Probation for two city inspectors who took bribes

DETROIT (AP) -- Two Detroit building inspectors have received probation after pleading guilty to bribery charges for taking money in exchange for ignoring code and permit violations. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette says that Detroit District Judge Kevin Robbins sentenced the inspectors Tuesday, following their Dec. 10 guilty pleas. The charges grow out of a FBI-Led Detroit Area Public Corruption Task Force case. Robbins sentenced 57-year-old Phil Lockhart of Detroit to two years' probation, the first 120 days on tethered house arrest. Schuette says Lockhart accepted $300 for ignoring a permit requirement for a residential construction project. The judge sentenced 54-year-old Delos Matthews of Farmington Hills to two years' probation. The attorney general says Matthews took a $200 bribe to approve electric circuits in a rental property that violated electrical codes. Published: Thu, Feb 27, 2014