CLEVELAND
Federal authorities allege that a East Cleveland businessman attempted to bribe a councilman in that city in exchange for support in getting a liquor license, announced Steven M. Dettelbach, U.S. Attorney in Ohio Friday.
Mukundkumar Patel, 52, was charged in a criminal information with one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, officials said.
“This councilman acted as we expect all public officials would and immediately reported a bribe offer to the FBI, who did great work following up,” Dettelbach said. “The lesson of this case is simple: ‘briber beware.’”
“We will not tolerate individuals believing they can circumvent the law by bribing a public official,” FBI Agent Stephen Anthony said. “The FBI commends the public official involved for adhering to his ethical principles by not accepting the bribe made by this business owner.”
Here are the allegation surrounding this case, officials said.
Patel began renovating the former bar area of McCalls into a Convenient Food Mart which would sell beer and wine. Doing so would require a liquor license, which requires a written application endorsed by the city of East Cleveland, according to the information.
Patel submitted a liquor license application. City officials told Patel they were not inclined to endorse his application but would consider his request after speaking with community stakeholders, according to the information.
On October 15, 2014, Patel met with an East Cleveland councilman and offered to pay $2,000 if the councilman would sign the application.
The councilman refused and Patel raised his offer to $3,000. The councilman again refused and Patel told the councilman to name his price, according to the information.
The councilman contacted the FBI to report the bribe solicitation.
On Oct. 23, 2014, Patel again met with the councilman, who was acting at the FBI’s direction. Patel offered the councilman $4,000 up front and $1,000 later in return for signing Patel’s beer and wine application, according to officials.
The next day, Patel and the councilman met again and Patel paid him $4,000 in cash. The councilman turned the money over to the FBI, officials said.
Patel is presumed innocent until proven guilty.