Margate Commissioner David McLean pleaded not guilty to three counts of bribery, according to a federal indictment unsealed today, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported.
In January 2010, McLean agreed to help a shopping center owner get an occupational license and have a $2,400 lien released, according to the indictment.
In August of 2011, McLean rented a property in the shopping center and opened Dave’s Tiki Bar. The indictment alleges that in February McLean took the shopping center owner to City Hall to speak with city officials about obtaining the occupational license. In exchange for the meeting, McLean received a cash payout of $1,000 and was absolved of $8,000 he owed in back rent.
The indictment also says McLean and the shopping center owner attempted to manipulate the Margate Community Redevelopment Agency Board to illegally solicit funds.
Bail was set at $50,000. Prior to submitting his plea, McLean turned himself in at the FBI office in North Miami, according to his attorney, C. Edward McGee Jr. [South Florida Sun Sentinel] –Evan Bleier