“An event has happened, upon which it is difficult to speak, and impossible to be silent.”

– Edmund Burke

Such is the truth in the latest scandal that shocked Florida when Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi and Sweetwater Mayor Manuel Marono were arrested by the FBI for accepting bribes in separate schemes.

To add insult to injury, Governor Rick Scott has now suspended both mayors, following their arrest at their City Hall offices, after a two-year public corruption investigation. According to NBC NEWS, two lobbyists, Jorge Forte and Richard Candia, has also been charge with conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right.While this is Marono’s third term and Pizzi’s second term, U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer has stated that Marono received more than $40,000 in bribes since 2002 and Pizzi received $6,750 in bribes.Elected officials are, and should be, held to a higher standard than anyone else. We elect them to their positions, put our trust in them, and expect results from them that will benefit those who elected them. The fact that Marono, who has already been electedTHREE times, accepted bribes since 2002 is troubling.It makes you think about who you can trust and who you can’t and, most importantly, how do you know?In our business, trust is key so we should take this as an example of when trust is given and isn’t followed through. We end up disappointed, hurt and find it hard to trust again. When we are dealing with clients this should be what is always on our mind.

Trust is tricky, and once its gone, it is very hard to get back, if at all.

Mayors Pizzi and Marono were trusted with their positions and they did not follow through. We should always follow through, however we can, because we are successful because of our clients, and vice versa so consider your client’s trust before anything.At PS Financial Services, a reverse mortgage company in Florida, we create a hospitable, trusting environment for our clients. They come to us, hoping to boost their cash flow during retirement, or plan for it, so it’s our job to insure their trust is rewarded.If you think a reverse mortgage is right for you, or simply want more information, let us know at (888) 845-6630 or email us at email us at info@PSReverseMortgage.com. We do not pressure those who inquire, we are simply here to help.