CIO Kazmi Pleads Guilty in Corruption Case

In Wayne County, Mich., former CIO Tahir Kazmi received a recommended sentence from prosecutors of four and a half to six years in prison after pleading guilty July 26, reported the Detroit Free Press. In February, the FBI accused Kazmi, 49, of helping an IT vendor get government contracts in return for cash, trips and other bribes for himself and his family.

Also involved in the case was Zayd Alleban, the county’s former director of enterprise applications, who was charged with obstruction of justice.

Kazmi “demanded” bribes from the county contractor, FBI Special Agent Robert Beeckman said. Kazmi received between $80,000 and $90,000 in cash, and trips to Hawaii, Orlando and Turkey. The vendor told the FBI that "Kazmi's demands grew over time and included forcing [the vendor] to pay for cellular telephones for Kazmi's children, airline tickets, hotel rooms and other things of value. Kazmi even demanded that [the vendor] give 49 percent of [the vendor's] company to Kazmi's brother-in-law."
 

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