While serving on the jury of a federal criminal trial, Italo Campagna tried to bribe the defendant's family for $20,000 to convince other jurors to deliver a not guilty verdict and keep the man out of jail. Instead, now Campagna likely faces a jury of his own.
Campagna, 55, was a serving on the jury of United States v. Arturo Marrero.
Marrero, a Davie, Man, has been charged with smuggling cigarettes through the Port of Miami by hiding them with other cargo. His smuggling operation went on for more than 5 years, and he skipped out on paying millions of dollars of taxes and duties to the Government.
Campagna approached Marrero's father and brother one day outside of the U.S. Courthouse in Miami and slipped them a piece of paper with his phone number on it. He only said he had information about the case.
After a phone call, the brother arranged to meet Campagna in Miami Beach. During the meeting Campagna revealed that he was a juror, and said that other jurors were likely to convict Marrero. Campagna then claimed for a payment of something between $50,000 to $100,000 he could see what he could do about convicing the other jurors to deliver a not guilty verdict.
After a phone call, the brother arranged to meet Campagna in Miami Beach. During the meeting Campagna revealed that he was a juror, and said that other jurors were likely to convict Marrero. Campagna then claimed for a payment of something between $50,000 to $100,000 he could see what he could do about convicing the other jurors to deliver a not guilty verdict.
Rather then entertain the bribe, the brother called the FBI. The man agreed to meet with Campagna yesterday while wearing a wire. The two meet at the same Miami Beach location, and agreed on a price of $20,000. The two then walked to the brother's car to exchange the cash. The brother handed over what appeared to be $20,000 in a brown paper bag. That's when agents struck and arrested Campagna.
"The credibility and public confidence in our criminal justice system hinge on the integrity of individuals serving as jurors," says U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer in a statement. "If that integrity is compromised, then so are our efforts to bring criminals to justice. This case should serve as a stern reminder of the consequences that follow a breach of a juror's sworn duty to follow the law. We will prosecute these cases swiftly and vigorously."
Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.
