Two former San Francisco Department of Building Inspection construction plan engineers are under scrutiny, being charged for their involvement in an honest services wire fraud conspiracy. The United States Department of Justice reports that the two received bribes in return for speeding up and approving construction permits.
Rodolfo “Rudy” Pada, 68, of Millbrae, California, and Cyril Yu, 41, of San Francisco, had criminal charges filed against them yesterday. Evidence suggests Pada accepted bribes as far back as 2003, continuing through to his retirement in September 2017. To bribe Pada, a construction planning and design firm offered cash, meals, drinks, and other benefits. Pada in return, expedited and approved permits for building and construction plans. Additionally, the charges accuse him, of soliciting, accepting, and concealing an interest-free $85,000 loan from a planning and design firm executive.
The Information on Yu claims bribes were made from January 2018 to February 2021. He was similarly compensated with cash, meals, drinks, and other incentives from a construction planning and design firm, granting quicker permit processing for building and construction plans in return.
The United States Department of Justice reminds us that DBI is a regulatory body for San Francisco. It manages the enforcement of building, electric, plumbing, and housing codes for over 200,000 buildings in the city. DBI reviews and grants approval to construction plans, ensuring their legality and safety for the city’s inhabitants.
The United States Attorney’s Office’s Corporate and Securities Fraud Section is prosecuting the case, led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Ward and Ilham Hosseini.
Until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, those who are implicated are presumed innocent. Should they be convicted, Pada and Yu face a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a monetary fine of $250,000.
