Former Miramar Commissioner Fitzroy Salesman Indicted

Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting 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 the filing of an Indictment charging Fitzroy Salesman, 52, of Miramar, Florida, with committing mail fraud by depriving the citizens of his honest services, extortion under color of official right, and bribery in programs receiving federal funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341, 1346, 1951, and 666, respectively. Salesman was arrested on September 23, 2009 on a criminal complaint in connection with these charges. He was released on a $200,000 personal surety bond.

As set forth in the Indictment, the charges are a result of an FBI undercover investigation. 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. From April 2006 through July 2007, Salesman accepted a total of $4,340 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.

Acting U.S. Attorney Jeffrey H. Sloman stated, “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to rooting out corrupt politicians as well as those who betray the public’s trust for their personal gain. Public corruption is like a cancer that spreads and infects everything around it.In order to regain the public’s trust and restore integrity and transparency to our institutions, corruption must be completely eradicated.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge John V. Gillies added, “Public officials are entrusted to represent the best interests of their constituents, not use their office for personal gain. The FBI has a firm commitment to investigate those who illegally enrich themselves at the expense of those they are supposed to serve.”

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.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.