A third Florida mayor was arrested this month on charges of corruption, according to The International Business Times.
Homestead Mayor Steven Bateman, 58, joins the mayors of Miami Lakes and Sweetwater who are under federal investigation.
Miami-Date State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle told Local 10 Miami that Bateman was allegedly paid $125 an hour by a health care company that needed the city and county's approval for a sewer connection in order to build a clinic in Homestead.
He ran into legal issues after he failed to tell the government he was being paid by the health care company, identified as Community Health Care Solutions of Florida, Inc.
"It's another very sad day for the people of Miami-Dade County," Rundle told reporters at a news conference Wednesday. "At no time did Bateman disclose that these contacts were done for a private employer. That should have been done. We believe that enriching oneself by using the power and the prestige of an elected, public office not only enrages the community, but [also] -- more importantly and fundamentally -- it violates the law."
Bateman is out on bond following a court appearance on Wednesday. His lawyer said he was innocent of all charges, which include accepting illegal compensation and unregistered lobbying.
"Mayor Bateman looks forward to holding his head up high to continuing to serve his community and to obtain his ultimate vindication," Bateman's lawyer, Ben Kuehne, told CBS Miami.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott suspended Bateman from office on Wednesday afternoon, who was currently running for reelection. Homestead Vice Mayor Jon Burgess said the city will continue to cooperate during the investigation.
We're cooperating fully with the State Attorney's office. The team here has done magnificent things. As we move forward, I have full confidence that we will cooperate fully with anybody that asks and that the team here will move the city into a better spot now that we've been rid of what I consider a cancer," Burgess said.
Earlier this month, Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi and Sweetwater Mayor Manuel Marono were arrested on allegations of extortion.
