(TEMPLE TERRACE) -- The community development director of a Tampa suburb is accused of using confidential information to help a friend win a bid, then asking for a favor in return.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says 54-year-old Amir Anisi gave an unlicensed contractor the price range for work on a racquetball court, then asked for a discount on a project at his house.
The Hillsborough State Attorney says the amount of the bid was only $18 thousand dollars and Anisi may not even face prison time if convicted, given state sentencing guidelines. But Warren adds that it's important to prosecute the case, no matter how small the amount. "Whether it's 100 dollars or 100 million dollars, this type of corruption is a violation of public trust."
Temple Terrace mayor Andrew Ross says he and city council will work on ways to keep this from happening. The case first came to public attention when a council member read an anonymous tip at a meeting. FDLE says the city manager is not a target of the investigation.
News Channel 8 has extensively covered the story since last summer. See their coverage here:
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