The wheels have finally come off for two men at the center of a brazen liquor permit bribery scheme in Harahan, Louisiana. Zuhair Hamed, 51, and Jihad Hamed Hamad, 27, both of Gretna, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to bribe an agent of local government in connection with a program receiving federal funds.
The scheme, which was uncovered in 2012, involved Hamed’s efforts to obtain a liquor permit for his convenience store, Harahan Cheap Smokes, despite the police chief’s opposition. The police chief had repeatedly stated that he would not issue the permit due to the store’s proximity to a church, a prohibited distance under Louisiana law and Harahan city ordinance.
However, Hamed and Hamad attempted to grease the wheels by offering the police chief campaign contributions in exchange for approval of the permit. The police chief, who was not named, reported the matter to the FBI, which initiated an investigation.
According to court documents, Hamed and Hamad met several times with the police chief, discussed the liquor permit, and offered payments in cash, by blank money order, or by business checks payable to the police chief’s campaign. Hamed paid the police chief a total of $3,000 in two payments, one in cash, and one by means of a check drawn on the account of a business related to Hamed’s family member.
Hamed and Hamad each face a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years, a fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment on their pleas of guilty. Sentencing is set for October 31, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Attorney’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Eileen Gleason. Hamed and Hamad’s scheme is a stark reminder of the corrosive influence of public corruption and the importance of a robust system of checks and balances to prevent such abuses of power.
As the investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will not hesitate to take on even the most powerful and well-connected individuals when they engage in corrupt and unlawful behavior.
The fact that Hamed and Hamad were willing to risk their freedom and reputation in order to secure a liquor permit is a testament to the depths of their corruption and the lengths they were willing to go to achieve their illicit goals.
Related Federal Cases
- Jefferson Parish Inspector Admits to $3K Bribery Scheme · Louisiana
- Kim Williams Sentenced in FCI Petersburg Bribery Scheme · North Carolina
- Bribery Scheme Unraveled in Harahan · Louisiana
- Guard Recruiter Admits to $30K Fraud Scheme · Louisiana
- Holmes Sentenced for Bribery · Louisiana
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Public CorruptionPublic CorruptionPublic CorruptionPublic Corruption