LOS ANGELES
An executive at a San Luis Obispo-based real estate development company was arrested Monday on a federal grand jury indictment alleging he paid a local politician more than $95,000 in bribes and gifts, officials stated
In exchange, Ryan Wright got benefits for the company’s development projects. Wright allegedly covered up the bribery scheme by forging documents, according to the Department of Justice.
A federal grand jury indicted the CEO of a San Luis Obispo-based real estate development business for allegedly paying a local legislator over $95,000 in bribes and gifts.
Ryan Wright was arrested on Monday, according to officials.
In exchange for the bribes and gifts, Wright received advantages for the business’s development initiatives. Wright reportedly used document forgeries to conceal the bribery plot.
Wright, 37, a.k.a. “Ryan Petetit,” of Grover Beach, was arrested on a three-count indictment charging him with conspiracy, falsification of records, and obstruction of justice. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The indictment was returned on Oct. 4 and unsealed today.
According to the indictment, from at least June 2014 to May 2017, Wright conspired with his business partner, identified in court documents as “Co-Conspirator 1,” to bribe an elected official identified as “County Supervisor 1” with financial benefits, including money and gifts totaling more than $95,000.
In exchange, County Supervisor 1 advocated for Wright’s real estate development company’s projects and prospective projects with City of San Luis Obispo officials and voted for Wright’s company’s projects on the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors.
Wright, Co-Conspirator 1, and County Supervisor 1 then covered up the bribes by using County Supervisor 1’s consulting company to funnel and conceal bribe payments to County Supervisor 1.
County Supervisor 1 then provided false information on his 2015 and 2016 annual state conflict of interest disclosure forms, requiring him to report income he had received.
Through the consulting company, Wright allegedly paid bribes to County Supervisor 1 and flew him on a jet to watch a Major League Baseball playoff game hosted by the San Francisco Giants, the supervisor’s favorite team.
To conceal the scheme, in response to a federal grand jury subpoena served on his development company, Wright allegedly caused the company to produce falsified records for the FBI.
If convicted of all charges, Wright faces up to 35 years in prison.
The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating this matter.
Assistant U.S. States Attorneys Thomas F. Rybarczyk and Daniel J. O’Brien of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section are prosecuting this case.