MIAMI (WSVN) - Former Opa-locka city manger David Chiverton appeared back in court, Monday.
According to officials, he has been cooperating with federal agents and admitted to being involved in a city hall scandal.
Back in March, dozens of FBI agents raided Opa-locka City Hall following a three-year investigation that alleged Chiverton and other officials pocketed thousands of dollars in illegal kickbacks from business owners for building, zoning and code enforcement favors.
He and his attorney spoke to 7News just outside the courthouse, Monday morning. “I’m just disappointed of the situation,” said Chiverton. “Today, I’ve just accepted responsibility. I just want to put it behind me and move forward with my life. It’s not something that is easy to deal with, which is why I’m accepting responsibility and going before the court to explain that.”
Chiverton entered a guilty plea in his federal court hearing. “He intends to cooperate fully with the government,” said Chiverton’s attorney David Garvin. “David has, unfortunately, been unable to stay out of that, and he has accepted responsibility for his conduct.”
According to the state attorney’s office, the 51-year-old appeared before a judge on bribery charges, last month.
Chiverton then resigned in July.
Also involved in this scandal is the Opa-locka assistant public works director Gregory Harris who also pleaded guilty to bribery charges.
The city’s vice mayor hopes other guilty parties will do the same. “Turn themselves in. Get it over with because if they’re guilty, and if the people have any evidence of that, they’re gonna come get you either way,” said Vice Mayor Timothy Holmes.
Opa-locka residents said they are ready to see someone pay the price for problems in the city. “It seems to be a pattern of corruption,” said one woman. “For whatever reason, nobody’s been persecuted or sent to jail or answered for the crimes that have been committed against this community.”
Harris is scheduled to be sentenced next month. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, plus three years under supervision. He may also owe a maximum fine of $250,000.
As for Chiverton, the judge scheduled him to appear back in court on Sept. 19.
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