Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper has been arrested and charged with three third-degree felonies including money laundering, official misconduct and exceeding the limit on campaign financial contributions.
Cooper's arrest on Thursday came after an undercover investigation by the FBI, according to a statement from the Broward County State Attorney's Office.
Cooper has been Hallandale Beach’s mayor since 2005. She is the city's first elected mayor.
If convicted on all three counts, Cooper could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. The Broward State Attorney's Office statement said Cooper had surrendered without issue and was expected to post bail of $12,000 Thursday afternoon.