Leila and David Centner, from Miami, are in the course of a authorized battle that if received, will maintain the mainstream and legacy media accountable for lies, defamation and leaving a metropolis devoid of a real present.
The Centners are entrepreneurs and philanthropists dedicated to creating lasting impression. Collectively, they’ve contributed thousands and thousands to charitable initiatives regionally and globally, with a powerful give attention to empowering underserved girls and kids by means of sustainable applications in training, housing and job coaching. Their philanthropic and enterprise efforts are guided by a shared mission; to uplift communities and improve lives. In the present day the Centners oversee a various portfolio of ventures throughout sectors together with training, hospitality, know-how, well being and wellness, health and retreats.
In September of this yr, the Centners filed a defamation lawsuit in opposition to The Miami Herald. Earlier than 2020, the Centners had been a celebrated couple for his or her philanthropic and charitable efforts not solely in Miami however overseas. In reality, that they had been celebrated by the media as “Miami’s Most Philanthropic Energy Couple.” So how did this lawsuit come to be, you may ask?
The Centners allege that The Miami Herald and several other of their reporters deliberately misrepresented the details of a proposed $10 Million donation to the Metropolis of Miami for a Sports activities Park that may profit the residents and guests of town.
In 2018, shortly after Leila and David moved their household to Miami, they co-founded Centner Academy, a college devoted to the cultivation of emotional improvement and the general well-being of the kids. With seasoned lecturers and an revolutionary curriculum that gives a strengths-based method, the pre-school by means of highschool college students are additionally despatched on a studying journey of the humanities, mindfulness, entrepreneurship, languages, synthetic intelligence, public talking, and so they additionally supply a sturdy STEM program.
Leila has been working because the CEO of the Academy, which opened its doorways in 2019. Since its opening, the Academy has given out thousands and thousands of {dollars} in scholarships and has obtained quite a few awards and accolades in addition to being globally acknowledged for its revolutionary curriculum.
The Academy had been reserving a uncared for metropolis park throughout the road for leisure sports activities occasions in the course of the college yr known as Biscayne Park as a result of proximity to the varsity. For many years the group had been involved in regards to the security of the park, and the Centners additionally shared these issues for potential dangers to the scholars and others.
The Centners noticed a chance to assist by providing to revitalize the land right into a $10M state-of-the-art leisure facility that may profit your entire group. This is able to be a present of affection for David as he needed to present again to town that he was raised in, beloved and formed him to the person he’s at this time.
In November of 2022, after addressing all issues of the group and metropolis commissioners, two agreements have been drafted and signed to maneuver ahead with the mission. The Donation Settlement made clear that the Centners sought to “donate” a “state-of-the-art leisure facility value at least ten million {dollars}” in Biscayne Park, “for the advantage of town, it’s residents and guests.” Whereas the License Settlement ensured that the Centner Academy might proceed to order the park throughout college hours, the varsity’s use needs to be staggered leading to steady public entry and use of unreserved program areas.
Going again almost ten years in Miami, the mark of the Centner’s kindness and love for serving to individuals and communities will be seen and felt. By way of many articles within the Miami Herald alone, yow will discover the assorted occasions that Leila and David stepped in to assist the individuals of Miami. In reality, it was up till 2021 when Leila started to query the Covid-19 vaccine, when the constructive reporting changed into unfavorable articles in opposition to the Centners. (Though this has not been confirmed, there appear to be no different causes for this.) It was then that the information outlet started bashing the couple, their opinions and political opinions. In a single article, they even reported their dwelling tackle together with an image of their dwelling. This brought on worry on this household, and to maintain their younger kids protected, they offered their dwelling and moved. The Herald ultimately eliminated the tackle from the article, however the harm was already accomplished.
Whereas the planning had begun on the Biscayne Park Sports activities facility, the Centners have been subpoenaed by State Police in 2023. This needed to do with a corruption investigation into Legal professional Invoice Riley and Metropolis Commissioner Diaz De La Portilla. Though Riley was an Legal professional that the Centners had used, they weren’t being accused of any wrongdoing.
The Miami Herald took it upon themselves to write down salacious and false articles accusing the Centners of egregious acts corresponding to a public land seize for his or her college, bribery and funneling cash. In a single article, they accused them of taking an immunity deal which by no means occurred.
The case in opposition to Riley and De La Portillo was ultimately dropped; nonetheless. no retractions have been made by the Miami Herald, and the Centner’s fame was already broken.
The Centner lawsuit in opposition to The Miami Herald and a few of its reporters is a legitimate case exhibiting how the lies and manipulation of the mainstream media can manifest hurt to individuals when excessive bias is utilized.
After The Herald continued to report false accusations in opposition to the Centners, they have been continuously bombarded with hate and vitriol from individuals at each flip. They’d no alternative however to withdraw their $10M donation. They’ve misplaced not solely enterprise alternatives but additionally alternatives to higher the group.
David and Leila have lived a lifetime of giving again and utilizing the blessings they’ve been given to learn the much less lucky.
The Centners, based on their courtroom submitting on September 12, 2025, are suing The Miami Herald and others for “Precise and presumed damages of at least $885 million, 25% of which the Centners pledge to donate to charitable causes.”
In a September 16, 2025, article by PR Newswire, the Centners gave this assertion…
“For Years, now we have devoted our time and sources to enhancing communities in Miami and past. We take no pleasure in suing the Miami Herald, the newspaper of my youth,” mentioned Miami native David Centner. “However the Miami Herald’s repeated false reporting has broken our fame, diverted sources, and undermined our capability to serve. We won’t permit this brazen and malicious takedown try to face.”
“This lawsuit isn’t just about us; it’s in regards to the little guys who don’t have the sources to face as much as media bullies.” mentioned Leila Centner. “We convey this swimsuit to defend the reality, our legacy, and our promise to the general public.”
