Delvin Thomas, Extortion, Florida 2024

Delvin Thomas, 44, a former chairman of the Riviera Beach Housing Authority, has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for soliciting a kickback. Thomas was also ordered to forfeit $9,400.

Thomas was the chairman of the Riviera Beach Housing Authority in 2019 when the agency was looking to purchase a parcel of real estate in Riviera Beach for use as low-income rental property. Thomas introduced a real estate broker to the person responsible for purchasing the property, who would serve as the buyer’s agent for the real estate transaction.

The Riviera Beach Housing Authority contracted to purchase the property, with the buyer’s agent set to receive a 3% commission on the price. After the contract was entered into, Thomas informed the buyer’s agent that he was to receive 50% of the commission.

At the real estate closing, the buyer’s agent’s company was paid a commission of $18,930, and Thomas reminded the agent about his 50% cut ($9,400). To hide the unlawful payment, Thomas contacted a third party who agreed to help.

The third party deposited two checks issued to the third party’s business bank account — one for $6,400, the other for $3,000. The checks falsely stated in their memo sections that the payments were for “Company Branding” and “Marketing Services.” Then, the third party issued two checks from that account to the account of Sire Development Group, LLC — a company owned by Thomas. Those checks falsely stated in their memo sections that the payments were for “Consulting Services.”

U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, announced the sentence imposed in West Palm Beach federal court by U.S. District Judge Kenneth A. Mara. The FBI Miami investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey N. Kaplan prosecuted it.

Thomas’s sentence serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability in public office. As the former chairman of the Riviera Beach Housing Authority, Thomas was entrusted with the public’s trust. His actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the public’s trust and a clear abuse of power.

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 at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

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