The Grimy Times has uncovered a shocking case of corruption within the Miami Dade County Police Department. Yuri Millan, a former uniformed police officer, has pleaded guilty to accepting bribes in furtherance of an illegal pirate towing scheme.
According to court records, Millan accepted bribes from Oriel Ugardes and Jose Guim, his codefendants, between December 2013 and May 2014. In exchange for the bribes, Millan provided Ugardes and Guim with information regarding and access to MDPD accident scenes, where they would illegally solicit stranded drivers for business.
The plot was uncovered through the use of recordings by confidential informants, wire intercepts on Ugardes’s telephone, and the seizure of Millan’s police radio from Ugardes after investigators watched Ugardes pick the radio up from Millan’s residence.
Millan’s misconduct resulted in Ugardes and Guim illicitly acquiring more than $5,000 worth of business. In their own separate plea agreements, Ugardes and Guim also admitted paying thousands of dollars of bribes to Millan and another former MDPD employee, Public Service Aide Elina Rodriguez.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Lacosta. Mr. Lacosta commended the investigative efforts of the FBI Miami Area Corruption Task Force and the MDPD Internal Affairs Division.
Millan, Ugardes, and Guim are scheduled to be sentenced on April 14, 2016, in front of U.S. District Court Judge Darrin P. Gayles. Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and 3 years’ supervised release. The court may also impose a maximum fine of $250,000.
This case highlights the need for greater accountability within law enforcement agencies. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Related Federal Cases
- Bribes for Book Learning: Builder Nabbed in NY College Scheme · Massachusetts
- Venezuela Bribery Scheme: Business Executive Charged with $629,000 in Bribes · Texas
- Ohio Speaker Gets 20 Years for $60M Bribery Scheme · Washington
- Valve Exec Admits $1M Bribery Scheme · Washington
- Ex-Cop Ygnacio Valdez Cops to Cover-Up in $5M Miami-Dade LED Scam · Florida
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Public CorruptionPublic CorruptionPublic CorruptionPublic Corruption