On March 28, 2017, former City of Chicago Building Inspector Roberto Uribe was sentenced to a two year term of probation, including 6 months of home confinement during non-working hours, for soliciting a bribe from a building owner. United States v. Roberto Uribe, 16-CR-228 (ND IL).
In October 2016, Uribe pleaded guilty to one count of attempted extortion, 18 U.S.C. § 1951. In a November 9, 2015, undercover recording, Uribe then working as a Department of Buildings inspector was heard boasting of his ability to shut down renovation work unless the owner of a City property paid him $300. Uribe further explained to the owner that paying a bribe to avoid a permit for work on a front window façade would save money and benefit both of them and that obtaining a required permit, would delay work for six months and cost the owner thousands for an architect and plans. Uribe told the owner, “I’m looking out for you, we’re looking out for each other.” Earlier this year, following a separate administrative investigation by the Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG), Uribe resigned from the City in lieu of discharge and was placed on the ineligible for rehire list.
Uribe’s conviction and sentencing before U.S. District Judge Jorge L. Alonso is the product of a joint investigation conducted by OIG and the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.