FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	

CRM

FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1998	

(202) 514 2008

TDD (202) 514 1888

 
FORMER BROWARD COUNTY HOUSING OFFICIAL


CHARGED WITH OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE AND EXTORTION COUNTS


 
	FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA  The former executive director of
the Broward County Housing Authority was arrested late Thursday
by federal and state law enforcement officials after being
charged with obstruction of justice and mailing threatening or
extortionate letters to federal and county officials.  The
indictment was unsealed today.

	Russell G. Barakat, 58, of Davie, Florida, was named in an
eight count federal indictment returned July 9, in U.S. District
Court in Fort Lauderdale.  In the indictment, he was charged with
one count of obstruction of justice and seven counts of mailing
threatening or extortionate communications to local and federal
officials, including an assistant U.S. Attorney in the Fort
Lauderdale office.

	Barakat held the position as executive director of the
Broward County Housing Authority until he was removed after he
was convicted of federal tax evasion in May 1996.   That case was
prosecuted by federal attorneys in the Fort Lauderdale office.

	The indictment was the result of a joint investigation by
the FBI and the Broward County Sheriff's office.

	Press inquiries should go to John Russell, Office of Public
Affairs, Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. (202) 514 2008.

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