Councilman whom Patel tried to bribe went to the FBI.
By Raif Karerat
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An Indian American businessman in East Cleveland was charged for attempting to bribe a councilman in that city in exchange for support in getting a liquor license.
Mukundkumar Patel, 52, was charged in a criminal information with one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, according to reports.
Patel began renovating the former bar area of his establishment into a Convenient Food Mart which would sell beer and wine, reported NBC affiliate WKYC. Doing so would require a liquor license, which requires a written application endorsed by the city of East Cleveland, according to the information.
Patel, 52, paid $4,000 to Council Vice President Thomas Wheeler on Oct. 24 and agreed to pay another $1,000 in six months with the hope that the councilman would approve a beer and wine license, according to Northeast Ohio Media Group.
Unbeknownst to Patel, though, Wheeler went to the FBI and wore a wire while accepting the money, authorities said.
“This councilman acted as we expect all public officials would and immediately reported a bribe offer to the FBI, who did great work following up,” U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach said in a news release. “The lesson of this case is simple: briber beware.”
The case is now slated for prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon following an investigation by the FBI.