City Officials Indicted on Bribery Charges

Twenty people, including 18 current or former Philadelphia city officials, were indicted in an alleged bribery scheme that cost the city more than $2 million.

Federal prosecutors say city workers accepted bribes in the form of cash and merchandise--including air conditioners, computer equipment, televisions, car alarms and microwave ovens--in return for helping the now-defunct AAA Electric Motors Corp. overcharge the city for repairs.

Lynne Abraham, the Philadelphia district attorney whose office investigated the case with the FBI, said city employees in five departments would take cash or merchandise equaling about one-third of the overcharged amounts, with the rest going to AAA.