Former Florida Trooper Charged in Bribery Scheme

A former Florida Highway Patrol trooper is facing federal charges for allegedly accepting cash bribes for selling confidential accident reports.

The ex-trooper, Kirk Chambers, pleaded not guilty this week to conspiracy and extortion charges. Prosecutors say Chambers took thousands of dollars in cash from tow truck drivers for information about car crashes and stranded drivers.

A tip began an FBI undercover investigation, in which a confidential source met with a tow company owner about a fictitious chiropractor seeking accident victim business. Chambers allegedly sold accident reports for $5,000 last fall. Those are confidential for the first 60 days after the accident.

Two city of Miami police aides and four other tow drivers were previously charged in a similar scheme.

Chambers was a trooper from January 2004 until his March resignation.