This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Opa-locka Fla. • Amid an FBI corruption investigation, authorities say the Miami suburb of Opa-locka is teetering toward financial collapse.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez asked Gov. Rick Scott in a letter this week to place the city of 16,000 people under state control.
The Miami Herald (http://hrld.us/1rYf9V7 ) reports the letter warns that without state support Opa-locka's government faces complete shutdown.
State law allows the governor to step in when cities face financial emergencies, including a takeover of services. Opa-locka officials said at a meeting this week the city faces a $1.4 million shortfall plus millions in prior debts.
The letter comes as the FBI continues investigating corruption allegations against Opa-locka's mayor and several other top officials. Earlier this year agents raided city hall looking for evidence, but no arrests have been made.
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Information from: The Miami Herald, http://www.herald.com