The two defendants accepted thousands of dollars in bribes and were arrested at their City Hall offices.
This was the final part of a two year public corruption investigation. In fact, Marono received more than $40,000 in bribes and Pizzi received $6.750, during the last two years. To have a proof of corruption, FBI created a fictional federal grant program.
At the federal court Miami, Marono was ordered to be held on a $250,000 bond and Pizzi on a $50,000 bond.
The defendants have been charged with conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right. They have not made declarations to journalists. On the same side, their attorneys said that “anything that we will be saying (…) will be said in court.”
Other two people, Jorge Forte and Richard Candia are involved in the alleged bribery schemes.
For the local governor Rick Scott, a fact was clear: “ This is disappointing…While we wait to see the evidence, the fact remains that elected officials must be held to the highest standard.”
