Jury Starts Deliberating In Trial Of Suspended Miami Lakes Mayor

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A jury began deliberating Tuesday in the trial of suspended Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi.

They began deliberating at around 4:30 p.m. Earlier, closing arguments took place.

Attorney Ed Shohat said the government's case has "overwhelming investigative failings."

Pizzi was arrested in August 2013 on public corruption charges. The outspoken two-term mayor is accused of accepting nearly $7,000 in cash kickbacks during a FBI sting.

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Also snared in the sting were former Sweetwater Mayor Manny Marono and two lobbyists who have since pleaded guilty.

According to the their criminal complaints, the two mayors and two lobbyists accepted thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for championing purported federal grant applications for their towns.

However, the men reportedly intended to line their pockets with the grant money, according to FBI affidavits filed with the complaints.

Pizzi, who has maintained his innocence, claims he was set up by questionable FBI tactics and untrustworthy informants.

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