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Two Detroit building inspectors sentenced to probation for accepting bribes
DETROIT, MI -- Phil Lockhart, 57, of Detroit, and Delos Matthews, 54, of Farmington Hills, both employees in the Detroit building inspectors, admit to accepting bribes in exchange for "looking the other way" on code violations.
http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2014/02/two_detroit_building_inspector.html
Lockart accepted a $300 cash bribe to ignore the Detroit’s permit requirement for a residential construction project performed by a contractor," Attorney General Bill Schuette's office says. "Matthews accepted a $200 cash bribe to approve electric circuits in a rental property that did not meet electrical code and ignore other electrical code violations, creating a potential fire risk for future tenants."
Wayne County 36th District Court Kevin Judge Robbins sentenced Taylor to two years probation, the first 120 days on tethered house arrest, 25 hours community service and court fees; and Matthews to two years probation, 40 hours of community service and court fees.
On Aug. 29, Schuette announced the results of a probe into the Detroit inspections department that resulted in 17 charges and unveiled extensive bribery.
The bribes ranged from $50 to $3,000 and extend back as far as 2007; others are as recent as 2012.
“Public safety officials who accept bribes and ignore their duties undermine safety for everyone,” said Schuette in a prepared statement. “Detroit needs more safety, not less, and that starts with public officials doing their job instead of lining their pockets.”
MLive Detroit has requested the employment status of the charged employees from Mayor Mike Duggan's Office and had not received a reply as of noon Tuesday.
DETROIT, MI -- Phil Lockhart, 57, of Detroit, and Delos Matthews, 54, of Farmington Hills, both employees in the Detroit building inspectors, admit to accepting bribes in exchange for "looking the other way" on code violations.
http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2014/02/two_detroit_building_inspector.html
Lockart accepted a $300 cash bribe to ignore the Detroit’s permit requirement for a residential construction project performed by a contractor," Attorney General Bill Schuette's office says. "Matthews accepted a $200 cash bribe to approve electric circuits in a rental property that did not meet electrical code and ignore other electrical code violations, creating a potential fire risk for future tenants."
Wayne County 36th District Court Kevin Judge Robbins sentenced Taylor to two years probation, the first 120 days on tethered house arrest, 25 hours community service and court fees; and Matthews to two years probation, 40 hours of community service and court fees.
On Aug. 29, Schuette announced the results of a probe into the Detroit inspections department that resulted in 17 charges and unveiled extensive bribery.
The bribes ranged from $50 to $3,000 and extend back as far as 2007; others are as recent as 2012.
“Public safety officials who accept bribes and ignore their duties undermine safety for everyone,” said Schuette in a prepared statement. “Detroit needs more safety, not less, and that starts with public officials doing their job instead of lining their pockets.”
MLive Detroit has requested the employment status of the charged employees from Mayor Mike Duggan's Office and had not received a reply as of noon Tuesday.