NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio — A North Royalton contractor was indicted for allegedly paying cash bribes to a Cleveland building official, according to a news release from the Department of Justice.
Martin Fano, 69, was indicted on seven counts of honest services mail and wire fraud, according to the release.
Fano, who owned and operated ABC Construction LLC, did demolition work for the City of Cleveland, the Cuyahoga County Land Bank and private companies.
From June 2016 to January 2017, Fano paid bribes to Rufus Taylor, who served as the City of Cleveland’s Chief of the Demolition Bureau. Fano paid Taylor so he would use his position to make sure his company would be quickly inspected after completion and receive signed permits for the work completed.
Through his bribery, Fano was able to receive faster payment for demolition jobs, the release says.
Taylor pleaded guilty to bribery and extortion charges and will be sentenced later this year.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.
