City Inspector Charged With Taking Bribes

Chicago - A Chicago environmental inspector was charged Wednesday with accepting two cash bribes totaling more than $1,000 last month.

Michael Cease, a Dept. of Environment senior environmental inspector, is charged with bribery for allegedly accepting two cash bribe payments totaling $1,150, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. He was arrested Wednesday morning following an investigation by the FBI and the city Inspector General's office.

Cease appeared in U.S. District Court on Wednesday and was released on $20,000 unsecured bond, according to a release. A preliminary hearing was set for Nov. 4.

According to the federal criminal complaint, Cease repeatedly demanded money from two cooperating witnesses to overlook asbestos violations inside a property on the Northwest Side. Cease told the first cooperating witness -- a business and real estate property owner -- that in exchange for $600, he could get him a document from a construction company stating asbestos found in the basement was removed.

On a separate date, Cease told the other cooperating witness -- the business owner's assistant -- that he had to write a ticket on the property but would not issue it if he was given $900, the complaint alleges. He later reconsidered and brought the price down to $500. However, the business owner told Cease he could instead pay $550 if Cease could wait until Sept. 15.

In a recorded conversation, Cease told both witnesses the violation for asbestos would be placed in the system but dismissed by the Dept. of Revenue and they would not have to appear in court, according to the complaint.

After a final meeting in which Cease was given $550, two FBI agents followed him to a Chase bank at 5341 N. Lincoln Ave., where bank records show Cease's bank account received a $450 deposit, the complaint said.

If convicted, Cease faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.