The City of Opa-locka is embroiled in controversy as King Leonard, the city’s building operations manager, was arrested on charges of bribery. As detailed in an arrest report, Leonard, 52, is accused of manipulating a proposal for the painting of the Sherbondy Village Community Center by ensuring a lower bid would win the contract — in exchange for a kickback.
Local 10 News reported that an arrest report revealed how Leonard and an unindicted city official met with a business owner in December to discuss the painting proposal. Unbeknownst to Leonard, the business owner was assisting authorities, and during their meeting, Leonard reportedly pressured the source to lower their proposal to $16,000 from $19,000, promising the sole winning bid if 'taken care of' him. Leonard is said to have specified, "a thousand a piece," indicating a demand for a $2,000 cash exchange once the project was approved.
The alleged bribery was not just verbal promises of municipal dealing. Leonard's call on January 12 to the witness, informing him that his company had been selected for the community center project, and the subsequent money exchange on January 16, were both captured on audio and video. According to NBC Miami, the $2,000 provided to Leonard originated from the police department's Public Corruption Section, evidence that the tentacles of the law were wrapped silently and firmly around the scheme.
Following his arrest, Leonard was taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center without incident. The city issued a statement post-arrest affirming its full cooperation with the investigation and urging patience from the public. "The integrity of our city government is of utmost importance and we are committed to upholding high ethical standards," asserted the city in a statement obtained by NBC Miami. This incident serves as a reminder that corruption can take root even in municipal power structures.
The full extent of the damage or disruptions caused by this alleged bribery scheme to the Opa-locka community is yet to be determined. However, the arrest signifies a strong commitment by authorities to foster an environment of integrity and accountability, working to eliminate practices that erode public trust in governance. Residents with information on this case or similar suspicious activities have been encouraged to step forward, to aid in the continual vigilance required to maintain the dignity of public service.
