FLORIDA – An official was charged with taking about $150,000 in bribes while working as the Roadway Lighting Coordinator for the Department of Public Works in Miami-Dade County, federal officials announced today.
Garfield Perry, 66, of North Miami Beach was charged with one count of conspiring to accept bribes from 2002 to 2009 in connection with programs receiving federal funds, committing extortion, officials said.
Perry oversaw the maintenance of more than 22,000 street lights in the county’s roadway system.
In return for the bribe payments Perry helped to ensure that lighting products used in Public Works’ projects were from the manufacturer who bribed him, officials allege.
He accepted bribe payments from a manufacture’s representative of about $150,000, authorities said. Perry allegedly told the representative to pay Perry’s debts, including paying for two home mortgages, one car loan, two home insurance policies, two car insurance policies and eight credit cards, officials said.
In addition, Perry accepted cruise vacations, domestic and international airline tickets, payments for hotels and theater tickets.
Officials maintain that Perry falsely certified to Miami-Dade County that he was not engaged in any outside employment and did not receive any gratuities.
If convicted, Perry faces a possible maximum statutory sentence of up to five years in prison.
Perry is scheduled to make a court appearance on Friday. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.