Three executives from a construction planning firm in San Francisco have been charged with bribing employees of the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI). Siavash Tahbazof, Reza Khoshnevisan, and Bahman Ghassemzadeh allegedly paid bribes to DBI employees in order to expedite and approve construction inspections and building plans. The charges include conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and carry a potential maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. The DBI is responsible for enforcing building codes for over 200,000 commercial and residential buildings in San Francisco. This case is currently under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Ward and Casey Boome.
Overview
Charges Against Construction Planning Firm Executives
Three former executives of a San Francisco based construction planning and design firm have been charged with bribing employees of the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI). The executives are accused of paying bribes in return for expedited and approved construction inspections and building plans.
Accusations of Bribing San Francisco Dept. Of Building Inspection Employees
Siavash Tahbazof, Reza Khoshnevisan, and Bahman Ghassemzadeh allegedly paid bribes to DBI employees to obtain favorable treatment when it came to issuing building plan permits and approving building inspections. The accusations state that the conspiracy began as early as 2003 and involved multiple city employees, including former DBI plan checkers Cyril Yu and Rodolfo Pada, as well as DBI building inspector Bernard Curran.
Details of the Alleged Scheme
The scheme involved the executives bribing DBI employees to expedite and issue building plan permits. This allowed them to bypass the usual submission and approval process for construction plans. The alleged bribes began in 2003 and continued over several years, involving multiple individuals within the DBI. The executives are facing charges of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.
Background
Introduction to the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection
The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) is a regulatory city agency responsible for enforcing building, electrical, plumbing, and housing codes in San Francisco. It oversees compliance with these codes for over 200,000 commercial and residential buildings in the city.
Responsibilities of DBI
DBI is responsible for ensuring that construction and building projects meet city codes and regulations. It reviews and approves construction plans submitted by contractors and builders to ensure that the proposed projects comply with the relevant codes.
Importance of City Codes and Regulations
City codes and regulations play a crucial role in ensuring the safety, functionality, and compliance of construction and building projects. They are put in place to protect the public and preserve the integrity of structures within the city. Compliance with these codes is essential to maintain the overall well-being of the community.
Submission and Approval Process for Construction Plans
Contractors and builders are required to submit their construction plans to the DBI for review and approval. The DBI assesses the plans to ensure that they meet the necessary codes and regulations. Once approved, permits are issued, allowing the construction projects to proceed. This process helps maintain a high standard of construction within the city.
The Accused Executives
Siavash Tahbazof
Siavash Tahbazof, 72 years old, is one of the former executives charged with bribing DBI employees. He is accused of conspiring to commit honest services wire fraud by paying bribes to DBI employees in return for their agreement to expedite and issue building plan permits and approve building inspections. The alleged conspiracy involving Tahbazof began in 2003.
Reza Khoshnevisan
Reza Khoshnevisan, 54 years old, is another former executive who has been charged with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. He allegedly paid bribes to DBI employees, specifically Cyril Yu and Rodolfo Pada, to expedite and issue building plan permits. The conspiracy involving Khoshnevisan is said to have started in 2012.
Bahman Ghassemzadeh
Bahman Ghassemzadeh, 38 years old, is the third former executive facing charges of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. He is accused of paying bribes to DBI employees, including Cyril Yu, Rodolfo Pada, and Bernard Curran, in return for the expedited issuance of building plan permits and the approval of building inspections. The alleged conspiracy involving Ghassemzadeh began in 2014.
Charges and Allegations
Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Wire Fraud
All three executives have been charged with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. This charge alleges that they conspired to pay bribes to DBI employees in exchange for favorable treatment in the form of expedited and approved construction inspections and building plans. If convicted, each defendant could face a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.
Specific Actions of Each Defendant
Siavash Tahbazof is accused of paying bribes to DBI employees, including former DBI plan checkers Cyril Yu, Rodolfo Pada, and DBI building inspector Bernard Curran, to expedite and issue building plan permits and approve building inspections.
Reza Khoshnevisan allegedly paid bribes to Cyril Yu and Rodolfo Pada for their agreement to expedite and issue building plan permits.
Bahman Ghassemzadeh is accused of paying bribes to Cyril Yu, Rodolfo Pada, and Bernard Curran to expedite and issue building plan permits and approve building inspections.
Timeline of the Alleged Scheme
The alleged scheme began in 2003 with Siavash Tahbazof, who initiated the conspiracy to pay bribes to DBI employees. Reza Khoshnevisan’s involvement started in 2012, while Bahman Ghassemzadeh joined the conspiracy in 2014. The alleged bribes continued over several years, with multiple individuals within the DBI being implicated.
Key DBI Employees Involved
The key DBI employees involved in the alleged scheme are former plan checkers Cyril Yu and Rodolfo Pada, as well as building inspector Bernard Curran. These employees are accused of accepting bribes in exchange for providing expedited and favorable treatment to the accused executives.
Legal Ramifications
Potential Sentences for Each Defendant
If convicted, Siavash Tahbazof, Reza Khoshnevisan, and Bahman Ghassemzadeh could each face a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. However, the actual sentence imposed would be determined by the court after considering factors such as the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence.
Considerations for Imposing a Sentence
When imposing a sentence, the court will take into account various factors, including the nature and seriousness of the offense, the defendant’s criminal history, and any mitigating or aggravating circumstances. The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines provide a framework for judges to determine appropriate sentences based on these factors.
Defendants’ Presumption of Innocence
It is important to note that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The allegations made against them in the information are merely accusations, and the defendants have the right to a fair trial where the evidence will be presented and their guilt or innocence determined.
Additional Charges
Separate Informations for Cyril Yu and Rodolfo Pada
Cyril Yu, 68 years old, and Rodolfo Pada, 41 years old, have already been charged in separate Informations with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. The charges against them allege that they accepted bribes in exchange for providing expedited and approved permits for building and construction plans.
Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Wire Fraud Charges Against Pada and Yu
In addition to the charges against the construction planning firm executives, Cyril Yu and Rodolfo Pada are facing charges of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. These charges stem from their alleged acceptance of bribes in return for providing favorable treatment to the executives.
Prosecution and Investigation
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Handling the Case
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Ward and Casey Boome. They are responsible for presenting the evidence and arguments in court and seeking a conviction against the defendants.
Involvement of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
The investigation into the alleged bribery scheme involving the construction planning firm executives and DBI employees was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The FBI played a crucial role in gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and building the case against the defendants.
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Contact Information
Northern District of California Main Office
- Address: Federal Courthouse, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102
- Phone: (415) 436-7200
- TTY: (415) 436-7221
San Francisco Office
- Address: Same as Northern District of California Main Office
Oakland Office
- Address: Same as Northern District of California Main Office
San Jose Office
- Address: Same as Northern District of California Main Office
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