Developer pleads guilty in Chicago bribery probe

The Chicago Tribune reports:

A key figure pleaded guilty today in the federal probe known as "Operation Crooked Code," an investigation of bribe-taking in the city's Zoning and Buildings Departments.

Beny Garneata, 44, a real estate developer and contractor, pleaded guilty to bribing a plumbing inspector and conspiracy and could face three years in prison when sentenced in August.
Garneata entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow. There is no plea agreement in his case or any indication that he is cooperating with the government in its investigation.

Garneata was among several people indicted in the case almost a year ago, including zoning investigators and inspectors. Garneata acknowledged Thursday that he passed $1,000 to a city plumbing inspector.

The Chicago Way.