Ex-Cleveland demolition bureau chief charged with soliciting, taking bribes from contractors

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The former chief of the city of Cleveland’s demolition bureau was charged Friday with soliciting and taking thousands of dollars in bribes from contractors in exchange for a leg up in obtaining city jobs, federal prosecutors say.
Rufus Taylor, 60, is charged with bribery in a federally funded program, and extortion. The charges against him were filed via a criminal information, which usually means a plea agreement is forthcoming.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Taylor, as head of the bureau, gave preferential treatment to two unnamed contractors in exchange for information about upcoming projects for demolition and abatement. He and the contractors agreed to bribes in exchange for the information, and Taylor received cash over several years, authorities say. Taylor, a Cleveland resident, retired in January after working at the city for 30 years. His charges follow an investigation by the FBI and other agencies.
“Public contracts should go to the most qualified bidder, not the best connected,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said in a news release.
His attorney Michael Peterson declined to comment when reached Friday afternoon. The city declined to comment.

By Eric Heisig, cleveland.com