Former Miami Chief Exposito Wore Wire in Unsuccessful Criminal Probe

Miami prosecutors concluded that the administration committed no crime in offering a financial “buy-out” package to Miguel Exposito. The former Miami police chief who continually argued with the city’s mayor, secretly wore an FBI wire to try to implicate officials in what he thought was an attempt to bribe or extort him into leaving office. The FBI declined to bring any charges and passed the case to state authorities. Miami-Dade prosecutors concluded that the city’s proposed $400,000 alleged “buy-out” of Exposito in January 2011 was just an attempt at a legitimate severance package. Mayor Tomas Regalado’s role in the buy-out negotiations and efforts to oust the chief did not violate the city’s charter, which would have been a misdemeanor. For more information go to the Miami Herald.