Former West Kendall politician arrested on bribery charges

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Thu, Dec. 11, 2003

Former West Kendall politician arrested on bribery charges
BY KARL ROSS
[e-mail]

One-time West Kendall politician Robert Curbelo Jr. was arrested Thursday and charged with bribery and unlawful compensation following a three-year probe into his conduct as president of the West Kendall Community Council.

According to arrest records, Curbelo allegedly arranged a cash-for-votes scheme in which a former council member, Jacqueline Nunes, received compensation for voting in favor of zoning applications under consideration by the seven-member board.

Curbelo's attorney, Jose Quiñon, could not be immediately reached for comment.

Nunes told Miami-Dade police investigators that in one instance, Curbelo interrupted her 2000 family vacation to the Blue Ridge Mountains to ensure she would be present at a July 5 zoning hearing.

When Nunes protested she didn't have enough money to book a flight to Miami, Curbelo allegedly purchased a round-trip ticket for her on his personal credit card. Fourteen minutes before the start of the hearing, Curbelo called Nunes on her cellular phone and instructed her on how to vote, according to police. (snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/7468980.htm