Two Miami Men Accused In Cash For Trash Scam

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A pair of Miami trash collectors were taken into custody after they allegedly tried to scam the daughter-in-law of a city commission.

It began when the woman who lives in the Roads neighborhood scheduled to have some debris picked up outside her home. This is a free service offered to taxpayers. When Robert Anderson, 29, and Lawrence Clarke, 51, showed to do the job they reportedly called the woman and told her it would cost $1,000, according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald.

When the woman said she couldn't afford that amount, it was negotiated down to $250.

Furious, the woman called her father-in-law, Miami City Commissioner Frank Carollo, who in turn called police.

Carollo himself then went to the home and paid Anderson and Clarke the agreed on amount, according to the paper.

What Anderson and Clarke didn't know as that the pay off was documented by anti-corruption investigators who were waiting down the street to arrest them.

During questioning both Anderson and Clarke confessed to asking for and taking the money, according to police. Each was charged with one count of bribery.

CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed to this report.