ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orlando International Airport employee was arrested on suspicion of accepting bribes to allow illegal taxi services to pick up passengers, according to police.
Felix Garcia Madera, 50, of Orlando, is being charged with bribery, receiving unlawful compensation for official behavior, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and cheating for accepting at least $10 per trip to allow illegal taxi services to operate at the airport, according to an arrest affidavit.
On Dec. 20, an Orlando police sergeant saw a black Mercedes park on the curb, and Madera walk up to the vehicle, lean into the window and then leave, the affidavit states. The Mercedes then parked near a no parking, standing or idling sign, the affidavit states.
The sergeant saw the driver solicit passengers for an illegal taxi operation. After 10 minutes, the sergeant detained the driver, and issued a notice to appear in court for violating a city ordinance.
The sergeant asked the driver if he used Cash App. The driver said he did, and the sergeant saw on the driver’s phone about eight cash transactions with Garcia, with Garcia’s photo next to them.
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After a search warrant of Madera’s phone was obtained Monday, the sergeant met with Madera at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Traffic Enforcement break room. The search warrant was served, and Madera’s phone was submitted into evidence, according to the arrest affidavit.
Information regarding what happened after Madera’s phone was collected is redacted from the affidavit.
Madera was booked into the Orange County Jail Thursday evening. His bail totals $5,450, according to jail records.
He has been suspended without pay by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority pending the results of the investigation.
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