Three felony counts of unlawful compensation and one felony bribery charge based on allegations that the client received compensation from developers with matters before the CRA while serving as chair of an advisory committee.
A Pompano Beach community advocate and former Northwest Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee Chair was charged with three counts of unlawful compensation and one count of bribery. The State claimed he improperly received compensation from developers with business before the CRA while serving in a public capacity.
The defense centered on the statutory definition of a public servant. Counsel showed that the client was a volunteer advisory committee member with no salary, no binding authority, and no legal power to approve or deny anything. Expert testimony from a Ph.D. in public budgeting and finance reinforced that the commission routinely ignored CRA advisory recommendations.
Facing similar charges?