Tahir Kazmi, Bribery, Michigan 2013
Tahir Kazmi, Former Wayne County Chief Information Officer, Sentenced to Prison for Taking $70,000 in Bribes
A former high-ranking official in the Wayne County government has been sentenced to 57 months in prison for taking $70,000 in bribes from a businessman with millions of dollars in contracts with the county.
Tahir Kazmi, 49, of Rochester Hills, Michigan, was sentenced on September 27, 2013 by U.S. District Judge Stephen J. Murphy, III, after pleading guilty to accepting bribes.
According to the sentencing documents, Kazmi accepted cash, trips to Hawaii, Turkey, and Florida, and other things of value totaling $70,000 between 2009 and 2011 from a county IT contractor who was overseen by Kazmi.
After Kazmi learned that the FBI was investigating Wayne County corruption, Kazmi engaged in a conspiracy with Wayne County appointee Zayd Allebban in an effort to obstruct justice and cover up the bribes received by Kazmi.
Five men have been convicted of corruption or obstructing the investigation into the Wayne County government so far, including Kazmi's Deputy Chief Information Officer, David Edwards, who was sentenced to 12 months in prison on September 6, 2013.
Kazmi's sentence sends a strong message that public officials who use their positions of trust to personally profit will be punished, said U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade.
Kazmi's bribery scheme was investigated by agents of the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David A. Gardey and Gjon Juncaj.
The case highlights the importance of holding public officials accountable for their actions and ensuring that they serve the interests of the people, not their own interests.
Mandatory facts: Defendant's full name is Tahir Kazmi, the exact criminal charges are accepting bribes, the city and state are Detroit, Michigan, the date of sentencing is September 27, 2013, the sentence is 57 months in prison and a $15,000 fine, and the dollar amount involved is $70,000.
Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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