A former Broward high school debate coach who was accused of defrauding a debate tournament caterer is no longer facing criminal charges.

The Broward State Attorney’s Office decided this month to drop the felony fraud charges it filed in May 2024 against Dario Camara, 43, who was a debate teacher and coach at Western High in Davie.

Davie police arrested Camara in February 2024 after a business owner complained that he was never paid for nearly $16,000 for catering services that Camara had ordered for debate tournaments held on three dates.

But the evidence did not prove that Camara acted with the intent to defraud, Assistant State Attorney Erin Veit wrote in a Sept. 9 close-out memo.

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“The food was ordered for legitimate purposes, and Camara derived no personal gain,” Veit wrote. “The food was delivered to the school for several debates hosted at Western High. The food was eaten over the course of three separate events, by students, staff, and attendees.”

There was also no contract between Exquisite Catering by Robert, the vendor that provided the food, and the customer, the memo stated.

“The crux of the problem stems from an apparent lack of clarity as to the party responsible for paying the invoices,” Veit wrote.

David Wheeler, a lawyer who represented Camara, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel, “it looks like a civil case. Exquisite Catering really had no recourse, because any contract over $500 has to be in writing.”

Prior to Camara’s arrest, the vendor, Exquisite Catering, also filed a lawsuit related to the same issue against Camara and the Florida Forensic League, a state group that Camara had been affiliated with. The Florida Forensic League settled the lawsuit with Exquisite for $4,000, and the case was dismissed against the group and Camara, the close-out memo states.

Camara couldn’t be reached for comment, despite attempts by phone and text.

Davie police also investigated Camara on two other matters, which the agency were concluded with no charges. One involved allegations that he improperly used a former roommate’s identity to improperly withdraw money from a debate booster club account. Another involved allegations of inappropriate text messages between Camara and a minor.

He won’t face criminal charges related to either case, Officer Breanna Sibole, a spokeswoman for Davie police, told the Sun Sentinel. “Due to lack of evidence, the status of the case is closed with no charges filed,” she said.

School district police also investigated the allegation involving the text messages. But Camara resigned from the district in November before the district investigation was complete. He was placed on “do not rehire” status, the investigation stated.

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/09/16/charges-dropped-against-former-broward-debate-coach/