O.C. Inspector Is Arrested on Suspicion of Bribery : Investigation: Anaheim resident allegedly offered to speed the review process for a developer’s property in exchange for construction equipment.

A county grading inspector was arrested and jailed Monday on suspicion of seeking a bribe from a major home builder in the county, authorities said.

Inspector Robert Gilland, 46, of Anaheim, allegedly wanted high-priced construction tools and equipment from the Presley Companies in exchange for his help in speeding the review process at the firm’s Nellie Gail Ranch project in Laguna Hills, officials said. The inspector allegedly offered to make the Nellie Gail project a top priority, an official said.

With the aid of Presley officials, the Orange County district attorney’s office opened an undercover investigation into the case last month following a tip from a company supervisor, authorities said.

Gilland, an inspector with the county’s Environmental Management Agency for the last three years who has earned several in-house commendations, was arrested on suspicion of felony bribery by a public official, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Craig McKinnon. A conviction could bring up to four years in prison. He is being held in lieu of $10,000 bail, and could not be reached for comment.

However, Gilland’s wife, Linda, defended him. “I know he didn’t do anything wrong, but I don’t know anything more about this,” she said when reached Thursday afternoon. “There’s got to be a misunderstanding. He wouldn’t do anything like this--he’s a Christian man.”

L.C. (Bob) Albertson Jr., president of Presley’s Southern California division, said through a spokesperson that the company had no comment on the case.

Environmental Management Agency Director Michael M. Ruane said he is confident that the allegations against Gilland do not signal any broader problem within his agency, which is responsible for inspecting dozens of major projects each year in unincorporated portions of the county.

“We’re very saddened by the situation in terms of the arrest. . . . It’s really tough on morale,” he said in an interview. “But this is viewed as a very unusual situation, and there’s been nothing to suggest that it goes beyond this one person.”

Officials at both the county agency and the district attorney’s office said they knew of no other recent cases in which a local inspector had been charged with bribery.

While county officials would not comment specifically on Gilland’s duties at the agency, grading inspectors are generally responsible for ensuring that a developer’s leveling and reshaping of grounds for roadways, homes and other projects comply with permits that have already been issued. Grading inspectors seldom delve into safety issues, Ruane said.

Toward the end of May, authorities allege, Gilland first raised the subject with a Presley official of “expediting” approval of grading permits at the Nellie Gail custom homes--a major residential community in Laguna Hills that is nearing completion--in exchange for high-priced tools and construction equipment.

Among the tools allegedly discussed was a $1,200 power compressor, used to run power tools, McKinnon said.

Soon after Gilland allegedly made the initial offer, a Presley supervisor contacted county officials, who in turn brought the district attorney’s office into the case, authorities said.

Authorities then began an undercover operation, McKinnon said. During that investigation, Gilland allegedly made “numerous contacts” with the Presley company to pursue his suggestion, McKinnon said.

The prosecutor would not comment on whether any of these contacts were recorded or whether any tools ever changed hands. County officials said they did not believe that Gilland had issued any grading permits within the last month for the Nellie Gail project.

It does not appear that Gilland ever offered to falsify any grading inspections for the company, said an official familiar with the case. Rather, the inspector allegedly offered to make the Nellie Gail project his top priority and speed along its grading clearances.

“It sounds trivial, but in today’s financial climate, the timing can be crucial,” said the official, who requested anonymity. “Even a week matters.”

The district attorney’s office also said in a press release that its investigation “has revealed at least one additional developer from whom Gilland allegedly solicited equipment.” McKinnon would not name this developer, but said the criminal complaint to be filed against Gilland will probably include this additional allegation.