Council staff plead guilty to taking bribes

摘要

Two former employees of Edinburgh City Council have pleaded guilty to receiving bribes for building contracts. Charles Owenson, 62, and James Costello, 44, took bribes from Kevin Balmer, 52, and Brendan Cantwell, 44, who were directors at the local firm ABC Limited. All four men admitted charges last week at the city's sheriff court and will return for sentencing next month. Owenson and Costello pleaded guilty to breaching the 1889 Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act. The man also admitted committing fraud and breaching proceeds of crime charges. The court heard how the former council workers accepted lap dances, free drinks and hospitality at football matches in return for awarding building contracts. The charges all relate to contracts awarded between 2006 and 2010.