Broward County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion Jr. and former Miramar Commissioner Fitzroy Salesman were both arrested early this morning by FBI agents, according to the Daily Pulp.
School Board member Beverly Gallagher was also arrested, the Sun-Sentinel reported.
All three are accused of taking money in return for helping undercover FBI agents try to launder money and win county contracts.
Gov. Charlie Crist wasted little time taking action and has suspended Eggelletion and Gallagher from their post pending the outcome of their trials.
All three were in federal court this afternoon to formally hear the carges against them and post bond. They raced out of the courtroom to awaiting cars, with Gallagher having the most daring escape of those arrested.
The school board member raced up stairs as her family formed a blockade to stop camera crews and journalists from asking questions or taking pictures. One man, believe to be Gallagher's son, physically pushed back camera men who tried to make their way up the stairs to question Gallagher.
Authorities haven't released any details of arrests yet, but more public officials may be arrested today.
Salesman and Eggelletion aren't strangers to controvery or trouble with the law.
Salesman just got out of jail after serving a 30-day sentence for pulling a gun on a teen during a heated argument in a Winn-Dixie in 2007.
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The 52-year-old, who has a knack for avoiding hard time, beat the felony charge of aggravated assault with a firearm.
Salesman was also nabbed for disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer in a 1998 incident in a Miami bar, though he escaped prosecution. In 2005, he was busted for a DUI and felony fleeing and eluding the police, but a jury acquitted him.
Eggelletion likewise has a distinguished record of public service and a proven ability to beat corruption allegations.
The South Florida Times hinted last month that Eggelletion was close to being indicted on corruption charges after taking an expensive golf membership from a powerful developer.
The 60-year-old former teacher was cleared of any wrongdoing in 2003 when he used a government-issued credit card to buy $3,300 worth of personal items. Two years later he paid a $2,500 fine to the state Ethics Commission after he was found to be working as a lobbyist at the same time he was a county commissioner.
In 2007, it was alleged that a construction company paid Eggelletion's $8,000 yearly membership dues to a country club. Projects by the construction company frequently came up for vote before the commission.
Eggelletion's personal life is also rife with scandal.
The pernicious pol has an illegitimate son he fathered with a former high school student of his from Fort Lauderdale's Dillard High. The former student unsuccessfully sued him in 2004 for child support.
Earlier this month, the Miami Herald reported that Gallagher was taking six weeks off amid rumors that she was under investigation. Gallagher had cited a severe illness as her reason for the time off.
"This is a sad day for the School Board of Broward County, our district's employees and their students," said Broward Teachers Union President Patrick Santeramo in a statement.
Meanwhile, Miramar Mayor Lori Moseley was shocked to hear the news of Salesman's arrest.
"Oh my goodness, that's terrible for my city," Moseley told the Sun-Sentinel. "But at least he's not in office at the moment."
