November 10, 1998

NEW YORK STATE FOOD INSPECTOR ARRESTED FOR SOLICITING A BRIBE FROM ELMHURST C-TOWN SUPERMARKET OWNER

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown announced today the arrest of a New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets food inspector for soliciting a bribe from the owner of an Elmhurst C-Town supermarket.

District Attorney Brown identified the defendant as Steven Weiland, 46, of 69 Bismarck Avenue in Valley Stream. The defendant is accused of soliciting $300 from the complainant in order to issue a passing inspection for the proprietor's Article 20-C license (food processing license) which allows the owner to produce, store, sell and use his store merchandise. If convicted, the defendant could face up to seven years in prison. He also is charged with offical misconduct.

District Attorney Brown said that it is alleged that during an inspection at a C-Town supermarket located at 94-53 Corona Avenue in Elmhurst the defendant suggested to the owner that it would be beneficial for his license renewal if he could pay the defendant something for his time. The owner offered the defendant the sum of $300 to be paid at a later date. The owner then notified the C-Town Corporation which in turn contacted New York State Attorney General Dennis Vacco's office. Investigator Robin Jacknow, State of New York Office of the Inspector General, turned over the facts of the case to our office.

On July 14, 1998 at approximately 11:30 A.M., the defendant allegedly returned to the supermarket and received the sum of $300 from the owner of the C-Town, which would guarantee a passing inspection of the supermarket. On August 12, the proprietor did receive the Article 20-C license in the mail.

The arrest was conducted by Detective Richard Scantlebury of the Queens District Attorney's Detective Squad, under the supervision of Chief Investigator Edward Brady. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Robert C. Ciesla of the Integrity Bureau, under the supervision of Vincent J. Carroll, Bureau Chief and under the overall supervision of Robert D. Alexander, Executive District Attorney, Investigations.

It is to be noted that an arrest is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.