Walter Eiseman, Bribery, Pennsylvania 2023

Pittsburgh Building Inspector Caught Red-Handed in Bribery Scandal

A brazen case of public corruption has come to light in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with the sentencing of Walter Eiseman, a 59-year-old former building inspector for the City of Pittsburgh. Eiseman was convicted of bribery, a charge that carries severe consequences for those found guilty.

According to court documents, Eiseman was responsible for performing inspections of properties that were the subject of applications for certificates of occupancy. In 2018, a developer was working on a project to redevelop a commercial building in downtown Pittsburgh as luxury apartments and hotel rooms.

The developer sought a historical tax credit, which would only be granted after the developer obtained a temporary certificate of occupancy for one of the project’s floors by the end of December 2018. Eiseman performed inspections on two floors of the project during the month of December, resulting in a temporary certificate of occupancy being issued.

However, Eiseman’s actions were not motivated by a genuine interest in performing his duties. Instead, he accepted home appliances from the developer in early January 2019 as a form of payment for his services. Eiseman also solicited a set of kitchen cabinets from the developer, which were ordered but ultimately not delivered to Eiseman’s residence.

On [undisclosed], Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Walter Eiseman, which includes 18 months of probation, 90 days of home confinement, a $1,375 forfeiture, and a $1,500 fine. Eiseman’s conviction serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of public corruption and the consequences that await those who engage in such behavior.

Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey R. Bengel prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Eiseman.

The people of Pittsburgh can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that justice has been served in this case. However, it is essential to remain vigilant and continue to root out public corruption whenever it arises.