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Arturo Vega, 43, of Davie, was arrested this week on charges of official misconduct and unlawful compensation. He was
still jailed Tuesday night.
Vega works for the Florida Department of Financial Services.
According to an arrest warrant, Vega visited Pipe Designs Inc., 7710 NW 72nd Ave., in September. The company did not
have any Workers' Compensation coverage, Vega found.
Vega told owner Ronald Triana that he would lower the hefty penalty, between $27,000 and $30,000, if Triana gave him a
$2,500 money order with the payee information blank.
Triana's accountant later talked to Vega and agreed to give the inspector two separate money orders for $1,000 each,
both with the payee information blank. Vega reduced the penalty to $7,483.69, according to the warrant. One money order,
according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, was deposited into state coffers as payment to lift a work-stop
order against Pipe Designs.
Vega claimed the other check was to pay attorneys' fees -- but he really kept it for himself, FDLE alleges.
However, the pipe company's insurance provider had already complained to FDLE. Triana called Vega on a recorded line
monitored by FDLE Agent Kristen Hoffacker.
During that call, Vega promised 'he would provide a receipt for the attorneys' fees.'' Hoffacker later interviewed
Vega, who admitted to illegally taking and keeping the money order.
It was found, uncashed, in his house, agents said.
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A state Workers' Compensation investigator was charged with shaking down a Miami-Dade pipe company.