UNITED STATES: A prominent Miami developer was arrested 2nd of March, 2007 for allegedly skimming official funds to buy himself a 150,000-dollar sculpture of a giant watermelon slice.

Raul Masvidal turned himself in to authorities after he was charged with organized fraud and grand theft.

Masvidal had obtained millions of dollars from the Miami-Dade county to build new offices for the Housing Agency, but used part of the money to buy the sculpture by artist Julio Larraz, according to an affidavit filed in court.

The sculpture, called "Mars", portrays a huge watermelon slice that has been bitten.

To hide the purchase, he allegedly asked an art broker to write a fake invoice that listed only a sculpture of stacked cups that was to grace the new building, but charged for both artworks.

The Cuban-born Masvidal had gained prominence in Miami as a political advisor, philanthropist and businessman.

"What a great disappointment," said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. "He turned on his community. He turned on his friends."