FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A jury found suspended Tamarac Mayor Beth Talabisco not guilty on all charges Wednesday.
Prosecutor Catherine Maus told the jury earlier in the trial that Talabisco was guilty of bribery and accepting unlawful compensation when she accepted $21,000 in shadowy political committee money from dirty developers Bruce and Shawn Chait in 2006.
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The Chaits have admitted that they bribed numerous politicians, including former county commissioner Josephus Eggelletion and former school board member Stephanie Kraft.
Maus said in exchange for the secret campaign money, Talabisco voted for the Chaits' controversial housing project on an old golf course, while at the same time tricking the public into believing she was "holding the developers' feet to the fire."
"She was playing both sides," Maus said.
Talabisco's defense lawyer, Larry Davis, argued that his client broke no laws and that, while there may have been sleazy politics in play, Talabisco was supportive of the development all along and that the late-hour Chait money -- which also included $7,000 more spent on a poll -- had no effect on her vote.
Davis said the real villain in the case was former county Commissioner Ilene Lieberman, who at the time was Talabisco's friend and mentor, and who he claimed pulled the strings behind the scenes, setting up the political committee.
"Ilene Lieberman is the picture of pay to play politics in Broward County," Davis said.
There is one last Chait investigation open, involving Broward County Commissioner Stacy Ritter, who accepted a golf cart as a gift from the developers.
State attorney Michael Satz released a statement Thursday saying his office was disappointed with the Talabisco verdict, but promised to continue pursuing government corruption.
It's unclear when or if Talabisco will resume her duties as mayor.
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