Today (Oct 2nd), former Palm Bay Deputy City Manager David ISNARDI entered a plea of Guilty to one count (1) of Criminal Conspiracy (Extortion) (F3) for his role in the effort to illegally influence Palm Bay city officials with co-defendant Jose AGUIAR. 

 

As part of an agreement with State Prosecutors, Judge Michael Linn accepted the guilty plea and sentenced ISNARDI to Five (5) Years of Supervised Probation, 60 days at the Brevard County Sheriff's Farm, and imposed a restriction prohibiting him from holding elected office or participating in political activities while on probation. ISNARDI also agreed to testify truthfully in future criminal proceedings involving AGUIAR, who is currently being prosecuted for RICO (F1), and Conspiracy to Commit RICO (F1) involving Extortion and Possession or Delivery of Controlled Substances. As a co-conspirator, ISNARDI's testimony will provide potential jurors a clear understanding of AGUIAR's motivation and intent to commit the charged crimes.

 

As part of the plea agreement, State prosecutors dismissed four other felony counts of RICO, Conspiracy, and Possession or Delivery of Controlled Substances that had been filed against ISNARDI. 

 

Both men had been arrested in 2019 after a years long investigation conducted by the FDLE and the FBI into allegations of corruption and influence pedaling surrounding former Palm Bay city officials.

 

AGUIAR is currently out of custody on $60,000 bond. No trial date has been set, however the case is set for a status hearing before Judge Linn on October 30, 2020.