations that former Trauma Star chief flight nurse Lynda J. Rusinowski stole controlled substances including fentanyl, morphine, ketamine and Dilaudid from the air ambulance system while falsifying records to conceal the thefts.
Investigators said the probe began in 2022 after Monroe County Fire Rescue discovered discrepancies in controlled substance logs and missing morphine syringes.
Authorities later alleged Thompson and another employee removed syringes and other medical equipment from Rusinowski’s vehicle that could have served as evidence in the criminal case. Prosecutors also alleged Thompson drove Rusinowski to a South Florida rehabilitation facility before she could be arrested.
The scandal triggered multiple indictments, internal investigations and administrative shakeups within Monroe County government and Fire Rescue operations.
It also caused a serious internal rift between Trauma Star partners MCFD and Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.
In the reimbursement demand, Gastesi’s attorney argues the dismissal entitles the former administrator to repayment under Florida case law governing public officials prosecuted over actions tied to their official duties.
The letter cites the Florida Supreme Court decision in Thornber v. City of Fort Walton Beach, which held that public officials may receive taxpayer-funded legal representation when litigation arises from the performance of official responsibilities and serves a public purpose.
Gastesi’s attorney also argues the allegations involved no personal financial gain or private benefit.
The reimbursement request points to prior Monroe County examples, including legal fee reimbursements approved by the Village of Islamorada for former council member David Webb in 2023 and former mayor Joseph Binder III in 2024.
The matter now moves to county legal officials and potentially the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, which may ultimately decide whether taxpayers will cover the defense costs.