Archive for July, 2007

Woman faces inspection bribery charges

July 19, 2007
BY BEACON NEWS STAFF
A North Aurora woman was arrested on bribery charges Wednesday stemming from an investigation in which she allegedly offered a city inspector $200 to overlook housing violations at a property apparently owned by one of her relatives.

Jahnnette Campos, 33, of the 2000 Block of Westover Road, allegedly offered the money during a telephone conversation on July 9.

The alleged code violations were at a home in the 400 Block of Hinman Street in Aurora and included an alleged out-of-code occupied apartment in the basement and non-compliance with city apartment registration ordinances.

A housing inspector found the alleged violations after the city received a complaint of a car parked on the property’s lawn, alleged over occupancy, and garbage cans in plain view, on June 21.

On July 9, Campos allegedly called a different housing inspector and different offered $200 to the original inspector to overlook the violations. Both inspectors reported the incident to their supervisor who then contacted police. The Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office authorized the felony charge on July 12 following an investigation.

July 20 2007 | Bribes | No Comments »

HUD official and real estate company owner sentenced for bribery scheme.

HUD Official and Realtor Imprisoned for Bribery Scheme

A former official at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the owner of a real estate company were sentenced for participating in a bribery scheme. The owner of the real estate company, Mr. Kailani, paid bribes to Karen Christensen, a Government employee totaling $80,300, including a BMW automobile. In return, Ms. Christensen sold Mr. Kailani 20 HUD properties for one-third of their appraised value. Mr. Kailani paid HUD $700,000 for the properties, which were appraised at $2.1 million. Mr. Kailani resold the HUD properties for $2.2 million. HUD paid Mr. Kailani $48,750 in real estate broker’s commissions in connection with these transactions. Ms. Christensen was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years probation, and was ordered to pay $1.4 million in restitution. U.S. v. Christensen, Cr. No. 99-1252 (C.D. Cal. 2000). Mr. Kailani was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years probation, and was ordered to pay $1.4 million in restitution. U.S. v. Kailani, Cr. No. 99-1253 (C.D. Cal. 2000). (Many thanks to the Federal Ethics Report for information about this case.)

July 03 2007 | Bribes | No Comments »