A former city of Margate employee is under arrest and accused of theft and bribery in a kickback scheme. She is expected to appear in court today, where she is also expected to plead not guilty.
Authorities say 58-year-old Kim Liakos, of Coral Springs, was taken into custody in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, a week after a judge signed a warrant for her arrest.
Liakos allegedly arranged to get more than $33,000 in kickbacks, as well as repairs at her house, in exchange for giving builders contracts on city projects at inflated prices.
Police allege she is behind the city’s loss of nearly $1 million from state and federal grants intended to help low-income people buy and fix up homes.
Liakos, who served as Margate’s grant manager, is facing 11 counts including bribery, bid tampering, unlawful compensation and grand theft.
She is being held on preliminary bonds totaling $165,000.
Liakos was at an undisclosed hospital, but police tracked her down.