A federal jury has convicted three former executives of a janitorial services company for conspiring to bribe a former DeKalb County and Georgia World Congress Center employee.
The jury found the executives of Alabama-based Rite Way Services guilty of arranging to make payments to the employee, Patrick Jackson, and then he allegedly used his position to help steer millions of dollars of contracts to the company, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
“This case highlights how public corruption offenses harm our communities,” said U.S. Attorney John Horn in a statement. “You have greedy company executives who seek an unfair advantage over their competitors, and a crooked public official who is willing to sell their power for personal gain.”
After a nearly two-week trial, the jury convicted former Rite Way CEO Anthony Lepore, 64; former Rite Way Regional Vice President John Rife, 66; and former Rite Way Division Manager Brian Domalik, 49, on Thursday. Each was found guilty of one county of conspiracy, 10 counts of honest services fraud and five counts of bribery.
The bribes amounted to more than $100,000 for Jackson's rent, utilities and a garage lease for a luxury Midtown apartment, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. In addition, payments were made for $24,000 in furniture for the apartment, $5,100 deposit for a party at the Waverly Renaissance Hotel and other benefits.
“The FBI, along with its law enforcement partners and federal prosecutors, will not tolerate those who interfere with or unduly influence the established and proper procedures of our public officials and the offices that they represent,” said George Crouch, acting special agent in charge for the FBI Atlanta Field Office.
Jackson, 55, pleaded guilty in April 2015 and was sentenced to serve four years and three months in federal prison.
A former division manager for Rite Way Services, Cecil Clark, 55, pleaded guilty in May 2015 to conspiring to bribe Jackson. He was sentenced to serve one year and five months in federal prison.
A sentencing date for Lepore, Rife and Domalik hasn’t yet been scheduled.
More information is available here.
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