Miami-Dade Inspectors Face Corruption Charges for Extorting Restaurants

Two Miami-Dade County health inspectors, Charles Bryant II and Craig Bethel, were arrested for allegedly extorting over $14,000 from restaurant owners by fabricating health violations and threatening to shut down their businesses. The investigation, dubbed 'Operation Grease Trap,' began in April 2024 after complaints from victims, leading to Bryant's initial arrest in May for similar offenses. Both inspectors purportedly used their authority to demand payments to avoid fines for non-existent violations, with some business owners feeling they were being robbed. The arrests highlight a broader issue of corruption within the county's regulatory system, prompting officials to seek additional victims and potentially more corrupt inspectors. Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz and State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle emphasized the need for community cooperation in reporting such misconduct. Restaurant owners are encouraged to report any similar experiences to designated hotlines.