What Happened to George Pino?
George Pino is a prominent South Florida commercial real estate executive, known for his extensive career and leadership as CEO of State Street Realty. His public profile recently shifted dramatically due to a high-profile trial stemming from a fatal 2022 boat crash that resulted in the death of a teenager and serious injury to another. As of June 22, 2026, Pino was found not guilty on charges of vessel homicide and manslaughter related to the incident.
Quick Answer
George Pino, CEO of State Street Realty, a well-known South Florida commercial real estate broker, was recently acquitted on June 22, 2026, of vessel homicide and manslaughter charges. These charges stemmed from a tragic boat crash on Labor Day weekend in 2022, which resulted in the death of 17-year-old Luciana Fernandez and left another teenager, Katerina Puig, with permanent disabilities. The trial, which began in early June 2026, concluded with the jury finding Pino not guilty.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Graduates from USC and Joins Kennedy-Wilson, Inc.
George Pino graduates from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and begins his real estate career at Kennedy-Wilson, Inc., a major real estate auction and commercial real estate management company.
Joins The Sands Group
Pino joins The Sands Group, the Real Estate Auction division for Fred Sands Realtors, where he was responsible for targeting auction marketing opportunities and conducting feasibility studies.
Co-founds State Street Realty
George Pino co-founds State Street Realty in Doral, Florida, establishing himself as a key figure in South Florida's commercial real estate market.
Multiple NAIOP Industrial Broker of the Year Awards
Pino receives the prominent NAIOP Industrial Broker of the Year award five times, solidifying his reputation as a top commercial real estate professional in South Florida.
Fatal Boat Crash in Biscayne Bay
George Pino's 29-foot boat, carrying 14 people, crashes into a channel marker in Biscayne Bay, resulting in the death of 17-year-old Luciana Fernandez and severe injuries to Katerina Puig. The incident occurred during a birthday celebration for Pino's daughter.
Charged with Misdemeanor Careless Boating
Pino is initially charged with misdemeanor counts of careless boating following the 2022 fatal crash.
Felony Homicide Charge Filed
Prosecutors elevate charges against George Pino, filing a felony homicide charge in connection with the deadly Biscayne Bay boat crash after a key witness comes forward.
New Manslaughter Charge Filed
Miami-Dade prosecutors file an additional felony manslaughter charge against George Pino, bringing the total felony counts to two, each carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 15 years.
Pino Pleads Not Guilty to New Charges
George Pino pleads not guilty to the new manslaughter charge and the existing vessel homicide charge, with his attorney arguing the manslaughter charge is redundant.
Pre-trial Hearing on Venue Change
A pre-trial hearing takes place to consider moving Pino's trial out of Miami-Dade County due to extensive media coverage, a request that was ultimately denied.
Trial Begins; Pino Has Emotional Outburst
The trial for George Pino on manslaughter and vessel homicide charges commences. On the first day, Pino experiences an emotional breakdown during opening statements, causing a temporary pause in proceedings.
Defense Rests; Pino Declines to Testify
The defense concludes its case, with George Pino opting not to take the stand in his own defense. The defense presented arguments related to a potential traumatic brain injury and amnesia.
Closing Arguments and Not Guilty Verdict
Closing arguments are delivered in Pino's trial. Later the same day, the jury finds George Pino not guilty on both vessel homicide and manslaughter charges.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
George Pino, SIOR, RPA, has established a distinguished career spanning over 30 years in the South Florida commercial real estate market. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of State Street Realty, a Doral-based firm specializing in office and industrial real estate. Prior to co-founding State Street Realty, Pino spent two decades as Senior Vice President at Flagler Real Estate Services/Codina Group, where he was responsible for the property management and leasing of over 4 million square feet of space. Throughout his career, he has been involved in significant lease and sale transactions, accumulating over $1.75 billion in sales and 30 million square feet in leasing transactions.
However, Pino's professional achievements were overshadowed by a tragic incident on September 4, 2022, when he was involved in a fatal boat crash in Biscayne Bay. Pino was piloting a 29-foot Robalo Center Console with 12 to 14 passengers, including his wife, daughter, and 11 of her friends, celebrating his daughter's 18th birthday. The boat collided with a stationary concrete channel marker near Boca Chita Key, ejecting all occupants into the water. The crash resulted in the drowning death of 17-year-old Luciana “Lucy” Fernandez and left Katerina “Katy” Puig, then 17, with severe and permanent physical and neurological injuries, requiring her to use a wheelchair.
In the aftermath, investigators found 61 empty or partially empty alcohol containers on Pino's capsized boat, though Pino told authorities he had only consumed two beers. He initially claimed he swerved to avoid a large wake from another vessel, a claim prosecutors later dismissed as a 'phantom boat,' citing GPS data that showed no evasive action. Pino initially faced misdemeanor charges of careless boating in August 2023. However, following new witness information, prosecutors escalated the charges in 2024, filing felony counts of second-degree manslaughter and vessel homicide against him.
The high-profile trial commenced on June 8, 2026, in Miami-Dade. During the proceedings, Pino's defense team presented an argument suggesting he suffered a traumatic brain injury and amnesia from the crash, which could have affected his memory of the events. Pino himself did not testify, and the defense rested its case on June 17, 2026. Closing arguments began on June 22, 2026, with prosecutors arguing Pino's actions were reckless and criminally negligent, while the defense maintained it was an accident.
On June 22, 2026, after deliberations, the six-person jury delivered a verdict of not guilty on both the vessel homicide and manslaughter charges. This outcome concludes the criminal proceedings against George Pino related to the 2022 boat crash. Despite the verdict, a civil lawsuit filed by Katy Puig's parents against George and Cecilia Pino remains pending.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if George Pino made different choices?