Raul Sosa Sr. and Raul Sosa Jr., Federal Programs Bribery, Florida 2018
Crime Unfolds in Opa Locka
The city of Opa Locka in Florida is reeling from a corruption scandal that involves a bribery scheme to secure a towing contract. Two individuals have been brought to justice in connection with the scandal.
Defendants Plead Guilty
Raul Sosa Sr. and Raul Sosa Jr., the former manager of a Miami-based licensed towing company, and his father who had a pending agreement to buy the Towing Company, have pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to pay bribes in order to obtain a contract with the City of Opa Locka.
Court Documents Reveal Details
According to the court record, Sosa Sr. and Sosa Jr. conspired with then-Opa Locka City Commissioner Luis Santiago and his associate, Dante Starks, to pay Santiago and Starks a $10,000 bribe so that Santiago and Starks would use their positions and influence to ensure that the Towing Company was selected to receive a city towing contract.
Timeline of Events
The illegal agreement was finalized at an April 19, 2015 meeting between Sosa Sr., Santiago, and Starks, during which Sosa Sr. paid the first installment of the bribe and designated his son, Sosa Jr., as the person who would work with Santiago and Starks to carry out the illegal arrangement. Over the next month, Sosa Jr. made additional bribe payments with cash provided by Sosa Sr., and Starks arranged for an Opa Locka city employee to assemble and prepare the Towing Company’s bid package.
Cities Involved
The case involves the City of Opa Locka in Florida, where the towing contract was awarded in June 2015. The investigation led to the indictment of several individuals, including Luis Santiago, who previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit Federal programs bribery and Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right.
Sentence and Outcome
Raul Sosa Sr. and Raul Sosa Jr. are scheduled to be sentenced on August 6, 2018 before Judge Jose E. Martinez. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Edward N. Stamm and Maurice Johnson.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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