Two former SF engineers charged with accepting bribes for construction permits after FBI probe

Two former San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) construction plan engineers have been charged with accepting bribes in return for expediting and approving building and construction plan permits, following an FBI investigation.

According to a criminal Information filed on 2 November 2023, Rodolfo “Rudy” Pada, 68, of Millbrae, California, began accepting bribes in 2003 and continued to do so until he retired in September 2017.

The Information alleges the bribes consisted of cash, free meals, drinks, and other benefits bestowed upon Pada by executives at a construction planning and design firm in return for Pada expediting and approving permits for building and construction plans.

In addition, Pada is alleged to have solicited, accepted, and concealed an interest-free $85,000 loan facilitated by a construction planning and design firm executive.

According to a separate Information filed on 2 November 2023, Cyril Yu, 41, of San Francisco, began accepting bribes in January 2018 and continued to do so until February 2021. The Information alleges the bribes consisted of cash, free meals, drinks, and other benefits bestowed upon Yu by executives at a construction planning and design firm in return for Yu expediting and approving permits for building and construction plans.

An information merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Pada and Yu were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, and a fine of up to $250,000. Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the US Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence.

The case is being prosecuted by the Corporate and Securities Fraud Section of the United States Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Ward and Ilham Hosseini are prosecuting the case, which is the result of an investigation by the FBI.