News

Actions

Norfolk releases records, invoices of its dealings with plumber charged with bribery

Posted at 6:07 PM, Mar 25, 2013
and last updated 2013-03-26 14:01:05-04

Norfolk, Va. - Norfolk Councilman Andy Protogyrou, a lawyer, says it's time for the City to start answering some questions. Mainly, are the city plumbing supervisors accused of taking bribes still on the payroll?

We spoke to Protogyrou by phone today.

He says at tomorrow's city council gathering, he'll demand answers. The first part of the meeting will be in secret, and that's when they'll discuss this case.

Sources tell NewsChannel 3 federal authorities last summer seized records from Andrew T. Zoby's business in Norfolk. Prosecutors charged him last week with bribing two Norfolk construction supervisors to get preferential treatment. The bribes, according the the federal charge, were cash and services that totaled close to $40,000. The Norfolk supervisors were not named in the court paperwork.

Protogyrou, the councilman, says he believes the city kept these supervisors on the payroll even though it was clear they were under federal investigation. Tomorrow, he'll ask how long they stayed employed, and why.

The documents just released by Norfolk show the city was just doing business as usual with Andrew Zoby for the past year. Even though it was clear to some that he was facing a bribery investigation.

Tomorrow, the city council is scheduled to discuss this case in private. No one would answer even the simplest questions like are the city workers accused of taking bribes still employed? And why did the city keep working with a company when they knew it was under investigation.

See the documents below:

2006 Bid Award

Changes in Personnel

Sealed Bid

Notice of Award

Related story: 

Federal prosecutors say two Norfolk supervisors took thousands in bribes