L.A. Building Inspector Took Bribes

LOS ANGELES (CN) - A longtime Los Angeles city building inspector took more than $30,000 in bribes for permits in Koreatown, federal prosecutors said.

Samuel In, 66, of Glendale, agreed to plead guilty to soliciting and taking bribes he disguised as fees, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. In worked for the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety for 37 years. He admitted taking the bribes, involving at least a dozen properties, from 2007 through 2010, prosecutors said.

He demanded, and got, a $5,000 bribe from one businessman by demanding that he write checks with the payee left blank. He said that checks make out to the Building Department would not be "useful," prosecutors said.

"As part of his plea agreement, In admitted that he solicited and accepted bribery payments totaling more than $30,000 in connection with his official duties in relation to at least 11 other Koreatown properties," according to the U.S. attorney's statement.

He faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Two other L.A. building inspectors have been sentenced to prison on similar charges.

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