Glenwood Pla, 50, of Miami, is staring down federal charges after being accused of taking more than $35,000 in bribes to rig procurement contracts at the Miami-Dade County Aviation Department. The former procurement specialist allegedly betrayed his post for years, funneling business to favored vendors in exchange for cold, hard cash.
Pla was charged in a criminal Information with bribery in programs receiving federal funds, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry L. Garber, entering no plea. A trial date has not been set.
According to the charging document, Pla was responsible for issuing requests for quotes (RFQs) for lighting products, collecting vendor bids, and awarding contracts to the lowest responsive bidder. Instead of honoring that duty, prosecutors say he tipped off co-conspirators when RFQs were issued—ensuring one of their companies would bid and win.
The scheme ran from approximately 2011 to 2015. One co-conspirator ran companies supplying lighting products and services to the Aviation Department. Another co-conspirator, acting on behalf, submitted winning bids for product sales—all allegedly greased by Pla’s inside influence.
In return, Pla accepted over $35,000 in U.S. currency, knowing the payments were intended to reward and influence his official decisions. The FBI’s Miami Field Office led the investigation, uncovering a trail of financial favors hidden beneath routine procurement paperwork.
“This case exposes how public trust can be corrupted from within,” said U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer, who commended the FBI’s work. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey N. Kaplan is prosecuting the case. The criminal Information is an accusation; Pla is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Court records are available at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Related Federal Cases
- 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
- Julio Rocha Pleads Guilty to FIFA Bribery Scheme · New York
- Hernandez, Beech Plead Guilty in Venezuela PDVSA Bribery Scheme · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Public CorruptionPublic CorruptionPublic CorruptionPublic Corruption