Today (Oct 18), Jose AGUIAR (51) 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 former Palm Bay Deputy City Manager David ISNARDI. 

 

As part of an agreement with State Prosecutors, AGUIAR entered the guilty plea with no sentence limitations, allowing the Court to craft an appropriate punishment. Judge Michael Linn accepted the plea and set sentencing for January 7th, 2022 at 9:00 am.  The State dismissed two other felony counts of RICO, and Conspiracy to Commit RICO.

 

Both AGUIAR and ISNARDI 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 while awaiting sentencing.