Former CEO of Detroit-Based Technology Company Pleads Guilty to Bribery

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2018-05-31

The former chief executive officer of FutureNet Group Inc., an information technology company, pleaded guilty for his role in orchestrating a scheme to bribe an official from the City of Detroit to obtain benefits for FutureNet, on May 30, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

Parimal D. Mehta, 54, of Northville, Michigan, pleaded guilty to one count of federal program bribery before U.S. District Judge Robert H. Cleland of the Eastern District of Michigan. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 27.

According to admissions made in connection with his plea, from 2009 through August 2016, Mehta hand-delivered more than $6,500 to Charles L. Dodd, the former Director of Detroit’s Office of Departmental Technology Services, including two cash bribes paid in the restroom of a Detroit-area restaurant in 2016. Dodd previously pleaded guilty to bribery on Sept. 27, 2016.

According to the plea agreement, Mehta sought preferential treatment for FutureNet in exchange for the bribes he paid to Dodd. Among other things, Mehta asked Dodd to cause FutureNet to be selected to fill open positions for contract personnel and to implement particular technological projects in various city departments. Mehta also asked Dodd to supply him with confidential information regarding Detroit’s internal operations, including information regarding Detroit’s internal budgets for particular technology projects and personnel, which would benefit FutureNet in its dealings with Detroit.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice

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