Miami-Dade Inspectors Arrested for Extorting Local Businesses

Public Corruption Bust

• 🚨 Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz and State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle announced the arrests of two county inspectors.
• 🎯 The inspectors are accused of targeting family-owned businesses and extorting them for cash.

Operation Grease Trap

• 💡 A tip from Shinju Japanese Buffet in May 2024 initiated an investigation into inspector Charles Bryant.
• 💰 Bryant allegedly threatened businesses with a $50,000 fine for a leaky grease trap unless they paid him $2,000.
• 🕵️ The investigation, dubbed Operation Grease Trap, linked Bryant to four other restaurants.

Wider Scheme Uncovered

• 🤝 The operation also uncovered alleged crimes by fellow inspector Craig Bethl, who is accused of shakedowns at eight local eateries.
• 💸 Investigators believe Bryant and Bethl took over $14,000 from local businesses.
• ⚖️ Both inspectors face multiple charges, including organized fraud and unlawful compensation.

Community Call for Information

• 📣 Officials are seeking other potential victims and any information about other corrupt inspectors.
• 📞 Business owners who believe they have been victimized are urged to contact the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office public corruption hotline.
• 🚫 Sheriff Cordero-Stutz emphasized that public corruption is a priority and will not be tolerated.