Former Miramar Commissioner Convicted of Bribery and Extortion

April 8, 2010 - Jeffrey H. Sloman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office, announced that defendant Fitzroy Salesman, of Miramar, Florida, was convicted late yesterday afternoon of two counts of bribery and two counts of extortion under color of official right. The jury acquitted him of two counts of honest services mail and wire fraud. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 8, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. before U.S. District Court Judge James I. Cohn.

The charges were the result of an FBI undercover investigation. According to the evidence presented at trial, the undercover FBI agents posed as "quasi" lobbyists, seeking to obtain construction contracts with local government entities for two undercover FBI agents who were posing as construction contractors. In July 2007, Salesman accepted a total of $3,340 to steer construction contracts with the City of Miramar to the undercover FBI agents. Salesman actually obtained two contracts—the construction of a gazebo and the renovation of a gym floor—for the undercover FBI agents. Among the evidence presented to the jury during the trial was a videotape of Salesman accepting $3,000 in cash from the undercover agents.

U.S. Attorney Jeffrey H. Sloman stated, “Yesterday’s verdict, combined with the previous guilty pleas of Josephus Eggelletion and Beverly Gallagher, sends a loud and clear message to public officials that “pay-to-play” in Broward County is over. Public officials who fail to heed that message will be vigorously prosecuted.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge John V. Gillies added, “This verdict demonstrates the FBI's commitment to bring to justice those who use their elected position for personal profit.”

Mr. Sloman commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service in connection with the investigation of this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey N. Kaplan and Neil Karadbil.