Immigration agent probed over bribes.

BY JAY WEAVER
jweaver@miamiherald.com

Authorities are investigating a Miami federal agent suspected of accepting more than $100,000 in bribes from a confidential government informant, according to several sources familiar with the probe.

The informant allegedly paid the bribes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Juan Martinez in exchange for his providing temporary parole allowing Colombians and others into the United States who were not entitled to the benefit, the sources said.

Martinez, who has been suspended without pay, is at the center of the federal investigation into his confidential informant’s alleged bribery payments, the sources said. Martinez, a former Miami police officer, has investigated Colombian cartels, paramilitary groups and other drug traffickers.

His attorney, Marty Raskin, declined to comment.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Ivan L. Ortiz-Delgado also declined to comment, saying the “Privacy Act prevents ICE from commenting further about the specifics of Mr. Martinez’s employment situation with the agency.â€