William Redden, Bribery of Public Officials, New York 2010

Rochester, NY – A former City of Rochester building construction inspector was sentenced last decade for accepting bribes in exchange for favorable contract awards, federal prosecutors revealed. William Redden, once employed by the city’s Department of Community Development, admitted to illegally profiting from his position of authority.

The case, investigated by federal authorities, centered around the Department of Community Development’s responsibility for demolishing hazardous structures within Rochester. Redden’s role as an inspector placed him in a key position to influence which contractors were selected for these demolition projects. According to court documents, Redden knowingly accepted bribes from contractors seeking to secure these city contracts, which involved federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The investigation initially led to charges being filed against Redden on July 15, 2009. He was charged via Information with one count of violating Title 18 U.S. Criminal Code, specifically 18 U.S.C. §666 – Bribery of Public Officials. This statute prohibits the acceptance of anything of value in exchange for influencing official acts. Rather than contest the charges, Redden entered a guilty plea, acknowledging his culpability in the scheme.

The scheme involved Redden accepting payments from contractors in return for ensuring their companies were awarded demolition contracts. The precise amount and nature of the bribes were not fully detailed in available court records, but prosecutors successfully demonstrated a clear link between the illicit payments and Redden’s official actions. The acceptance of these bribes undermined the integrity of the bidding process and potentially led to substandard work on vital city projects.

On July 23, 2010, Redden appeared before a federal judge and received his sentence. He was ordered to serve 12 months of incarceration, followed by a 24-month period of supervised probation. In addition to the prison term and probation, Redden was directed to pay $5,000 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, aimed at recouping a portion of the funds misdirected through the corrupt contracting process. The restitution order reflects the federal government’s commitment to holding accountable those who abuse public funds.

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Key Facts

Defendant: William Redden
Crime: Bribery of a Public Official
State: New York
Year: 2010
Statute Violated: 18 U.S.C. §666
Penalty: 12 months incarceration, 24 months probation, $5,000 restitution to HUD
Victim: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the City of Rochester.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for corruption within local government and the importance of robust oversight to safeguard public resources. The EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, while often associated with environmental crimes, occasionally collaborates on cases involving the misuse of federal funds related to infrastructure projects, as was the case here, highlighting the agency’s broader commitment to upholding the law.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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