Former St. Louis Building Inspector Pleads Guilty to Bribery Charges

ST. LOUIS, MO—Former St. Louis City Building Inspector Anthony D. Davis pled guilty to bribery charges for soliciting and accepting bribes relating to his official duties of inspecting buildings and issuing permits for buildings located within St. Louis City.

According to court documents, between May 20 and August 31, 2011, Davis accepted multiple illegal cash payments totaling more than $2500 in exchange for assuring that certain buildings pass inspection and issuing occupancy permits. Davis performed several acts in exchange for the illegal payments, including personally completing and submitting written inspection applications, approving electrical work while not authorized to conduct electrical inspections, handling inspections outside his assigned geographical area, and giving advice on how to conceal conditions that might arouse the suspicion of building inspectors.

Anthony D. Davis, St. Louis, pled guilty to two felony counts of accepting a bribe by an agent of an organization receiving federal funds before United States District Judge Henry Autrey. Sentencing has been set for January 22, 2013.

Each count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Reginald Harris is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.