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South Florida

Opa-locka’s former city manager pleads guilty to corruption charges

David Chiverton
David Chiverton

As the FBI deepens its corruption probe into Opa-locka, the embattled city’s former manager David Chiverton has reportedly pleaded guilty to taking bribes from local businesses.

Chiverton pleaded guilty in federal court Monday after being implicated in a massive corruption scheme that saw city officials take payoffs from businesses for permits and utilities, according to a published report.

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He and Public Works Supervisor Gregory Harris, who also recently pleaded guilty, have both agreed to cooperate with the investigation as part of their deals, the Miami Herald reported.

The federal investigation in part unveiled Opa-locka’s dire financial situation. The city is approaching bankruptcy, and City National Bank of Florida recently declared Opa-locka to be in default on the loans it used to purchase City Hall.

According to the Herald, which cited anonymous sources, indictments of other major city officials are expected to follow. Commissioner Luis Santiago, Corleon Taylor — the son of Mayor Myra Taylor — and lobbyist Dante Starks have also been named as participants in the bribery scheme. [Miami Herald] — Sean Stewart-Muniz

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