Margate City Commissioner Indicted on Federal Bribery Charges

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Michael B. Steinbach, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announced the unsealing of a three-count indictment charging David McLean, 50, a city commissioner for the city of Margate and a board member on the Margate Community Redevelopment Agency Board (MCRA), with bribery in connection with programs receiving federal funds. McLean made his initial appearance in federal court this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lurana Snow in Fort Lauderdale. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum statutory sentence of up to 10 years on each count.

The indictment charges defendant David McLean with three counts of bribery in connection with a program receiving federal funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666. More specifically, the indictment alleges that on May 25, 2012, McLean, while a Margate city commissioner, knowingly and corruptly accepted $1,000 in cash and an $8,000 release of back rent in exchange for his influence in connection with the award of a Margate occupational license (count one). The indictment further alleges that on November 2, 2012, McLean accepted $3,000 in cash in exchange for his influence in connection with a $25,000 MCRA construction grant (count two). Lastly, the indictment alleges that on January 30, 2013, McLean accepted another $2,000 in cash in exchange for his influence in connection with the $25,000 MCRA construction grant.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer stated, “Public officials who sell their office and their influence to line their own pockets with cash undermine the good work of all hard-working public servants who labor for the public good. That is why corruption in government, at any level, will simply not be tolerated.”

“Investigating public corruption remains one of the FBI’s top priorities. This indictment represents our commitment to investigate corrupt acts and the individuals who are behind them,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Scott A. Gilbert, FBI Miami Division. “We encourage anyone who may have information about corruption to come forward and report it.”

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Karadbil.

An indictment is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

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.