ORLANDO, Fla. — A judge denied bond Saturday for the former deputy city manager of Palm Bay and a businessman, who are accused of plotting to extort city officials and influence votes.

  • FDLE: Businessman wanted to influence votes in his favor
  • He worked with former official to come up with plot, agents say
  • David Isnardi, Jose Aguiar face racketeering, extortion, drug charges

Former Palm Bay Deputy City Manager David Dominic Isnardi and Jose Aguiar face racketeering, conspiracy to commit extortion, and drug charges, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said.

Isnardi turned himself into authorities Friday afternoon, and Aguiar was arrested in the morning.

According to the agency, its investigation into the pair began four years ago, with help from the FBI.

It said in February 2017, FDLE agents determined that the 48-year-old Aguiar, a local businessman, wanted to control city officials and influence their votes for his benefit. A news release didn't say what business he was in or what businesses he owned.

He then plotted with 59-year-old Isnardi to have a Palm Bay councilman arrested on drug charges, agents allege.

They also said the pair's plot included planning to plant hidden cameras in a home, inviting over prostitutes, and hoping to capture at least one Palm Bay official having sex with the prostitutes.

The pair would then confront the official to get their favorable votes on some issues, including Isnardi's job security and a rezoning on some property Aguiar owned that would increase its value.

"The whole purpose behind this plan is apparently to try and get some type of control over city officials by Mr. Aguilar, and be able to dictate some of their decision-making by elected officials," said Lee Massie, the FDLE Special Agent in charge.

FDLE and FBI agents started working on this case back in 2015. 

The agency didn't say whether any other officals would be implicated in the investigation.

Aguiar and Isnardi, both of Palm Bay, were being held at the Brevard County Jail.

Isnardi's wife is a Brevard County commissioner. FDLE says there is no evidence that she was involved.