Building Inspector Sentenced for Bribe

A former Los Angeles city building inspector pleaded no contest to two counts of soliciting a bribe and was sentenced to one year in county jail and five years’ felony probation, authorities said Friday.

Bradley Andrews also received a suspended sentence of five years in state prison and was ordered to pay a $200 fine during a hearing Thursday at the Criminal Courts Building in downtown Los Angeles.

“I certainly consider this a serious case,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Dennis Poey, who prosecuted the case.

“He was a building inspector who solicited a bribe.”

Defense lawyer Jonathan Kissel said Andrews “had gone to his supervisors regarding the suspicious actions of a homeowner who eventually became an operative for the LAPD and the Department of Building and Safety,” but Andrews’ warnings went unheeded.

Although Kissel said Andrews had a defense for the first charge, the prosecution’s case was stronger for the second charge.

“A jury would be hard-pressed to find Mr. Andrews innocent in light of the compelling evidence if the second count was presented first,” Kissel said.

Last May, Andrews was arrested in the process of soliciting a $1,000 bribe during a police sting operation, officials said. He was placed on administrative leave with pay after his arrest, but later returned to a desk job with limited duties before leaving the department, officials said.

Andrews had been suspected previously of soliciting a bribe, but authorities were unable to prove the allegations, officials said. The inspector returned to his duties because no charges were filed against him.

Andrews worked out of a Reseda satellite office of the Department of Building and Public Safety and was responsible for inspecting residential properties in the West Valley, officials said.