Riviera Beach Councilwoman Shirley Lanier is asking the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency to use public money to pay her attorney fees in an ongoing FBI investigation. Lanier says the investigation targets CRA projects, and she needs a defense to prove her innocence.
FBI Investigation Details
Lanier received a federal subpoena on February 24, and her deadline to respond has already passed. A federal grand jury is still working on the case, and Lanier’s attorney has stopped working due to non-payment. Lanier argues that the investigation involves actions she took in her official capacity and that the CRA has the legal authority to pay her attorney fees.
The CRA board did not agree to pay her attorney fees, and a motion to discuss the request died for lack of a second. Lanier previously sought legal fees from the City Council, which also failed to gain enough support.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
