The government of Trinidad and Tobago, as part of a far-flung corruption probe, is seeking the extradition of three Florida businessmen -- two of whom live in Miami, The Herald learned Thursday.
That country's attorney general identified the men as Ronald Birk and Eduardo Hillman, former partners at Birk Hillman Consulting, a now-defunct Orlando firm, and Raul Gutierrez of Calmaquip Engineering in Miami.Attorney General John Jeremie described the extradition proceedings as ''far advanced'' for the three men, charged in connection with a massive bid-rigging scandal at Trinidad's Piarco International Airport.
Both Birk Hillman and Calmaquip received contracts to perform work on the Port-of-Spain airport project that prosecutors in Trinidad say was rife with payoffs and corruption. Prosecutors say $100 million or more may have been stolen.
Martin Raskin, a lawyer for Gutierrez, said he was unaware of any pending extradition order. Gutierrez was out of the country.
Raskin said Gutierrez is a ''minor participant'' in the Piarco scandal, which has fueled infighting among Trinidad's political factions.
He said Calmaquip won a $30 million contract as low bidder.
''Calmaquip is a very well-respected company that does business all over the world and with never a hint of impropriety,'' Raskin said.
Ronald Birk, a principal with Birk-Hillman, hung up on a Herald reporter when reached at his home in Hillsborough County. Hillman, who lives in Coral Gables, did not return a message left at his home number.
The Piarco investigation has already led to the indictment of several former government ministers and businessmen with ties to South Florida. They include former Finance Minister Brian Kuei Tung, accused of laundering kickbacks through properties he bought for daughters in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
