money in hand.jpgLos Angeles officials have expanded their investigation into allegations of corruption at the city's building department after two inspectors were arrested last month on suspicion of accepting bribes, according to the Los Angeles Times.
If you find yourself involved in a situation like this, consult a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney immediately. A well-qualified defense attorney can advise you about the legal rights and options you have in fighting these types of criminal charges. White-collar criminal charges in Los Angeles often involve defendants with little or no experience in the criminal justice system. As such, they frequently attempt to talk their way out of trouble or think that by cooperating with authorities they can avoid criminal charges. This is rarely, if ever, the case. Your best bet is to speak to a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
A federal grand jury recently issued three subpoenas to the Department of Building and Safety as grand jurors are seeking personnel records for at least 11 current and former employees. The department is also the target of a lawsuit filed by University of Southern California fraternity Theta Xi that claims it faced retaliation after refusing to pay bribes to inspectors.
Officials initially believed the matter was limited to two men arrested last month, one of whom recently pleaded guilty to accepting $6,000 in bribes between November and January. He faces up to 10 years in a federal prison.
But a confidential informant told the FBI that bribes are a "systematic" problem at the department where not only cash, but free labor, materials and a vacation were needed for favor. The department employs more than 300 inspectors.
In a recorded exchange with one of the men, he told an undercover agent that he normally demanded $2,000 to sign off on a building permit. But because the construction project under discussion was on 97th Street, and outside of his territory, Gonzalez said he would need $2,500 so he could pay a "tribute" to the building inspector responsible for that address.
The Theta XI lawsuit alleges that one inspector failed the Greek organization's plumbing inspection 20 times after his request for a "bribe" was rebuffed. Approvals were held up as a result, the lawsuit states. Court documents also allege the inspector requested unnecessary blueprints and required the plumber to redo work that had been done correctly the first time.
If you find yourself involved in a situation like this, consult a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney immediately. A well-qualified defense attorney can advise you about the legal rights and options you have in fighting these types of criminal charges. White-collar criminal charges in Los Angeles often involve defendants with little or no experience in the criminal justice system. As such, they frequently attempt to talk their way out of trouble or think that by cooperating with authorities they can avoid criminal charges. This is rarely, if ever, the case. Your best bet is to speak to a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
A federal grand jury recently issued three subpoenas to the Department of Building and Safety as grand jurors are seeking personnel records for at least 11 current and former employees. The department is also the target of a lawsuit filed by University of Southern California fraternity Theta Xi that claims it faced retaliation after refusing to pay bribes to inspectors.
Officials initially believed the matter was limited to two men arrested last month, one of whom recently pleaded guilty to accepting $6,000 in bribes between November and January. He faces up to 10 years in a federal prison.
But a confidential informant told the FBI that bribes are a "systematic" problem at the department where not only cash, but free labor, materials and a vacation were needed for favor. The department employs more than 300 inspectors.
In a recorded exchange with one of the men, he told an undercover agent that he normally demanded $2,000 to sign off on a building permit. But because the construction project under discussion was on 97th Street, and outside of his territory, Gonzalez said he would need $2,500 so he could pay a "tribute" to the building inspector responsible for that address.
The Theta XI lawsuit alleges that one inspector failed the Greek organization's plumbing inspection 20 times after his request for a "bribe" was rebuffed. Approvals were held up as a result, the lawsuit states. Court documents also allege the inspector requested unnecessary blueprints and required the plumber to redo work that had been done correctly the first time.
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