Cycle of corruption
The April 27 editorial, Breaking the cycle of greed in Opa-locka, was right on target.
It stated that many business owners become enablers to the crooked politicians and officials. They accept the terms established by corrupt officials and provide them bribes in return for licenses, approvals and contracts.
In addition to both requesting and providing bribes, these business owners are perpetuating the cycle of corruption.
In this specific instance, a business owner apparently felt after paying $30,000 in bribes was enough for a $150 license and went to the FBI to report it. Why didn’t he go to the authorities immediately after he was asked for the first bribe?
That would have been the proper action. Unfortunately, the corruption uncovered in Opa-locka is just the tip of the iceberg in South Florida.
And I can confirm that first hand, as I was involved in numerous corruption investigations. And because of its pervasiveness here, our economy suffers since so many won’t do business in South Florida.
If citizens and business owners stand up and don’t agree to pay the bribes and, instead, inform the authorities, we might be able to get break this cycle of corruption.
Michael Kesti,
Palmetto Bay
This story was originally published April 28, 2016 at 9:05 PM with the headline "Cycle of corruption."