Two Charged with Bribery

Bassam Salaheldein and Khaleel Eid were charged today by Indictment with conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery involving a local government agency, and conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. The indictment alleges that between October 13, 2010, and December 2, 2010, the defendants attempted to use bribe payments to convince a Philadelphia Police Officer to perform favors, including: obstructing justice in Eid’s pending criminal case; expunging Salaheldein’s criminal conviction; and fraudulently obtaining for Salaheldein a license to carry a firearm.

“Public corruption continues to be a major priority of this office,” said Memeger. “To the extent that people use corrupt means to influence public officials, this office will prosecute this type of illegal activity which can cause the public to lose faith in its officials.”

“The indictment returned today alleges that the defendants in this case thought that they could bribe police officials in order to circumvent the criminal justice system and bypass firearms laws designed to protect the citizens of Philadelphia,” said Special Agent-in-Charge George C. Venizelos of the Philadelphia Division of the FBI. “Our Public Corruption Task Force with the Philadelphia Police Department works to identify and prevent this type of activity.”

If convicted, each of the defendants faces a maximum possible sentence of 35 years’ imprisonment, a $750,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $300 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Philadelphia Police Department, with the cooperation of the Philadelphia Parking Authority. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joe Khan.

An Indictment or Information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.