This week, a former Miami-Dade County Public School employee was charged with accepting bribes. The announcement was made by Benjamin G. Greenberg and George L. Piro. The pair announced that 52-year-old Andres Barroso of Hialeah, Florida was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery in programs receiving federal funds.
The Florida resident worked as an electrical foreman for Miami-Dade County Public Schools when he was accused of committing the crimes. The charging document explains that Barroso had the authority to order various products on behalf of the school system. This included lighting products, such as lamps. When the order total exceeded $1,000, Barroso was required to accept competitive bids for the project.
A co-conspirator was an owner of a company that just happened to sell lighting products, including lamps and ballasts. It is alleged that the illegal behavior was initiated in or around 2013. At this time, Barroso is accused of purchasing lighting products from the co-conspirator on behalf of the school district. To ensure the co-conspirator was able to win the bids, Barroso allegedly provided him with inside information.
During Barroso’s time with the school, the co-conspirator was awarded more than 70 contracts with Miami-Dade Public Schools. Most of the ordered lighting products were delivered to the school. Some was not. Nevertheless, Barroso allegedly confirmed that all products were delivered. He subsequently submitted an invoice to the school requesting payment.
In some cases, Miami-Dade Public Schools paid for products that were not actually received. It is alleged that Barroso and the co-conspirator split the illicit funds. From approximately 2013 to 2015, Barroso accepted roughly $66,166 to assist the co-conspirator. At this point in time, the defendant is innocent until proven guilty.
Andres Barroso faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison as well as a fine of $250,000.