Lauderhill inspector held on attempted bribery charges

Click title for link. Below is a direct press release from the Broward County Sheriff's Office (BSO):

BSO ARRESTS BUILDING INSPECTOR FOR BRIBERY

BSO Case Number: BS08-12-03384

PIO Number: 08-12-27

Date: December 15, 2008

Time: 2:13 p.m. Jurisdiction: Broward County

Place of Occurrence: City of Lauderhill

Victim(s):

• State of Florida

Suspect(s):

• Vito DiBenedetto, 53, male, 7/9/55, 5630 SW 55 St., Davie (IN CUSTODY)

Description of Incident:

Broward Sheriff's Office detectives have arrested a City of Lauderhill building inspector for seeking bribes from a contractor in Lauderhill.

According to investigators, 53-year-old Vito DiBenedetto on at least two occasions solicited bribes from a contractor performing work in the City of Lauderhill. The suspect arranged to meet the victim after hours at various locations in Broward County and asked the victim for payment in exchange for his influence and service as a building inspector for the City of Lauderhill. DiBenedetto told the victim that he knew what it took to get a permit issued. Between July and August, 2008, the suspect accepted two payments of $5,000 each from the victim. During these transactions, DiBenedetto wore a City of Lauderhill shirt and a gold badge that showed "Chief Building Inspector." Detectives learned the suspect is employed as a building inspector for the City of Lauderhill but is not the chief building inspector.

On December 12, 2008, DiBenedetto contacted the victim again and sought payments of $10,000 for inspections. The victim contacted investigators and arranged a meeting with the suspect to take place on December 15. Detectives observed DiBenedetto accept the cash and took him into custody. The suspect admitted to taking the payments and said the payments were for a consulting fee.

DiBenedetto was booked into BSO's Main Jail. He faces charges of bribery, extortion by a state officer and unlawful compensation by a public official.

BSO detectives are continuing with their investigation and believe there may be more victims. Investigators are asking that anyone who may have been victimized by DiBenedetto to contact Det. Brad Stephenson at 954-888-5319.

MEDIA NOTE: A photo of the suspect is attached to this news release at www.sheriff.org.

INVESTIGATORS: Det. B. Stephenson, Det. M. Brimm, SID

THIS REPORT BY: Alesia Russell/PIO 12/16/08 1500