HomeMy Public PortalAboutLTC 079-2017 Bal Harbour Police Department - Arrest of Individual for BriberyBAL HARBOUR
- VILLAGE -
OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE MANAGER
To:
From: Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village Manager `
c,
Date: April 27, 2017
Subject: Bal Harbour Police Department - Arrest of Individual for Bribery
LETTER TO COUNCIL
NO. 079-201 7
Mayor Gabriel Groisman and Members of the Village Council
The purpose of this Letter to Council (LTC) is to provide you information regarding an
arrest made by the Bal Harbour Police Department (BHPD) on April 27, 2017, for the
charge of Unlawful Compensation or Reward for Official Behavior (Bribery).
The arrest was the result of an incident that occurred at the Bal Harbour Village Building
Department on March 13, 2017. On that date, a contractor approached a Village permit
clerk employee and requested the approval of documents and permits for construction on
a residence located in Bal Harbour Village. The contractor stated that he was several
months delayed in obtaining the approvals since he had procrastinated in submitting the
documents to the Building Department. He further requested that the clerk advise the
homeowner that all approvals would be completed by the end of the week. The clerk
refused, advising the contractor that she did not know how long the process would actually
take and that she would not misrepresent the timeline to the homeowner. The contractor
then left the Building Department only to return minutes later and entered the clerks work
space. He then handed her several documents for approval and a white envelope which
the clerk promptly observed, contained currency. The clerk immediately returned all of
the documents as well as the envelope and asked the contractor to leave. As he walked
away, he refused to take the envelope telling the clerk to keep it. The clerk refused and
followed the contractor, tossing the envelope at him as he attempted to exit the building
department.
The clerk promptly advised the Building Director of what had occurred, who in turn
contacted me as well as Acting Police Chief De La Rosa. An investigation into the incident
was initiated by the BHPD criminal investigators and after consultation with the State
Attorney's Office as to the facts of the case, an arrest of the individual was made. Once in
custody the suspect did provide the investigators with a statement as to his culpability in
the matter.
I would like to commend our employee who acted in an ethical manner. When I became
the Village Manager I put in place employee customer service training and ethical
standards. This employee's actions are a reflection of these improved guidelines.
LTC 079-2017: Bal Harbour Police Department - Arrest of Individual for Bribery
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If you have any questions or need any further information, please feel free to contact me
or Acting Chief De La Rosa.
JMG/MdIR/RI