He Was Accused of Asking $1,000 : Court Rejects Reinstatement in Ex-Inspector’s Bribe Case

A former Santa Ana fire inspector, accused of demanding $1,000 to approve defective work at a construction site, lost a court bid for reinstatement Thursday.

James E. Galbert, fired on Sept. 30, 1986, failed to show his termination was unjustified, Orange County Superior Court Judge William F. McDonald ruled.

Galbert’s lawyer, Seth Kelsey, said he would appeal to have the decision reversed.

Galbert is accused of soliciting a $1,000 bribe for approving an underground fuel tank at 2000 E. Wilshire Ave. in Santa Ana.

Galbert told the project manager for Martin J. Kaska, Inc. that the tank did not comply with city codes, according to the file in the criminal case.

The manager, Robert Emilio, told police Galbert then offered some advice. “He said you have two options,” Emilio testified in a preliminary hearing. “Option number one is to dig up the tanks and expose the tanks and the piping and let me inspect it.”

“And option number two is to make it worth my while,” Emilio said that Galbert told him.

Galbert then suggested $1,000, and Emilio said he would have to clear it with his boss, according to court records.

Officials of the Montclair construction firm instead reported the conversation to police. Police told Emilio to call Galbert, agree to a bribe and set up a meeting at the site the next day, Sept. 17.

With police watching, Galbert took $1,000 in cash--which had been supplied by authorities--and was arrested, according to the criminal file.

He was fired by then-acting Fire Chief Ernest Hoeft two weeks later in reaction to allegations of bribery and falsifying records.

The city personnel board upheld the firing in March. In June, Galbert filed suit, alleging that his termination was not supported by evidence.

Kelsey said he had not been given notice of Thursday’s hearing. He said he would ask for a new hearing on his request for reinstatement.

Criminal charges against Galbert are pending.