Jose L. Alberto, the former lead code compliance inspector for Miami Beach, was scheduled to be honored by the city on April 11. Instead, that same day he found himself behind bars on charges that he had extorted a South Beach nightclub. Now, according to the Miami Herald, Alberto will plead guilty and could face years in prison.
Alberto and six other government employees were caught in a sting operation. They told the operators of Club Dolce that they'd ignore code violation and would let the club stay open in exchange for a $25,000 payout. The FBI got wind of the scheme and sent in an undercover officer to pose as the club's manager.
Two others arrested in the sting, Miami Beach fire department inspector Chai Footman and code inspector Vicente L. Santiesteban, have already plead guilty.
Alberto oversaw a staff of 43 for the City, but has racked up a troubling record during his nearly two decades with the city.
He had been arrested twice for cocaine possession, once for a DUI and petty larceny. He had been previously placed on probation three times. He was also arrested on simple battery after he allegedly swiped a Bluetooth headpiece from his wife's ear last year.
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