Posted on 09/15/2006 7:47:22 AM PDT by SmithL
Federal authorities said Thursday that they are investigating whether an Oakland elected official participated in a scheme in which a well-connected clothier near City Hall allegedly extorted money from a bidder for a city contract, promising influence with the official in return.
Authorities did not name the city official, who is referred to as "City Official A" in court documents. But a source familiar with the matter said the official is City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente.
According to the FBI, which conducted a 17-month public corruption probe, the clothier, 59-year-old Maurice Himy, told the bidder for the city contract that he had to pay for influence with "City Official A."
Himy was arrested by the FBI at his San Rafael home Wednesday on a criminal complaint charging that he interfered with commerce by using threats or violence. He appeared at the U.S. District Court in Oakland on Thursday and was granted release as long as he turned over his passport.
The investigation began when the bidder approached the FBI in April 2005 and became a secret informant in the investigation, wearing a hidden microphone and doling out cash he was provided by the agency.
The city official met with the bidder in person on at least two occasions to help him with his bid for a contract to auction city vehicles and surplus property, the FBI said.
The bidder did not initially win the contract, but De La Fuente and Councilman Larry Reid intervened on the bidder's behalf, said Oakland finance director Bill Noland. The bidder eventually received the contract.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
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