A complaint filed by the City of Miami Beach Inspector General alleging that the former supervisor of the Crime Analysis Unit (CAU), Clifford Sparks, a civilian employee at the City of Miami Beach Police Department, violated the Exploitation of Official Position and Prohibition of Outside Employment sections of the Miami-Dade County Conflict of Interest and Code of Ethics Ordinance, has resulted in a stipulation to Probable Cause.

A joint investigation showed that Mr. Sparks, in his capacity as supervisor of the CAU, facilitated the introduction between a lifelong friend and business associate, Richard Jerome, the owner of Crime Suppression Technologies (CST), and the MBPD with the goal of developing a software program for MBPD’s record management system, creating a potential financial benefit for himself.

Furthermore, Mr. Sparks admitted to using his subordinates to test CST software during work hours and maintaining close communication with Mr. Jerome, devoting between 15-20 hours per week, including city work hours, in furtherance of CST’s software development.

Additional joint investigation also revealed that Mr. Sparks failed to file required outside employment statements, disclosing the source of his outside employment, the nature of the work being done, and any amount or types of money or other consideration received during two tax years as required by the Miami-Dade County Conflict of Interest and Code of Ethics Ordinance.

Under the terms of the stipulated Settlement Agreement, Mr. Sparks has agreed to pay a total fine of $1,500 and accept a Letter of Instruction from the Ethics Commission.