(Analyst's note:  Troubling.)

WEST PALM BEACH — Authorities continue to round up the conspirators they say paid off at least seven examiners from the state license bureau in Delray Beach to get drivers licenses to more than 1,500 illegal immigrants.

Willy Adam, 52, of suburban Lake Worth, was booked Thursday afternoon into the Palm Beach County Jail.

He's charged with five counts of unlawful compensation to reward official behavior, a second degree felony; and two couns of conspiracy, a third degree felony.

This morning, Circuit Judge Ted S. Booras ordered Adam held in lieu of $145,000 bail and ordered he have no contact with the co-defendants.

Adam is one of six people believed to have bribed the examiners and one of three who had been at large since the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office arrested several suspects in mid-September, including seven examiners.

Investigators and prosecutors allege the "facilitators" generated fake immigration documents, then directed applicants to participating examiners, who would wave them through, often without requiring driving or written tests.

At $1,200 to $2,500 per license, the conspirators may well have pocketed several million dollars in total, prosecutors have said.

Assistant State Attorney Alan Johnson, Palm Beach County's public corruption prosecutor, told the judge this morning that authorities have been looking for Adam since issuing a warrant for him on Sept. 15. He said Adam is a permanent resident but not a U.S. citizen and is considered a flight risk.

Judge Booras agreed to Johnson's request for a "nebia" hearing. Such hearings ensure a person doesn't use ill-gotten gains for bail. But the judge declined Johnson's request that Adam surrender his passport, saying he'll leave that for the judge who presides over the nebia hearing.

Assistant Public Defender Cathy Iho said the bond was excessive and Adam would not be able to meet it.