The former city manager Opa-locka and another former city official are facing corruption charges, authorities said Friday.
David Chiverton, who resigned as city manager last month, and former assistant public works director Gregory Harris, were both charged for their participation in a two-year long bribery and extortion under color of official right conspiracy, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.
Harris made his first appearance in federal court Friday. Chiverton is scheduled to appear in federal court on Monday.
Authorities say they conspired with an unnamed elected official to use their positions to "solicit, demand and obtain thousands of dollars in illegal cash payments from businesses and individuals in exchange for taking official actions to assist and benefit those businesses and individuals in their dealings with the City of Opa-locka."
In exchange for the payments, the businesses and individuals would be issued licenses, would have code enforcement matters waived or removed, or would get help with zoning issues, authorities said.
