May 8, 2015

Bribery Charge Brought Against Miami Building Owner/Manager in Connection with Fire Code Violations

The owner and manager of the Miami Office Center, which leases office space and manages property at a location known as the Flagler Building Downtown, was charged today with one count of bribery.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Miami Field Office, and Rodolfo Llanes, Chief, City of Miami Police Department (MPD), made the announcement. Dvir Derhy, 46, of Miami, was charged by information with bribery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(2). Derhy faces a maximum possible sentence of ten years in prison for this offense. According to the information, the Flagler Building Downtown, located at 223 East Flagler Street, was cited for violations of the City of Miami fire code for blocking egress from the building. Derhy owned and managed the Flagler Building Downtown. Between July 18, 2014 and July 21, 2014, Derhy corruptly gave, offered, and agreed to give cash payments to another person, with the intent to influence and reward an agent or employee of the City of Miami Fire Department, in connection with the removal of these citations.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI Miami Area Corruption Task Force and the City of Miami Police Department Internal Affairs Section. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry C. Wallace, Jr.

An information is only an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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 District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.