Former City of Dearborn Employee Pleads Guilty to Accepting Bribes

Wanda J. Smith, 42, former employee of the City of Dearborn Building and Safety Department pleaded guilty yesterday to accepting bribes in return for issuing permits without charging the required permit fees.

United States Attorney Terrence G. Berg was joined in the announcement by Andrew G. Arena, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Defendant Smith admitted in federal court today that from the summer of 2006 until March 2009 , while working in the Permit Section of the Dearborn Building and Safety Department, she accepted in excess of $15,000, as well as discounted repairs to her home and automobile in return for issuing over 1,000 permits. Smith issued the permits without charging any permit fee, or at a greatly reduced fee.

Under the terms of the agreement, Smith faces a maximum penalty of 27 months and a $50,000 fine. She must also pay restitution in the amount of $29,000 to the City of Dearborn. Smith will be sentenced January 21, 2010 at 1:00 pm before the Honorable Julian Abele Cook.

United States Attorney Berg said, “Public servants owe a high duty of honesty and integrity to the citizens that should never allow the acceptance of money or services to avoid carrying out their official duties. We will continue to make such cases a priority.”

Special Agent Arena said, "Public employees who abuse their government position in exchange for money and favors undermine the trust and confidence in government. The FBI is committed to fighting public corruption at every level."

Mr. Berg commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Dearborn Police Department for their investigation and thanked the City of Dearborn for their cooperation and assistance. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela Thompson.