| For Immediate Release March 9, 2007 |
Contact: Farrah Emami Spokesperson Office: 714-347-8405 Cell: 714-323-4486 |
COUNTY EMPLOYEE FACES CHARGES
FOR TAKING CASH BRIBES IN EXCHANGE FOR
EXPEDITING POOL CONTRACTS
SANTA ANA – A civil engineer working as a County employee at the Orange County Resources and Development Management Department has been charged with receiving bribes in exchange for speeding up the review process of swimming pool permit applications. Zeyad Mohd Kamel Faqih, 47, Corona, is charged with five counts of a public official receiving a bribe. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of eight years in prison. Faqih is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-5, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
Between November 9, 2006 and February 21, 2007, Faqih is accused of accepting monetary bribes from an independent construction contractor. He is accused of taking money on five occasions in exchange for speeding up the review process of pool permit applications. Faqih was arrested by Orange County District Attorney Investigators at his work.
Deputy District Attorney Andre Manssourian of the Felony Projects Unit is prosecuting this case.
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