George Brown, a Miami-Dade County road lighting coordinator, was arrested Tuesday after he was accused of accepting bribes from a lighting contractor, a press release by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida indicates. Brown, 50, was booked into police custody on charges of accepting bribes in connection with programs receiving federal funds. It is unclear whether he qualified for bail bond. Reports did not say whether Brown has obtained a defense lawyer.
According to reports, Brown, of Hollywood, worked for the Department of Public Works in Miami-Dade County as a Roadway Lightning Coordinator. Brown managed the installation and maintenance of over 45,000 streetlights in Miami-Dade as part of his job, the release states. It is unclear how long Brown held the position; he appears to have been removed from the staff in light of the situation.
In 2011, a lighting contractor reportedly came to Brown with an offer: convince the county to use the contractors lighting products in exchange for various products. Brown allegedly accepted the deal and purportedly convinced the county to buy from the contractor. The contractor's identity is being withheld as part of the police investigation. It is not known whether the contractor will face legal repercussions.
Brown received a number of expensive products from the contractor in exchange for his help, according to the release. Among other goods, Brown allegedly received a 2.5-ton air conditioning unit and a Samsung stainless steel refrigerator. In all, Brown reportedly received over $13,000 worth of products from the contractor.
Detectives later learned of the scheme and confronted the contractor, reports say. The contractor began working with authorities and agreed to stage conversations with Brown, reports say. During a monitored conversation between Brown and the contractor, Brown reportedly told the contractor that their arrangement was a complete secret. In another conversation, the contractor and Brown allegedly struck a deal. Brown would convince the DPW to use $40,000 worth of the contractor's products for a project on 27th Avenue in Miami; in return, Brown would get $2,600 worth of merchandise. Brown was subsequently arrested.
Some types of illegal activity are more unusual. Michael Scott Barwick of Sarasota was arrested Sunday after he was accused of stealing a lawn mower by tying it to his bicycle, reports say. Barwick, 53, was booked into police custody on charges of felony burglary. It is not yet known whether he has qualified for bail or hired legal representation.