ATLANTA (AP) - A Georgia man has pleaded guilty to bribing a City of Atlanta official for a contract at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Hayat Choudhary, 58, of Lilburn, Georgia, paid the official, who worked in the city’s Department of Procurement, $20,000 to secure the contract, U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak said in a news release Friday.
The procurement department was responsible for acquiring services for the airport. In May 2017, the department announced it was looking for a vendor to establish and operate a kitchen and/or restaurant at the Ground Transportation Building. The facility would serve the taxi, limosine and rideshare drivers who provide transportation to passengers.
Choudhary is CEO of Atlanta Airport Shuttle Services, Inc., d/b/a Meskerem Restaurant. His company was one of the bidders for the contract and was awarded the deal after he paid the bribe, Pak’s office said.
“Choudhary tried to buy his way around a process that is meant to be fair to all contract applicants,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “His actions erode the public’s trust in government and that’s why the FBI and our law enforcement partners are determined to prosecute those who would undermine the integrity of how contracts are awarded.”
Choudhary pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery. Pak’s office did not say whether he has an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.